Crawley Green battle back to beat Baldock Town

Crawley Green fought back from a goal down to beat Baldock Town 3-1 in a real game of two halves in Molten Spartan SML Division One on Saturday.

Josh Butina gave the visitors the lead after 12 minutes, but the Maroons netted second half goals through Johnny Butler (65), Henry Mungwira (70) and Hayden Wills (75) to triumph.

Matt Baldry headed Daniel Meade’s fifth-minute free-kick straight at Baldock keeper Nicky Stillwell, but from then on Baldock started to impose themselves on the game.

Ross Haskins and Josh Furness caused problems down the left flank with some pinpoint passing and the visitors almost took the lead on eight minutes when Ross Hankin intercepted a ball in midfield and Butana was on hand to convert his cross, only to be adjudged offside.

Four minutes later Butana opened the scoring when Crawley lost possession and he converted a Furness through ball.

Moments later, Crawley keeper Dean Bull produced the first of his three wonder saves to keep the score at 1-0, as he foiled Lee Harkin after a strong run from midfield.

On the stroke of half time Crawley were given a way back into the game when the hard working Chris Gibson was fouled in the penalty area, only for Stillwell to save Daniel Meade’s penalty.

Baldock started the second half as they finished the first as Bull produced another great save to deny Harkin three minutes in.

Furness was next to be denied two minutes later as Bull’s heroics seemed to spur Crawley on.

And their persistence was rewarded when Craig Savage’s long throw was cleared only as far as Butler, who rounded Stillwell to equalise.

Crawley took the lead five minutes later when substitute Mungwira converted Stuart Strange’s cross.

Sustained Crawley pressure forced a second penalty when Gibson was again fouled in area and this time Wills fired home to put the game beyond Baldock.

Meanwhile, the Maroons were held to a goalless home draw by Harpenden Town on Wednesday night.

Crawley had the majority of play and created numerous chances, with Peter O’Donnell missing four good opportunities.

Crawley go to Bedford tonight, host Kings Langley on Saturday and visit Southall on Wednesday week.