Crawley Green book Bedfordshire Senior Trophy final spot

Goals from Matt Baldry (35), Stuart Strange (63) and Richard Pringle (90) saw Crawley Green beat Wootton Blue Cross 3-0 as they qualified for the final of the Bedfordshire Senior Trophy on Saturday.

As a result they will face fellow Molten Spartan SML Division One side Bedford in the final at Langford FC.

At the fourth time of asking Crawley’s first team finally progressed, although the game was transferred to Crawley’s plastic pitch at the last minute after the referee ruled that three puddles in the centre of the pitch constituted a major health and safety hazard issue.

Crawley completely dominated the game from the start as Strange had an early shot well saved by Joe O’Donnell in the Wootton goal.

Peter O’Donnell set up Jamie Warne on 16 minutes, but his shot was kept out by Joe O’Donnell, who then saved well from Nicky Nolan.

The host finally took the lead on 35 minutes when Baldry glanced home Peter O’Donnell’s cross.

Wootton created their best chance of the game early in the second half when Dan Butler crossed for Carl Ramsey, but his header went wide.

Crawley continued to dominate as Peter O’Donnell had a shot well saved on 55 minutes, while Strange and Peter O’Donnell had efforts kept out before they doubled their lead after 63 minutes when Craig Savage laid the ball through to Strange who finished well.

O’Donnell hit the bar and Dean Bull saved well from Wootton’s Ramsey in the closing stages, before

Crawley wrapped up the win in the final minute when Peter O’Donnell set up Pringle to make it 3-0.

Unfortunately Crawley’s win was marred as Warne broke his wrist in a fall.

This Wednesday Crawley visit Welwyn Garden City in the league and on Saturday Crawley entertain Hertford Town in the second round of the Challenge Trophy.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, Crawley Green’s home game with Hertford Town in the second round of the Molten Spartan SML Challenge Trophy was postponed.

Attendance: 20.