Crawley Green see off Hertford in Challenge Trophy

Crawley Green progressed into the thir round of the Molten Spartan SML Challenge Trophy with a comfortable 2-1 home victory over Premier Division Hertford Town on Wednesday night.

The visitors, who arrived late due to an accident and never really got into the game, pulled a goal back deep into injury time to make for a flattering.

Crawley completely dominated the first half as Lui Sarrington, John Butler and the lively Henry Mungwira all went close in the opening minutes.

Nick Nolan whipped in a free kick on 15 minutes and Mungwira headed just over the bar, while a minute later Crawley deservedly took the lead when Dean Bull’s clearance was helped on by Nick Nolan to set up Mungwira to make it 1-0.

Mungwira had a point blank-shot saved by Harry Ricketts soon after, who then tipped over another Mungwira effort before denying him once again on the half-hour mark.

A Hertford free kick was then punched clear just before the break by Bull as the Maroons led 1-0.

Crawley continued to dominate in the second half as Matt Baldry had a header cleared from an Adam Reid corner.

And the hosts doubled their lead on 52 minutes when Reid fired in a free-kick from the right and Butler headed firmly past Ricketts.

Hertford raised their game as Leigh Rose and Adam Lawton both went close for the visitors.

As Hertford pushed forward Rose had a header saved by Bull and Crawley should have sealed the game with a quick break.

New signing Kene Oguagu broke free to set up Mungwira, but his shot was again well saved by Ricketts.

Shortly after the impressive Ricketts was injured in a collision with Oguagu and Hertford’s full-back Tegana James had to take over in goal.

And the visitors netted a consolation goal in the seventh minute of injury time through skipper Tommy Wade.

Hertford surged forward and created one more chance which Rose hooked wide as the Luton side saw out the nine minutes of stoppage-time.

Crawley Green will now visit Cockfosters in the next round.

Crawley go to Kings Langley in Division One on Saturday and host Arlesey Town Res on Wednesday.

Attendance: 32.