Green knocked out of Division One Cup

Crawley Green bowed out of the Division One Cup when they suffered a 2-0 defeat at Risborough Rangers on Tuesday night.
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Meeting for the second time in three days, the game adopted a similar pattern with Crawley conceding after 12 minutes.

Peter O’Donnell lost possession on the edge of the box and the ball fell to James Shrimpton who curled his shot past Dean Bull.

The Maroons almost replied with a Lui Sarrington corner which was punched clear by Steve Clark.

Rangers should have doubled their lead after 22 minutes when Jake Dell broke through but his chipped shot went over.

Crawley’s Anthony Wright then had a shot which flew just wide of Clark’s right hand post and Nicky Nolan headed off target from Liam Toomey cross.

On the half hour, the hosts doubled their lead as Crawley were caught out by a long free kick from Joel Read, and Matt Baldry lost the flight of the ball only managing to divert the ball into his own net.

Before the break Dell again shot wide for the hosts and the lively Anthony Wright had another effort go close.

The second half was completely dominated by Crawley who forced three corners in the opening five minutes all of which were scrambled clear.

Toomey saw his effort deflected wide as Rangers looked to soak up the pressure and hit Crawley on the break.

The tactic almost worked on the hour when Andy Austin crossed for Lewis Dean but his header was well saved by Bull.

Green continued to press and Glen Freeman set up Daniel Mead but his shot was saved by Clark, while Toomey had two efforts go just wide and Jamie Sawyer’s volley was saved.

Crawley poured forward in the closing stages and in the 82nd minute Ashley Denniss set up Chris Harvey but his volley cannoned off the bar.

In the five minutes of added time, keeper Bull became a permanent fixture in the Rangers penalty area as Crawley tried in vain to reduce the arrears.

Ultimately though, they paid the penalty for a poor start as Rangers set up a quarter-final tie at Winslow United.

Crawley are without a game this weekend, while their reserves entertain Stony Stratford Town.