Nolan header earns Crawley Green well-deserved Welwyn Garden City win

A thumping header from Nicky Nolan after 67 minutes secured Crawley a deserved 1-0 win over in-form Welwyn Garden City in Molten Spartan SML Division One on Wednesday night.

In a thoroughly entertaining game it was the visitors who started well and they almost took the lead in the first minute.

Welwyn’s leading scorer Jason Caswell broke through, but his shot was turned away by Dean Bull in the Crawley goal and the ball scrambled clear.

Crawley replied with a good run down the left from Liam Toomey but his cross was easily collected by Joe Croft.

WGC’s Caswell again broke clear after 11 minutes but his shot flew wide of the right hand post, while Isaac Oppong then had two efforts well saved by Bull.

Crawley slowly fought their way into the game, with Stuart Strange seeing his lob saved by Croft after a good run down the right on 33 minutes.

Henry Mungwira then had two efforts blocked by Croft and, just before the break, Mungwira raced through again but his shot went wide of the left-hand post.

In the second half Welwyn again started brightly as Caswell had an effort punched clear by Bull.

Crawley proceeded to take control of the game, with Jamie Warne a constant threat down the left.

Warne smashed in Mungwira’s cross on 53 minutes, but the ball bounced off Carl Costaine standing on the line.

The Maroons had further efforts from Toomey, Warne and Peter O’Donnell and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 67 minutes.

Daniel Mead whipped in a free-kick from the right and Nolan rose unchallenged to head firmly past Croft to make it 1-0.

Shortly after Warne had another shot blocked and O’Donnell fired a free-kick over the bar with 11 minutes to play.

Crawley defended well in the closing stages and always looked dangerous on the break as O’Donnell shot just wide from a Toomey cross in the final minutes.

On Saturday Crawley travel to Risborough Rangers and their reserves entertain Bromham United in the Beds Intermediate Cup.

Attendance: 30.