Pemi Aderoju delivered a man-of-the-match performance to drive Crawley Town to their first league victory of the new campaign. The Reds edged past promoted Rochdale 2-1 at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday, with Louie Watson's penalty sealing the points.
Aderoju, on loan from Peterborough United, fired the visitors into an eighth-minute lead. Rochdale drew level nine minutes after the restart through Ethan Ebanks-Landell's header, but the Reds responded. Aderoju was fouled in the box to win a 72nd-minute penalty, which Watson converted to restore Crawley's lead and secure the win.
Standout performers
Aderoju earned the highest individual rating for his all-action display, which included his first goal for the club and the assist for the winner. "He battled extremely well at the top of the pitch," said manager Colin Kazim-Richards, praising the forward's contribution. Blackburn Rovers loanee Osman Kamara was also influential, providing the cross for the opening goal and causing constant problems down the left flank.
Defender Priestley Farquharson was praised for his superb one-on-one defending, while Ade Adeyemo marked his 100th appearance for Crawley with a dangerous attacking performance from midfield. Teenage goalkeeper Nick Michalski, making his first start on loan from Blackburn, made a key save to deny Mani Dieseruvwe an equaliser.
Team effort
The victory was built on a solid team display. Charlie Barker and Akin Odimayo provided disciplined defensive work, while captain Jude Arthurs and debutant Kai Jennings competed well in the centre of the park. The result lifts Crawley off the foot of the early League Two table and provides a platform ahead of their next fixture, a home match against Doncaster Rovers next weekend.
Substitutes Lewis Richards and Klaudio Krasniqi helped see out the win in the closing stages. The three points are a welcome boost for Kazim-Richards' side after an opening-day defeat, with the squad showing the resilience needed for a long season. Fans can check the latest squad information and player statistics on the official squad and stats pages.
