Heartbreak for Crawley Town as Last-Gasp Watford Screamer Knocks Them Out of EFL Cup
It was heartbreak for Crawley Town this afternoon (Saturday, August 8) as the Reds slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Championship side Watford, with a late goal just before the final whistle denying the Reds a penalty shootout - which their defensive display perhaps deserved.
Head coach Colin Kazim-Richards made one change from the victory over York City on Monday night (August 3), with Akin Odimayo coming in for Priestley Farquharson, who picked up a knock in that game.
The first 15 minutes was all Watford as the Championship side caused Crawley plenty of problems, especially with Kwaduo Baah down the right side against Ade Adeyemo, with the first corner coming after just two minutes.
Despite all the possession (60.3%), Watford didn’t really cause Vito Mannone too many problems in the Crawley goal.
Crawley’s first attacking effort came after 17 minutes, but Stephen Duke-McKenna’s cross couldn’t find anyone in the box.
This seemed to give Crawley a bit of confidence, and Charlie Barker forced Federico Ravaglia into a save from Duke-McKenna’s free kick before Malcolm Ebiowei shot over the bar on 24 minutes.
However, Watford still had chances.
Danish under-21 striker Luca Kjerrumgaard had a couple go over the bar, and then forced Mannone into a save from close range.
Watford’s best chance fell to Matthew Pollock just before half time but his header was superbly saved by Mannone.
The second half continued in much the same vain as the first, with Watford in the ascendancy.
Iker Bravo shot wide from just outside the six-yard box, Kjerrumgaard hit the post which rebounded to Amin Nabizada, but it hit him rather than he hit it and it went wide.
Crawley’s first corner of the game came in the 58th minute.
Ade Adeyemo had the only shot for Crawley in the second half, but it went well over the bar.
Iker Bravo had two shots just before Adeyemo’s effort - one superbly saved by Mannone and the other flying wide.
Watford had a total of 36 shots on goal, but it was the 11th and final effort from Marc Bola from 25 yards that flew into the net and past the diving Mannone nine minutes into stoppage time.
Crawley can be very proud of their performance this afternoon though, and it can only bode well for their first League Two assignment next Saturday (August 15) at home to Crewe Alexandra.
What Happened?
Crawley Town's EFL Cup campaign came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to Championship side Watford.
Why It Matters for Crawley Town
The Reds can be proud of their defensive display, but it wasn't enough to secure a penalty shootout.
What Comes Next?
Crawley Town will look to bounce back from this defeat with a win in their first League Two assignment next Saturday (August 15) at home to Crewe Alexandra.
Next fixture: vs Rotherham (at home, 2027-02-27) (17th in the table).
