Saturday 2nd September 2006     Crawley 0 v 2 Vics

Having overcome a tentative opening 25 minutes Vics gradually grew in confidence to eventually dominate proceedings to run out convincing winners.
Tony Scully cleared the bar with an early shot and Brayson made astute use of a Battersby through ball to win a corner before Strevens looped a header onto the roof of the net from a Scully corner as part of a frantic opening. Strevens again failed to find the target from another Scully corner and when play switched Brayson and Carr combined to force Hamer to save at the foot of his post.

Neither defence looked comfortable and Hiley surged forward to set up Blackburn but his finish lacked accuracy. Again play switched and Allan set Brayson clear but his shot was blocked and then a Mayman cross left Carr in the perfect goal scoring position but he dwelled too long on the ball allowing Hiley to get across and clear from the front of his goal. Barwick ceded possession to Blackburn and he brought Scully into play on the right but his cross flew across the Vics goal eluding everyone.

Jake Edwards then missed the best chance of the game thus far when he shot tamely into the arms of Connett after Scully had again proved to be an effective provider. Vics confidence was visibly growing as they gradually began to take command to finish the half the stronger and almost took the lead when Allan headed a Brown corner wide after more good work from Mayman.

A growing confidence in the Vics ranks continued to manifest itself and after the home skipper Danny Brown miscued a Ryan Brown cross Danny MAYMAN gained possession 25 yards from goal on the right to fire a low left foot shot into the far corner of the net and cement Vics ascendancy. From now on Vics dominated the game with the kind of flowing football we have come to expect and a pleasing confidence and competence in defence.

Another quality long ball from the increasingly impressive Ryan Brown almost set a rejuvenated Paul Brayson clear but his initial shot was blocked and the Allan follow up was deflected wide. Brayson might have added a second when set clear by Allan but his final shot lacked the necessary venom and then the same player again went close with a header from a Carr cross. The second goal that was increasingly on the cards was not much longer in coming but it did involve an horrendous mistake by Dave Woozley that left BRAYSON clear on goal and he calmly rounded the keeper before sliding a shot into an empty goal.

The home side did attempt to rally without asking any questions of Connett and Vics almost added a third goal when substitute Byrne sidestepped two challenges to set up Allan but his drive was beaten away by Hamer.
In the end Vics won, with both a refreshing degree of comfort and, with a renewed confidence that bodes well.
Griffiths had his best game to date and Brown and Mayman provided new purpose to the team while Brayson and Allan started to look menacing once more.

Attendance: 778
Man of the Match: Paul Brayson