You win some, you lose some but testing fixture for Crawley Town arguably called for more experience - opinion

Perhaps there should be no shame since it happened away at the league leaders Cambridge United. It was a tough ask although skipper George Francomb thought his side’s performance was simply not good enough.

Team selection also proved crucial as Josh Wright and Jordan Maguire-Drew made their league debuts and an ambitious triple substitution in the 68th minute led to Davide Rodari making a similar introduction. I am not against such daring but this was a testing fixture that arguably called out for experience. You win some, you lose some.

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Defensively Crawley looked strong on the flanks but rather uncertain in the middle despite fielding a defensive midfield cover. That, however, led to a shortfall in creativity in midfield and despite another genuine team effort it was the work of individuals that counted.

The opening goal by Joe Ironside from a tame free kick was embarrassing. It was hard to see just what bamboozled our defence in the goal area but the outcome was plain. Reds’ equaliser just three minutes later was a delight.

Tom Nichols released Sam Matthews on the right flank from the halfway line and the he reached the United goal line in time to collect a diagonal return pass which he impishly back heeled to an unmarked Jake Hessenthaler who glided home a picture book goal.

Despite having the edge for most of the first half the Reds were stung by conceding again in added time when Kyle Knoll crashed in an unstoppable shot from 22 yards with a precision rarely seen in a right back. A late third by Wes Hoolahan flattered the home side and was a poor reward for another top class display by Glenn Morris.

The disrupted schedule, a more adventurous approach to the January transfer window and the solidity of the opposition all combined to bring about a disappointing afternoon that followed an unrewarded trip on Tuesday.

The lads gave their all at Dean Court but Bournemouth are among the Championship front runners for good reasons. One of those is Jack Wilshere who swept home a splendid opener from twenty yards. Crawley levelled with a brave header from Tom Nichols that came a couple of minutes after he had been denied a penalty. Justice was done for the striker and that was also the case for his opposite number, the Cherries’ Josh King, who scored the winner.

There was no shame in this result, the better team won on the night and it was another great cup run.