TASTE OF THE TERRACE: Murphy gave me ideal birthday present

My significantly advancing years were recognised by the gift of a hospitality package and I viewed the game from the best seat in the house.

I got a better look at the big picture from the directors’ box than Mark Yates could obtain on the touchline.

Happily what both of us could see was generally quite impressive.

I would have been happy with three valuable points as a birthday present but the strikers came up trumps scoring three excellent goals.

Matt Harold’s splendid shot on the turn for the opener was one thing but Rhys Murphy was on fire.

What is more both his goals were the product of great team play.

Mitch Hancox produced a lovely run and a pin-point pass to Rhys who headed his first while some classy inter-play allowed him to run into space before crashing home a beautiful second.

That lovely goal might prove counter-productive as struggling Oldham Athletic may well want their player back at the end of his loan in order to stave off the threat of relegation from League One.

Rhys has found a rich vein of form and importantly for a striker he is showing great accuracy.

Similarly, precision led to the Daggers scoring as a 60-yard pass to feet by Clevid Dikamona left the Reds’ defence at full stretch and led to Jamie Cureton’s goal.

Agonisingly their first had come just seconds after a seemingly valid shout for a penalty, when Harrold was brought down, had been waved away.

The busy Christmas fixture list leaves matters in our own hands and we ought to be able to collect a few more points.

The downside is that Crawley Town don’t do “ought to” matches very well. But whatever the outcome of the next few games the concern is that we might have to go into 2016 with a number of fresh faces in the side.

Bedding down might take time and we certainly couldn’t expect instant success. Nothing would be better than to be able to go into the New Year with all the current squad.

This time of year is notorious for poor attendances but 1543 reflects badly on this town. The club’s appeals and super offers were again ignored. I would urge you all to show your support.

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