Whitehawk 6 Crawley Town 1: Reds humbled by lower league opposition

Sam Deering scored a second half hat-trick which included two from the penalty spot and there were also goals by Jake Robinson and Sam Gargan and Osei Sankafa.

For Crawley Lewis Young netted to give them an early lead but they then soon went behind as Whitehawk scored twice in seven minutes to go into half-time at 2-1.

The second half proved to be a one-sided affair featuring Joe Walsh’s sending-off for a stamping and four more goals.

By contrast Crawley offered almost nothing in attack in an embarassing second half.

Crawley handed debuts to two triallists, Brazilian goalkeeper Evandro Rachoni De Lima and Australian attacking midfielder Matt Fletcher.

Reds played a team of fringe players with only skipper Joe Walsh and Sonny Bradley remaining from Saturday’s starting line-up which drew 2-2 with MK Dons.

Whitehawk included Reds legend Sergio Torres who drew huge vocal support from both sets of fans.

The Hawks made the better start, pushing into Reds’ half and keeping possession.

But it was Crawley who took the lead in the 17th minute with their first chance on goal.

It was put way well by Lewis Young from the right of the penalty area, supplied by Matt Harrold after the Hawks gave the ball away.

Charlie Banya blasted wide after a corner had not been properly cleared by the Whitehawk defence.

But Whitehawk soon equalised just four minutes later when a drive by Nick Arnold was parried by De Lima only bas far as scorer Jake Robinson.

Whitehawk then took the lead in the 28th minute, taking advantage of a poor back-pass by Ryan Richefond did not reach De Lima and Robinson cut back for Sam Gargan to find the net.

Crawley then ended the half putting their hosts on the back foot as Matt Harrold, who was playing in his more familar role as a striker, had a shot saved and then headed a cross from Charlie Banya over the bar.

Whitehawk increased their lead to 3-1 just two minutes into the second half when De Lima was unable to clear a corner by Robinson and Osei Sankofa netted from six yards.

Whitehawk then played some attractive football with a fine move which ended in Deering blasting off-target.

The home side made it 4-1 when Walsh was shown a red card for a clash with John-Paul Kissock and Deering scored from the ensuing penalty.

Deering then added two more goals to complete his hat-trick, the first with a shot into the far corner and the third another penalty awarded after De Lima brought down Sergio Makofo.

REDS: De Lima, Richefond, Bawling, Bradley, Walsh, Young, Banya, Harrold, O’Connor, Anderson, Fletcher (Smith 72).

Unused subs: Elliott, Oyebanjo, McLeod, Ward.

WHITEHAWK: Ross, Arnold, Hills, Ijaha (Abdulla 69), Sankofa, Cadmore, Kissock (Makofo 65), Torres (Guyonnet 75), Robinson, Gargan, Deering.

Unused subs: Mills, Kujabi

REFEREE: David Spain

ATTENDANCE: 225