'We never give in' - Yems lauds Crawley Town's never-say-die attitude

John Yems hailed his Crawley Town side’s fight and desire after scoring a clutch of crucial late goals in recent weeks.
James Tilley celebrates his 92nd minute winner against Mansfield on March 13. Picture by Jamie Evans ©UK Sports Images LtdJames Tilley celebrates his 92nd minute winner against Mansfield on March 13. Picture by Jamie Evans ©UK Sports Images Ltd
James Tilley celebrates his 92nd minute winner against Mansfield on March 13. Picture by Jamie Evans ©UK Sports Images Ltd

James Tilley struck in the second minute of second half stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 home win over Mansfield Town in League Two on Saturday, March 13.

Three days later a 97th minute Tom Nichols penalty secured the Reds a share of the points in a 1-1 draw with Walsall at The People’s Pension Stadium.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And Yems’ side looked to have conjured more last-gasp heroics when Jack Powell scored with six minutes to go to make it 2-2 at Barrow on Saturday.

But Crawley received a taste of their own medicine as the Bluebirds netted a 96th minute winner to steal the win and leave the visitors returning to West Sussex empty-handed.

Yems said: “It completely turned on its head Saturday. I now know how the other teams feel.

“We never give in. We’re always there and we’re always fighting and that’s what we’ve got.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“If you haven’t got that attitude or that desire then you shouldn’t be on the pitch.

“That’s one thing that all the teams I’ve ever been associated with have.

“We keep trying right to the last minute.”

Crawley have the luxury of no midweek fixture this week – meaning the Reds will have their first full week off since February 6.

But next week will see Yems and his charges undertake two arduous journeys.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Following Saturday’s home game against Port Vale, Crawley will make a 692-mile round trip to 11th-placed Carlisle United on Tuesday evening, before they travel to Lincolnshire to take on 18th-placed Scunthorpe United on Good Friday, April 2.

Yems described the Reds’ forthcoming fixtures as ‘the week from hell’ and was left distinctly unimpressed with how the schedule had lined up for his side.

He added: “Next week we’ve got the week from hell, so it’s just preparing for that.

“How the fixtures and everything like that have allowed that to happen I do not know.

“It’s happened but it’s ridiculous.”