[h=3]Albion keep run going at Crawley[/h]9:52pm Wednesday 24th July 2013 in Albion By Howard Griggs
Albion continued their unbeaten run in pre-season with a 2-0 victory over Crawley Town at the Broadfield Stadium.
A goal in each half from George Barker and Andrew Crofts, the latter a penalty, settled a lively contest.
The Seagulls have still not conceded from open play in four pre-season games to date.
Oscar Garcia fielded a younger side in the first half with starts for Barker, Jake Forster-Caskey, Solly March and Rohan Ince while leaving some of his bigger names on the bench.
Crawley began with a team close to what they will field in their League One opener at home to Coventry a week on Saturday.
Albion were on top in the first half but had to wait until the 33rd minute before making the breakthrough.
Kazenga LuaLua was the creator, bursting into the area before cutting the ball back for Barker to poke home from close range.
The hosts twice threatened to draw level in the opening stages of the first half.
First Peter Brezovan, one of two interval changes, kept out Jamie Proctor’s header from point-blank range, then an offside flag denied Billy Clarke after he got a touch to Nicky Adams’ low free-kick from the left.
Albion doubled their advantage just before the hour-mark when Mat Sadler tripped Ashley Barnes for a penalty and Andrew Crofts converted.
Oscar made a further seven changes soon after and one of them, Liam Bridcutt, rattled the crossbar from 25 yards minutes after coming on.
Mike Jones responded in kind for Crawley, striking the bar from a similar distance on 78 minutes.
It was a good exercise for both teams, Oscar giving more game time to 22 players while Crawley boss Richie Barker, who used only 13, got 90 minutes into most of his players.
For a full report, reaction and pictures see The Argus tomorrow.
Original article
Albion continued their unbeaten run in pre-season with a 2-0 victory over Crawley Town at the Broadfield Stadium.
A goal in each half from George Barker and Andrew Crofts, the latter a penalty, settled a lively contest.
The Seagulls have still not conceded from open play in four pre-season games to date.
Oscar Garcia fielded a younger side in the first half with starts for Barker, Jake Forster-Caskey, Solly March and Rohan Ince while leaving some of his bigger names on the bench.
Crawley began with a team close to what they will field in their League One opener at home to Coventry a week on Saturday.
Albion were on top in the first half but had to wait until the 33rd minute before making the breakthrough.
Kazenga LuaLua was the creator, bursting into the area before cutting the ball back for Barker to poke home from close range.
The hosts twice threatened to draw level in the opening stages of the first half.
First Peter Brezovan, one of two interval changes, kept out Jamie Proctor’s header from point-blank range, then an offside flag denied Billy Clarke after he got a touch to Nicky Adams’ low free-kick from the left.
Albion doubled their advantage just before the hour-mark when Mat Sadler tripped Ashley Barnes for a penalty and Andrew Crofts converted.
Oscar made a further seven changes soon after and one of them, Liam Bridcutt, rattled the crossbar from 25 yards minutes after coming on.
Mike Jones responded in kind for Crawley, striking the bar from a similar distance on 78 minutes.
It was a good exercise for both teams, Oscar giving more game time to 22 players while Crawley boss Richie Barker, who used only 13, got 90 minutes into most of his players.
For a full report, reaction and pictures see The Argus tomorrow.
Original article