CRAWLEY Town manager Sean O’Driscoll is keen to sign one of his former players to help give Reds the edge when they compete in League 1 for the first time.
Shaun Cooper played more then 200 times during a seven-year stay at Bournemouth and did enough to prove his old boss he can still cut the mustard during their 1-0 defeat at Woking last night.
Cooper, 28, played the first half in central midfield and in the second half dropped back into a three-man defence and in both positions looked impressive.
O’Driscoll saw enough of his former player to see he can still shine at League 1 level and is keen to negotiate a deal to keep him at Broadfield Stadium.
He said: “Shaun has surprisingly been released by Bournemouth. I’ve known him a long time and his versatility is probably his biggest asset and his biggest headache. You can trust him in various positions. He’s as good a League 1 central midfielder as there is and can also play centre half.
“If you haven’t got a big squad, to be able to change positions, change the structure gives you an edge.”
O’Driscoll also fielded two other trialists, former Arsenal and Watford striker Morgan Ferrier, 17, who showed plenty of pace on the left flank.
And Irish/French dual nationality goalkeeper Niall Burdon, 19, who represents the Republic of Ireland under-19s and has been playing in the French League for Stade Rennais.
He set up Nicky Adams with a good chance which flew narrowly wide near the end of the first half and often looked a handful for the Woking defence.
Burdon really shone when he came on as one of eight changes to the first half line-up at the start of the second half, making three excellent saves to deny Brett Johnson, Kevin Betsy and Loike Pires.
O’Driscoll said: “Morgan’s really only a youth team player but has got something about him. He’s got a good attitude and a good feel and was very impressive.
“We’re looking for a development goalkeeper and whether we sign Niall or Nick Liversedge, (ex-Darlington) will probably depend on finance.
“Again, for someone thrown in the deep end he’s given a good account of himself.”
O’Driscoll fielded his entire squad minus Claude Davis, who has a tight hamstring, and Sergio Torres rested a slight injury.
A seventh minute goal by Woking triallist Keiron St Amie decided the match when he seized upon a poor back pass from defence by Kyle McFadzean.
Woking might have taken the lead even ealier after McFadzean was adjudged to have brought down Greg Mills in the first minute and St Amie struck a tame penalty along the floor which was easily saved by Reds’ first half keeper Paul Jones.
Crawley then played their most entertaining football of the match with some good combination play using their fluid formation with up to four players joining the attack.
Billy Clarke looked sharp, curling a good free-kick on target and ending another move with a confident run and shot, both of which forced decent saves from keeper Mark Scott.
Nicky Adams also nearly scored on the turn but was denied with a clearance off the goalline by Brett Johnson.
The second half chances in personnel and to the formation, going to 3-5-2, reaped little reward in terms of chances on goal but did see some useful build-up play from the wings, but had difficulty getting shots on target.
Mark Connolly got forward well on the right flank to supply a cross to Josh Simpson, whose quickly-taken shot took a deflection off-target.
Hope Akpan made space to launch a drive on goal which keeper Scott caught.
Mat Sadler and Simposn both went narrowly wide following moves from either flank. Finally at the other end, Burdon performed two heroic saves which suggested he should be snapped up by the club.
CRAWLEY TOWN: (First half) - Paul Jones, David Hunt, Kyle McFadzean, Charlie Wassmer, Mat Sadler, Dannie Bulman, Shaun Cooper, Morgan Ferrier, Nicky Adams, Billy Clarke, Gary Alexander
Second half: Niall Burdon, Louis John, Shaun Cooper (Aaron Wickham 75), Kyle McFadzean (Charlie Wassmer 75, Jonty Smith 84), Mark Connolly, Josh Simpson, Hope Akpan, Mat Sadler (Scott Neilson 75), Scott Davies, Dan Evans, John Akinde
ATTENDANCE: 639