Crawley Town were beaten but not outclassed by Charlton Athletic in a pre-season friendly at the Broadfield Stadium tonight.
Danny Green’s first-half free kick separated the sides in a 1-0 defeat, but the Reds controlled the game for long spells and were unlucky not to level with a couple of decent second half chances against the League 1 champions.
As their search for a striker continues, Crawley fielded former Crystal Palace striker Calvin Andrew - who had been linked with a move to the Broadfield in the past. The free agent was released by The Eagles in June, after a season in which he made 19 appearances, which included 11 for Leyton Orient, and scored once.
Andrew was joined up front by John Akinde to form a muscular strike force, while Chris Powell’s Charlton afforded the Reds plenty of respect by naming a strong first team squad.
After a bright but nontheless quiet opening, Charlton’s former Reds keeper Ban Hamer was called into action in the 15th minute, tipping a low Scott Neilson shot round the post, before Andrew’s flicked header flew past the post from the resulting corner.
Crawley zipped the ball around nicely at times, and so did The Addicks, who went down the right flank through Chris Solly whenever they threatened.
The visitors went ahead when Claude Davis conceded a free kick, and Danny Green stepped up to curl his effort round the wall and beyond a scrambling Paul Jones in the Crawley goal. The Reds very nearly hit back soon after that 24th minute goal, when unmarked Davis’ thumping header flew over from ten yards.
Crawley, managed again by caretaker Craig Brewster, were comfortable for long periods, but might have fallen further behind when Danny Haynes chased a clever through ball, but slipped at the vital moment.
Sergio Torres stung Hamer’s palms with a dipping long range effort on 37 minutes, but there was one more moment of danger for the Reds at the end of the first half, as Charlie Wassmer was robbed by Michael Smith when he opted to take a touch in his own six yard box, but Davis was on hand to rescue the situation.
The Reds were lively at the start of the second half too, with Scott Neilson heading just past the post and yet more snappy passing on a pitch slickened by a half time downpour.
Both sides made sweeping changes mid-way through the half, and one of those changes had a presentable chance on the edge of the box but his attempted off the outside of his boot trickled harmlessly wide. Crawley continued to have the pick of the chances, as after a slick move Gary Alexander smashed a cross-shot towards the near post and Hamer had to save from Michael Morrison’s sliced clearance. The Reds were unable to level, but can take heart from their continued level performance against Championship opposition.
Crawley Town: Paul Jones, David Hunt, Claude Davis, Charlie Wassmer, Mat Sadler, Scott Davies, Serio Torres, Scott Neilson, Shaun Cooper, John Akinde, Calvin Andrew.
Subs: Michel Kuipers, Mark Connolly (on for Hunt 65), Kyle McFadzean (on for Davis 65), Hope Akpan (on for Torres 65), Dannie Bulman (on for Neilson 65), Nicky Adams (on for Cooper 65), Gary Alexander (on for Akinde 65), Billy Clarke (on for Andrew 65), Josh Simpson (on for Davies 65).
Charlton: Ben Hamer, Chris Solly, Matt Taylor, Dorian Dervite, Rhoys Wiggins, Scott Wagstaff, Danny Green, Danny Hollands, Jordan Cook, Danny Haynes, Michael Smith.
Subs: Cedric Evina (on for Solly 78), John Sullivan (on for Wiggins 78), Johnnie Jackson (on for Green 61), Leon Cort, Michael Morrison (on for Dervite 61), Bradley Pritchard (on for Hollands 68), Dale Stephens (on for Wagstaff 68), Salim Korkar (on for Cook 78), Yann Kermorgant (on for Smith 61), Lawrie Wilson (on for Taylor 68), Bradley Wright-Phillips (on for Haynes 68).