Nicky Adams called his first minute screamer the best goal of his career.
Adams found the top corner with a stunning left-foot shot just 14 seconds into Saturday’s Third Round tie against Reading, emphatically answering boss Richie Barker’s call for a high tempo start. Reading’s Premier League class told in the end though, as Adam Le Fondre scored twice in a 3-1 win.
He said: “It was a great start, you could not ask for any better, it lifted the roof off.
“When it came to me, I thought ‘drive at the back four, and why not have a go?’ I could not have hit it any better, it is the best goal I have ever scored, it was definitely the best of my career, especially coming against a Premier League side.”
Adams combined with Billy Clarke to really stretch the Reading defence, and particularly in the first half, had the beating of Ian Harte, who appeared in a Champions League semi final while at Leeds. He added: “I thought we played some really good stuff. I don’t fear anyone, I will have a go at them and take them on. I just thought ‘why not, test yourself against the best.’”
Crawley’s hopes were effectively dashed by a penalty early in the second half though, even though Adams was insistent Joe Walsh’s challenge on Noel Hunt was clean – with Hunt even indicating it was not a foul.
Adams added: “At 2-1 you are still int he game, but 3-1 just kills the momentum. But we carried on going and their keeper made a few good saves.
“The third goal killed us though, it was not a penalty and their lad said it was not so what can you do?”