Crawley Town 3, Mansfield Town 2: Ashley Nadesan at the double as Reds move out of the relegation zone with win

Ashley Nadesan’s double helped Crawley Town to a 3-2 home win over fourth-placed Mansfield Town this (Saturday) afternoon – and lifted the Reds out of the League Two relegation zone.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Crawley are now 21st in the table, after gaining six points in their last two league games. Since the temporary appointment of Lewis Young, who has now steered the Reds to three consecutive wins, the club has risen two places in the table and are now above Rochdale, Colchester and Hartlepool.

Young, who took charge of the club almost two weeks ago, has transformed the atmosphere around the club and is now in a great position to be given the permanent role.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mansfield travelled to the Broadfield Stadium off the back of a five-game unbeaten run. having not lost in the league since the end of August.

Ashley Nadesan’s double helped Crawley Town to a 3-2 home win over fourth-placed Mansfield Town this (Saturday) afternoon – and lifted the Reds out of the League Two relegation zone. Pictures courtesy of Cory PickfordAshley Nadesan’s double helped Crawley Town to a 3-2 home win over fourth-placed Mansfield Town this (Saturday) afternoon – and lifted the Reds out of the League Two relegation zone. Pictures courtesy of Cory Pickford
Ashley Nadesan’s double helped Crawley Town to a 3-2 home win over fourth-placed Mansfield Town this (Saturday) afternoon – and lifted the Reds out of the League Two relegation zone. Pictures courtesy of Cory Pickford

Despite scoring two in the first half and drawing the game level before the break, Nigel Clough’s side didn’t replicate their resilience in the games second portion.

Nadesan starred for Crawley, putting his side ahead with two early goals in each half. Broadfield Stadium was in jubilation after the break when Nadesan cut inside from a long-ball and slotted pass Mansfield’s Christy Pym.

Crawley’s number ten also opened the scoring in the second minute when his strike found the bottom-right corner.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The dynamic duo of Nadesan and Tom Nichols was in full force against the Stags. Aside from scoring Crawley’s second goal, Nichols set up both of Nadesan’s goal with two clever passes. The pair are now the clubs’ joint-top scorers this season with four each.

Nadesan fires the Reds ahead in the second minuteNadesan fires the Reds ahead in the second minute
Nadesan fires the Reds ahead in the second minute

Crawley’s Tom Fellows went down in the first half with a head injury which stopped play for five minutes. After being eventually subbed off for Jayden Davis in the 71st minute, the Reds will be hoping Fellows stays match-fit following his terrific start to the season.

Mansfield clawed their way back into the first half with goals from Jordan Bowery and George Lapslie. Their first from Bowery, was from a penalty after Nichols’s raised hand struck the ball from a Mansfield throw in.