Given that we’re in the run up to Christmas it came as no surprise that we all witnessed a pantomime last night, although I certainly didn’t expect it would be played out at the County Ground. What a performance it was…from Crawley Town manager Steve Evans and his staff in the dugout!

pic: swindontownfc.co.uk

Throughout the 90 minutes and extra time Evans put on a performance and certainly fitted the villain of the piece. Incessantly berating the officials at every decision, patronising  the officials when a decision was awarded in favour of Town and contradicting himself at every turn in his actions and what he asked for from his players.

I couldn’t agree more with Wilson’s view that “the decision of the referee (to dismiss Douglas) rested with the reaction of the (Crawley) players and management.” Evans egged on his players to surround the referee and Glenn Wilson to fain injury. Of course the weak referee, who had little control over the match as a whole, gave in and issued the dismissal. A 3 game ban for Douglas after he’s only just returned from injury…that’s the last thing we need.

The general reactions and character of the Crawley squad and management reflected their manager, who, let us not forget, has often been embroiled in off the pitch controversy during his managerial career at Boston United.  According to Wikipedia, Evans was found guilt by the FA of impeding an FA inquiry into contract irregularities and was suspended from football for 20 months. Accused of fraud in 2005, although Evans denied this. Fined for using insulting or abusive words to a match official in 2005 and later had to be escorted from a ground in 2006. Later in 2006 Evans pleaded guilty to conspiracy to evade tax and received a one-year suspended sentence and a fine.

Despite Evans’ actions he got his tactics right after the Douglas red card. All credit to him for adding to his forward line and his team for putting on pressure after pressure after pressure on the Town defence. I’ve perhaps never seen Town be so dominated after going down to 10 men and lest not forget this is a Conference side, albeit a strong team looking towards the Football League. When Wilson replaced Ritchie with Sheehan and made the switch to 5 at the back shortly after half time we stood no chance.

We had 75 minutes to hold out, so it was a bit surprising that it took Crawley until the 120th minute to get the winner after hitting the bar numerous times.

So with Town sent out of the FA Cup before the 3rd Round and failing to meet Fitton’s expectations again this season after not progressing in the JP Trophy, for how much longer can Wilson continue to ride on 2009/2010 and the run to Wembley?