Fringe players given chance to stake claim for a start

By StAlbans People | Friday, August 06, 2010, 08:00

STEVE Evans made the most of the depth of his squad on Saturday as he gave his first choice XI the weekend off.

Michel Kuipers, Danny Hall, Adam Quinn, Simon Rusk, Steve Masterton, Sergio Torres, Pablo Mills and Matt Tubbs were all left at home as the fringe players were given an opportunity to stake their claim for a starting berth for the visit of Grimsby Town on August 14.

Youth team player Gerald Akosha was handed a start in central defence, while new signing Chris Flood played his first 90 minutes since joining the club just two weeks ago.

Triallist Marvin Kamara also featured on the right wing.

Despite failing to break down the St Albans defence, it was mission accomplished for the Reds as last year’s stars Ben Smith, Barry Cogan and Eddie Hutchinson all got some game time under their belts.

Evans said: “If we had wanted to win the match we would have brought on Craig McAllister, who was the only player here you would expect to start the first game.

“Today was about fitness and game time.

“Players like Barry Cogan, Eddie Hutchinson and Ben Smith needed it.”

There was another minus point for Town as Jamie Cook, who had the visitors’ best chances in the match, went off injured after sustaining a knock on his ankle, but he is expected to be fit for the start of the Blue Square Premier campaign.

Crawley had the better of the early exchanges. Cogan shot wide and Kamara was denied by Everitt, while at the other end Nick Jordan staked his claim by acrobatically tipping over a Chris Sullivan effort from 25 yards.

A quiet game sprang to life in the last 15 minutes as Flood went close on three occasions, sending one header wide, having one saved and the final one hitting the bar. Aidy Chaves shot just wide for the hosts and Inih Effiong was denied by another super stop from Jordan as the match ended goalless.

Crawley Town: Jordan, Napper, Ryan, Hutchinson, Akosha, Cogan, Kamara, Smith, Cook (Malcolm 71), Enver-Marum, Flood, Unused subs: McAllister, Brewer, Dodd.