New Crawley boss Gabriele Cioffi makes winning start against Morecambe

Posted Sunday, September 16, 2018 by PA

New head coach Gabriele Cioffi celebrated victory in his first game in charge as Crawley eased to a 2-0 home win over struggling Morecambe.

Second-half goals from Ashley Nathaniel-George and Panutche Camara gave the Reds back-to-back wins for the first time since early February.

Striker Camara put a deflected shot wide for the hosts early on before later shooting wide from the edge of the area.

Former Bolton midfielder Filipe Morais went close for Crawley midway through the half when he put a curling effort wide from a pass by Nathaniel-George.

Crawley keeper Glenn Morris was called into action for the first time when he dived to keep out a low shot from Andrew Fleming.

The Reds broke the deadlock in fine style after 52 minutes with Nathaniel-George bursting through to slot his first goal for the club to the left of long-serving keeper Barry Roche.

Camara doubled the advantage only three minutes later from the centre of the area, putting the ball in at the second attempt after defensive slackness.

Cioffi,43, ran onto the field to celebrate with his players and was promptly booked by referee Alan Young.

Crawley have scored in every home game since Boxing Day and Bondz N’Gala and Ollie Palmer both went close as they dominated.

Liam Mandeville had a late free-kick tipped over the bar as Morecambe fell to their seventh defeat in eight league games.