Crofton visited Castleford knowing they hadn't won there ever. It is a tight and compact pitch which doesn't suit Crofton's style of play and has been the undoing in previous encounters.
A change of formation to help distribute the ball quicker to the front men, while possibly giving the opposition a easier ride in their attack was the gamble. 3-4-3 from the off. With the 3 at the back holding strong and midfielders working hard to add to the numbers, this became a sound basis for which to show the flowing moves of earlier league fixtures.
It took 5 minutes for excellent team passing to open Castleford up for the first of the half's Crofton goals. Lukas, cool and calm infront of goal for all 3 before the half time whistle was blown. Angus provided a pivotel role in the centre forward role with touch perfect passes to open the defence for Lukas to thunder and place into the net. It could of been more. With plenty of break away moves from just inside Crofton's own half. A little bit more composure with first touches and finishing strikes should of made the game unasailable for the home side. Shanny, Angus, Lukas, Joe and Jimmy all caused problems for the home defence and goal keeper.
Castleford didn't get a look in, the home fans quietly watching and admiring Crofton stroll the ball from one player to the next.
3 - nil at half time, all is well.
Discussions about the previous weeks game against Ackworth, where the opposition dominated the second half were the main points made at half time. Castlford had to score early to get themselves back into the game.
Castleford had a plan for the second half, get it to their number 8 and shoot as often as possible. Crofton absorbed the early pressure and seemed to be quite capable of holding a decent line and distributing the ball back to the play makers and onto the front 3. Until the only mistake that Scott made all game, led to Castleford's opening goal. The ball squirmed under a diving Scott and ended up in the corner of the net. This lifted their players and the home crowd. More pressure ensued and it told on the away teams goal as Castleford gained a second and then third goal to bring an enticing game to thrilling standards. This isn't to say Crofton didn't have chances to get distance between themselves and the opponents. The ball just wouldn't finish in their net, with it being bundled over by their goal keeper, scrambled away and shots just not quite on target.
An exceptionally placed shot by Liam brought Crofton back in front instantly from the kick off of Castleford's third goal. Plenty of attacking spirit was shown by Sharpy as he battled with the goal keeper before a peach of a shot from Liam nestled into their goal. It took 2 further minutes for Castleford put a forth goal away with plenty of time on the clock for both teams to win the match out right. Each player lifted their stature on the pitch to pass, move, stand tall and defend with strength to make sure it wasn't Crofton who were going to lose.
It finally came. With stout defending, precision passing from Will and calm finishing from Lukas. The winning goal.
The Castleford team, coaching staff and fans put on a great display to come back with excellent goals and encourage their players to achieve what they did. But it also took great character from Crofton to believe in their ability to tackle, distribute, provide flowing moves and finish the game off.
Great result against a very competent Castleford side.
