Crawley Town, representing the city of Crawley in West Sussex, competes in the lower divisions of English football, but sometimes becomes a source of sensational winnings for those who believe in their success.
Win over Darby County in the FA Cup (2011)
One of the most memorable matches in the history of Crawley Town was their victory over Darby County in the FA Cup on January 10, 2011. At the time, Crawley Town were playing in the National Conference (the fifth division), while Darby County were competing in the Championship (the second division). The disparity in class made Crawley Town the clear favorite, with odds as high as 10.0 or higher at bookmakers like King Chip Casino.
The match was played at the Broadfield Stadium, with the stands filled to capacity. Crawley Town displayed incredible dedication to the game. In the 30th minute, Craig McAllister scored a header after a corner, opening the scoring. Darby responded in the 68th minute when Miles Addison equalized the score. The match seemed to be heading towards a draw, but in the 91st minute, Sergio Torres scored a winning goal with a 2-1 scoreline. This victory allowed Crawley to advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.
For those who bet on the victory, the winnings were impressive. For example, a bet of 10 pounds at a 10.0 odds would have resulted in a profit of 100 pounds.
Success against Torquay United (2011)
The next big success came on 29 January 2011, when Crawley Town faced Torquay United in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Both teams were from the National Conference, but Torquay was considered the favourite due to their more consistent results throughout the season. The odds on Crawley's victory ranged from 3.5 to 4.0, making it a risky but attractive bet.
The match was played on the road at the Plainmoor Stadium. Crawley dominated from the start, creating moment after moment. The decisive goal was scored by Matthew Tubbs in the 39th minute, who scored a spot-on goal after a solo run. The defense held up under pressure in the second half, keeping the score at 1-0.
Betting on Crawley's victory generated significant amounts of money. For example, a bet of 50 pounds with an odds of 3.8 could have generated around 190 pounds.
The match against Manchester United (2011)
The fifth round of the FA Cup on February 19, 2011, was a historic moment for Crawley Town. The team faced Manchester United at the legendary Old Trafford stadium. The difference in class was immense, with Manchester United competing for the Premier League title and Crawley representing the fifth division. The odds for a victory were as high as 20.0 or higher, while the odds for a minimal defeat or draw were around 5.0-7.0.
Despite the predictions, Crawley Town put on a remarkable performance. The only goal of the match was scored by Wes Brown in the 28th minute, after a header from a flank pass. Crawley had chances to equalize the score: at the end of the match, David Hunt's shot hit the crossbar, and Richard Brodie missed an opportunity in added time. The final score of 1:0 in favor of Manchester United was a surprise, as no one expected a team from the fifth division to put up such a strong resistance.
Although Crawley did not win, some betting enthusiasts made money on outcomes related to a minimal defeat. For example, betting that the team would lose by a single goal resulted in winnings with odds of around 6.0. One fan, whose story was reported in local media, won around £600 by betting £100 on this outcome.
Win over Bristol Rovers (2012)
Another match that brought big winnings took place on 7 January 2012 in the third round of the FA Cup against League 2 side Bristol Rovers. Crawley Town, also in League 2, were considered the underdogs as Bristol had a more experienced squad. The odds on victory were around 3.0.
The match at Broadfield ended 1:0. The only goal came in the 23rd minute when Matthew Tubbs scored a penalty. Crawley controlled the game, and goalkeeper Scott Sheehan made several key saves to keep the goal intact. This victory took the team to the fourth round, where they faced Hull City.
Betting on Crawley's victory resulted in significant payouts. For example, a bet of 20 pounds with a odds of 3.0 would have yielded a payout of 60 pounds. Some fans, confident in the team's home strength, received winnings in the hundreds of pounds.