OAKWOOD manager Mark Gilbert believes the new-look Crawley Town squad are stronger than last year's team after seeing them in action at Tinsley Lane last week.
Oaks lost 8-1 to the Reds last pre-season and Gilbert admitted he was "disappointed" to see his side crumble to a 10-0 defeat last Tuesday evening against the League One side.
Izale McLeod scored a hat-trick and Lewis Young hit a brace, with Conor Henderson, Jimmy Smith, Bobson Bawling, Josh Simpson and Anthony Harris all grabbing a goal apiece as Crawley ran out comfortable winners at their training ground, which is Oakwood's home ground.
It was a much changed side from the team Richie Barker fielded at Tinsley Lane in 2013, but Gilbert believes the new-look Reds are the better team.
"We obviously don't expect to beat Crawley, but having lost 8-1 last summer, I think below eight would have represented an improvement," the Oaks boss said.
"It was mainly my first team in the first half and I was really disappointed with how they played. It was virtually Crawley's first team as well, they were very strong, but after Liam Cox conceded the penalty we collapsed.
"I thought we were a lot better in the second half though. I think we've found a new left-back in Harry Lowe and Scott Lawrence did well at centre-half. Clive Pillar was good too.
"I was impressed with Izale McLeod; he was very quick and looks a quality signing. I think just overall Crawley looked stronger than they did last season against us. I think we are a better team, and we lost worse."
The match is a great source of revenue for Sussex County League side Oakwood, and Gilbert believes the gate and bar receipts will help his side in the coming season.
"When you consider how much referees cost now, plus the hot water, electricity, and things we have to provide like sandwiches, it all adds up to a couple of hundred pounds per game," he said. "It's great to play Crawley and they really are a nice group of lads, but it's also a good fundraiser for us. It's hard for small clubs, especially at the start of the season when we are bound to have three or four home games."
