Crawley Town celebrated their first visit to Wembley by winning promotion for American owners Preston Johnson and Eben Smith – often referred to as ‘The Crypto Bros’.
The Sussex club finished 22nd in League Two a year ago but totally dominated Sunday’s play-off final with Danilo Orsi and Liam Kelly scoring in each half.
Johnson and Smith – who made their money in crypto-currency and once pledged to build Crawley’s fanbase through digital tokens – high-fived their players afterwards and there would have been delight in a couple of England households as well.
Manager Gareth Southgate grew up in the town whilst Harry Maguire’s brother Laurence was part of a resolute Crawley defence.
At the other end, Orsi bagged his 25th goal of the season shortly before half-time and marked it by performing his trademark ‘horse gallop’. Kelly settled any late nerves by steering home a second five minutes from the end.
Crawley Town celebrated their first visit to Wembley by winning promotion to League One
Danilo Orsi drew first blood with a neat finish to send Crawley on their way to League One
Liam Kelly applied the finishing touch in the 85th minute to break Crewe’s hearts
Crawley’s heroes Orsi and Kelly hold the trophy as they win promotion from League Two
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Town defender Dion Conroy said: ‘We were favourites to get relegated this season so this is outstanding.
‘We knew how good we were and if we turned up, we could beat anyone. To perform how we did is the cherry on top.’
Orsi added: ‘We play like this every day. I’ve had a good season, thanks to the coaches and the rest of the players.’
Both sides had reached Wembley unexpectedly after beating favourites MK Dons and Doncaster in the semi-finals.
For Crawley, it was a first trip to the national stadium in their 128-year history and 18,000 fans followed them – five times their average home gate.
In their change kit of all-white, they dominated from the opening whistle with Kelly producing a few Oohs with a long-range strike and then testing Crewe goalkeeper Max Stryjek.
Crewe didn’t respond until the 38th minute when Elliott Nevitt’s hit nearly crept into the bottom corner.
The escape jolted Crawley into life and they took the lead three minutes later.
Goalkeeper Corey Addai kicked long and from the second ball, Kelly released Orsi.
The in-form striker had bagged a hat-trick against MK Dons and showed great composure to cut inside the Crewe defence before finishing with the outside of his foot.
Every time Orsi uses his celebration, club sponsors Brick Borrow make a donation to the Crawley Town Community Foundation.
Scott Lindsey has masterminded Crawley’s promotion to League One after a nine-year absence
Crewe thought they had a penalty when Corey Addai ‘brought down’ Chris Long, but VAR overturned the decision and the goalkeeper’s yellow card was rescinded
Crawley have been rejuvenated under their American ownership and deserved this win
Crawley have used data extensively to build a pleasing team under manager Scott Lindsey.
Their only scare in the second half came when referee Ben Toner pointed to the spot after Chris Long had dived over the leg of Addai. VAR told the official to check his monitor and the decision was overturned.
A second Crawley goal looked more likely than an Alexandra equaliser and it arrived near the end. Kelly’s initial shot was blocked by Mickey Demetriou but he managed to steer home the rebound from an acute angle.
