Great Games : Series 1 : Sheff Wed Home - FA Cup

Last updated : 03 December 2003 By Site Staff

The game wasn't like the Saturday game, it was quick off the mark with Crewe getting a corner in the first 5 minutes after a Smith cross was headed out. Nothing came of the corner. A minute later Sheff Wed went break on a break and when Ekoku went past Foster and clear on goal all he could do was send it rolling past the far post.

5 minutes later, Ben Rix, on his home full debut, ran from the halfway line, rolled it to Jack who chipped it over Westwoods head to a on-running Rix who took it well and cooly rolled it past Pressman for his first goal for the Alex. The Alex sat back and let Sheffield Wednesdya come at them, to be honest there was no point in wasting our breathe having shots at goal when Sheff Wed looked hopeless and like a conference team.

The best of Sheff Weds oppitunity's was when a uncleared corner found Hamshaw, just inside the area,who hit his shot over the crowd and it was a terrific save from Bankole which kept them 1-0 down. Not for much longer though as when a Crewe free kick was lofted in from Lunt but was quickly cleared out into the middle of the Crewe half where on rushing Hamshaw took one look then chipped it over the advancing Bankole.

Straight from the kick off Crewe got a free kick on the edge of the area and a good cross from Lunt saw a good header from Hulse go inches over the bar. Jack, who caused problems all night, then broke free on goal but his shot hit Pressmans legs and was very unlucky not to have scored. Chances then came from all angles as Crewe put much more pressure on Sheff Wed, Rodney Jack came closed when he cut inside of the area on the right but his narrow shot hit the keeper. Brammer then put in a low cross which just bobbled through the crowded area, it was a chance we should have tucked away.

In the second half, It was more of Crewe than Sheff Wed. Started to play more of a direct style of passing and it certainly paid off when a scuffed long pass from Sheff Wed on the half way line headed in Hulse's direction and he raced away after the ball with Bromby, which was in the area already, Hulse just about beat pressman to the ball and headed it over Pressman, goal bound, but Bromby took a chance a used a over head kick to clear it.

Sheffield's first chance in the half came when a cross from Sibon headed in Ekoku's direction but his powerful header fell directly into Big George's hands.

Only 2 minutes later and we toook the lead when Brammer won a debatable corner, the corner from lunt was sent in hgh to the far post where Foster towered above everyone else to head it onto the ground for it to dounce up and hit the top of the net. 2-1.

Lunt minutes later could have made it 3 when he pulled the ball back unmarked, on the edge of the area, straight in front of goal he tried chipping Pressman but his shot went wide by inches. Sodje then got booked for a 2 footed challange after a competitive bit of play by him and the strikers.

Then, again, minutes later a free kick from Lunt saw Rodney Jack do a over head shot which just inches past the post, showing how Sheff Wed were dazed by the skill of our little African. It was dirty Sheff Wed who were then cautioned when Derek Geary went in with a high 2 footed challange on Dave Wright.

Crewe settled back, and once again let Sheff Wed come at them. They did aswell, when Bovin put Hamshaw free on goal he could only rattle the left hand post of the Crewe goal.

Crewe though didn't let Rodney Jack get bored, when he raced free on goal he went into the area and turned round Westwood then curled a shot round Pressman but it went wide of his target.

The final shot of the game was unbelievable when Ekoku was free on goal, Bankole staring in his eyes and Bankolem in the way of a replay at Hillsborough he sends it flying into the stand behind the goal.