It was a game that was controlled by the Alex after the 5th minute.The first five minutes and we wer up to our usual trick. Let the opposition run at us for a while then get the ball down and get at them. Davaney caused abit of trouble down the right and tried to get a couple of penaltys when Tierney blocked his crosses(PENALTY REF!). Cheltenhams best chance of the match was the build up to our opening goal. 4 minutes in and after Foster headed out for a corner following a Devaney cross the corner went in Ince missed juged the ball as it flew over his stretched arms Sorvel cleared but a second cross came it and Ince punched only as far to centre back Mike Duff who hit the ball at the open net but Sodje managed to head it clear to Walton who got it upfield to Brammer. He got it to Vaughan who ran at the their defence before being clattered 30 yards out by a late challange.
The free kick was taken by Lunt and hit to the right post and Dean lost his marker to run onto it and head it in and once again, against the run of play Dean scored his 8th goal in 7 games, 9 goals his season. It was greeted by the fans with "Deano is back, Deano is back". Thats 26 goals in 61 stars for the 19 year old.
8 minutes in and Jack nearly made it 2-0 with him charging at Cheltenhams defence he broke free into the box and his low hard drive was (un)comfortabley saved by keeper Book. Damien Spencer headed over on 10 minutes for Cheltenham After 14 minutes Paul Tierneys freekick found Foster who should have hit the target with his header but it flew over. A few minutes later Hugh McAuleys shot flew just by Inces left post. I have to say though the atmosphere was awfully quiet. Neitehr set of fans breaking out in song and you could hear all the players and Dario shouting.
After 25 minutes the player were probably getting abit too cocky with Vaughan running cracking a shot from 30 yards but curled well wide. It could have been 2-0 when Ashton put the ball into the netbut it was after Book had thumbled it and lost control of the ball, the ruled it out though as the keeper had a hand to the ball.
37 minutes in and it was wrapped up with David Vaughan getting his 3rd of the season. A goal kick from Ince fell to ashton who fed it through to Vaughan in the box who from the left fired into the right hand bottom corner. It was three less than 5 minutes later. A break away showed class and pace as Jack got fed through where he beat Simkins on the left to get into the area and curl it into the bottom corner. It showed the class of the Alex as we started to pass it about with confidence and skill about us. Just before half time Lunt did a cheeky chip from 25 yards which curled towards goal but straight at the keeper.
Half time: 3-0
The second half was the most 1 sided half i've seen in a long time. The players passed Cheltenham to death. Infact it's a awkward alf to report on because not much happened. Clayton Ince saved a Alsop 35 yard effort. Before long Cheltenham were down to 10 men. On the hour mark Mike Duff went in late on Ashton who went to ground - Duff had been booked earlier in the game for disscent - he knew he was off as he ran to the tunnel as the ref pulled out the cards. The Lunt free kick resulted in nothing. A minute later and Ashtyon missed a wonder chance when Sodje put in a decent cross Ashton lost his marker again and tried to hit it first time on the volley into the top corner but he just got too much under it and it went flying.Dean was always in the thick of it and made a few runs at the Cheltenham defence. One which reduced them to 10 men when Lunt threaded through Ashton wo was closley marked by Howarth got past him which Howarth didn't like and just inside the area. The resulting penalty was put in the bottom right corner by Brammer. A couple of minutes later Sorvels shot was parried clear by Book. 75 minutes and Ashtons low shot from the left was gathered by Book - Ashtons face showed he knew he should have done better. Deano then headed onto the top of the net 34 minutes later. The Alex had so much possesion yet weren't looking to score. Just simply how many passes we can string together in one go. Efe Sodje should have scored though with 7 minutes to go. Neil Sorvel fed Sodje though 18 yards out but instead of smacking it his foot never really connected and went well wide. That was about it and Crewe go fourth ahead of Sundays opponents, Oldham. It makes the Sunday game all the more important - win that and we're safe of slipping back down. It also means that we are just two points from 2nd place. Cardiff draw and Bristol City lose - we go into 2nd place!
Come on Crewe!!!!!!!! |
