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A professional display from an average Crewe side who, in front of the TV cameras did little to entertain the watching nation. It was a game we all expected the railwaymen to win, probably more convincingly than we ultimately did, but at least the three points came home to South Cheshire.
Rotherham were all over us in the opening twenty or so minutes, but they failed to really trouble Clayton Ince. Stephen Foster was uncharacteristicly shaky on certain occasions, and Richard Walker, coming back from injury was also not his usual self.
The goal (which was due to Guy Branston's unaggravated assault on Jones) came at the right time for Crewe. Dean Ashton, who was faultless dispatched it with 100% confidence after going close on two previous occasions.
The points were effectively wrapped up when the returning Doorman bundled home Kenny Lunt's devious free-kick. Crewe were more than happy to take their feet off the gas, with Steve Jones missing the only genuine chance after Walkers' goal.
The Ulsterman's frustrating Northern Ireland nightmare continued when Ashton played a perfect ball to him, and with only the keeper to beat he rolled it right into the body of Pollitt.
New signing Anthony Tonkin came off the bench to replace Ben Rix and looked solid enough at left back, but after hardly playing these past few months will need time to fit in.
So, not the entertainment that Sky obviously hoped for, but a thoroughly stubborn and professional Alex rarely looked troubled and were deserved winners.
Crewe Alex 0 West Ham United 3
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Crewe's naivety was shown up by an impressive Hammers side who were handed the three points on a plate thanks to schoolboy errors in defence.
A full Gresty Road was expecting to see two young, footballing sides battle it out but what has been described as eight minutes of madness from the reds' defence meant the contest was over after 30 minutes.
David Vaughan missed out thanks to his toe injury, but Justin Cochrane, who was rated as doubtful, partnered Dave Brammer. Therefore, Anthony Tonkin made his home debut.
West Ham had England international goalkeeper David James to thank for an instinctive block from Stevie Jones after only seven minutes, with the goal at his mercy.
Jonah seems to be going through a confidence crisis, and the well documented Northern Ireland scoring drought can not help him. He looked like a lost kid during the Hammers game at time.
Crewe were left to think what might have been when Steve Foster's woeful backpass to the helpless Clayton Ince was pounced on by the impressive David Connolly who twisted and turned round Rich Walker and Ince to blast into the roof of the net.
Two minutes later, the Republic of Ireland international was at hand to pounce on Clayton Ince's fumbled catch from a Kevin Horlock free kick to make it 2-0 and end all hopes of a Crewe victory.
To be honest, the decision to take a free kick was very wrong, because Justin Cochrane made absoluely no contact with Robert Lee, who got out of the way with loads of time to spare. But who is to say United would not have pressed ahead to score another instead of sitting back?
The third goal was from Matthew Etherington who volleyed home after the Alex defence could only half clear a corner.
It could have gone into double figures the way the Hammers were playing, but they took their feet off the gas and relaxed, often making fools of the Crewe midfield with inch perfect balls sprayed from flank to flank. Even Tomas Repka was allowed to get forward!
Crewe came out after alf time looking to get back into the game, but despite some couragous play from Kenny Lunt, Cochrane and Ashton, we couldn't find a way past the organised and obviously superior Hammers defence.
Credit to the lads though, heads never dropped and we were always searching for that goals to try and get back into the game.
We were outclassed in every position tonight, so although I think we gave them the game, I can't take anything away from the Londoners, who were well worth the entrance fee.
All we can do is go back to the drawing board, not get bogged down by the defeat and look forward to the visit of Notts Forest on Saturday. I'm sure we can put this behind us and get back to winning ways soon enough.