Jon Otsemobor also started the game. He showed obvious Premiership talent but acted as the new kid, sometimes looking at a loss on what to do next. He settled in the second half and attacked more with his impressive pace. It'll be interesting to see him once he's settled in.
The game at the beginning was quiet with us just about looking the better from an attacking point of view. Best chance of the opening was David Vaughan 10 minutes in but he his little side foot from Lunt's cross was never really going to trouble the keeper.
The first, of three, goals came ten minutes afterwards. Kenny Lunt playing yet another defence splitting pass. Jonah latched on to it, weaved between two Watford defenders and round the keeper then with the outside of his left foot poked it under a defenders outstretched leg and sent the ball dribbling over the line.
Afterwards the tempo of the game didn't really get any better but players started to believe in themselves. They really wanted it and you just had a feeling they would see this win out. They did.
Second goal came some 4 minutes later and as somewhat of a fluke, but deserved after the build up play. Steve Jones ran from inside the Crewe half right down the left wing. He broke into the Watford penalty area but his shot, from a tight angle, was saved by the keeper's legs. The ball was picked up by Ashton, Deano held it up for a couple of seconds before letting Vaughan free down the left. He too broke into the box but cross the ball across the face of the goal, a Watford player cleared it but fortunately Neil Sorvel was stood idle 2 yards in front of him. The ball hit his leg and bounced into an empty net.
Afterwards we looked so much comfortable. We looked in control. When Watford went on the attack, we were the ones taking them places. I can't remember them getting the ball in the box for the first 44 minutes. They had weak, long range shots but never put a threatening cross in. Ben Williams was more than alert to their attack.
Billy Jones is only 17 years old and came up against Danny Webber. Webber has been tipped for million pound moves all over the country, he's top scorer in the league and some reckon he's the best striker in the league. However, Billy's defending, whilst trying to keep the excitement low, was Premiership class. Never really gave Webber the space to do anything, there wasn't an occasion when he had time to set up a run or a shot. So whilst Watford tried to play their attacks through Webber, they just broke down.
If the second goal was a knock out, the third goal was the killer. Thirty-seven minutes, a Crewe corner wasn't cleared and Neil Sorvel fluffled a volleyed from the edge of the area but the ball managed to squirm in the bottom left corner. From Watford's point of view it was a soft goal to concede and Dario said after the match that if they were like us in pulling everyone back for corners they would have had players on the posts and it would have been cleared. So, in other words, it's a tactical masterstroke from Dario to bring 11 players back.
We were loving it after that. Watford didn't get a look in whilst we could have made it four. Anthony Tonkin bombed forward, David Vaughan threaded a ball down the left and Tonks was in the penalty area. With free view on goal he smashed his shot just over the keeper but onto the cross bar.
Tonks was unlucky but at least we ended the half on a high. For once in 2004 Crewe fans could just relax at half time. It would take a bizarre second half for Watford to claw back to a draw - nevermind a win. They were very slow thinking up front, our midfield had a firm grip on the game and our attack is the best in the league. Safe.
The second half was a bit strange. Steve Jones was caught offside a few times and then was subbed for Mark Rivers after he pulled up with a hamstring injury. It was worrying to see Mark Rivers ready to come on before physio Steve Walker made it on to the pitch. The referee was irritating Crewe with his insistence there was nothing wrong with the Dasher, who was on the floor signalling to the referee. It took three calls from Alex players to allow some assistance on the pitch.
Then eight minutes from time Ashton was stretchered off. Tripped by Cox he fell awkwardly on his ankle and was in obvious pain. He was stretchered off to a standing ovation for his involvement in the game and was replaced by Michael Higdon.
The two substitutes, Higdon & Rivers, have shown obvious improvement recently. Higdon only got eight minutes but I rate him and he could become a potent scorer should he ever get a decent run in the team but at the moment Ashton is such quality no-one could replace him.
Mark Rivers I thought played his best football since re-signing. He looked sharp, quicker, fitter and wanted to get the ball. He's also, slowly, improving his runs behind the defence. He had one of two shots that were useless as there were better options at the time.
In terms of chances there wasn't much in the half. Dean Ashton volleyed Jon Otsemobor's long range cross well over. Justin Cochrane fired just wide but presently showing his willingness to really get forward, I expect a goal from him soon. That was about it.
For Watford they never really promised much until the last 15 minutes. Ben Williams first tested when Bouazza's close range header was superbly anticipated by Ben Williams. However the moment of the game was to come in the final seconds.
Watford were really pressuring the Alex back four and eventually Helguson fired a low cross across the face of goal. Ben Williams missed and Danny Webber was sliding in with Billy Jones. It looked as if another clean sheet was gone until Billy somehow, whilst on his arse, hooked the ball of the line and for a throw in half way up the Alex half. This when Danny Webber was ball side of him.
Absolutely superb defending.
Finally a win, finally a clean sheet and maybe what can kick start the season. Well, a two week break before our next game, against Brighton. Third straight win?
Ben Williams - 7 - Good second half. Few 'easy' but needed saves. Clean sheet = confidence.
Jon Otsemobor - 7 - Very 'first game like'. Didn't really know what to do in the first half but settled in the second half. Obvious Premiership quality in him, another couple of weeks at the club and I expect a lot more.
Billy Jones - 10 - My man of the match. Simply magnificent. The clearance off the line, with Webber in front of him, in the last couple of minutes summed up his performance. Brilliant!
Stephen Foster - 8 - Why oh why oh why does he not sort out his distribution. Would be near enough Premiership quality then.
Anthony Tonkin - 8 - Brilliant game. Best of his Alex career. Told you Tonkinho would find his feet soon enough.
Kenny Lunt - 7 - Slowly getting better this season. What assist is that? I count about 12 this season already. 300th start, 24 year old - mad!
Neil Sorvel - 7 - Goal machine. Two soft goals, otherwise average.
David Vaughan - 9 - Shone. Welsh wizard being ignored by that t*t Mark Hughes. Brilliant all over the pitch. Passing and vision is breath taking, ball control is humiliating... for the opposition.
Justin Cochrane - 8 - Another great performance. However, did lack the will to really give it a go at going forward. Go arrn Big Coch, try it.
Dean Ashton - 8 - Pretty quiet but certainly valuable. Can't have him injured beyond the Brighton game. Hopefully he's not too badly injured.
Steve Jones - 8 - Super finish for his goal. Ever consistent. Can't believe he was a conference player 2 or 3 years ago. Same as Dean, hopefully not badly injured!