The headline says it all. It was just 8 minutes that changed the game. West Ham were always going to be tough and maybe the optimists were a bit too optimistic. The team included Ant Tonkin with 
The start saw the play shared with neither team ‘dominating’ as such, but it was clear the quality West Ham have.
Inside 10 minutes and West Ham had a chance cleared off the line. Foster smacked away a Dailly header as it went goal bound. But a few minutes later and Steve Jones was presented with the best chance of the game so far. Dean Ashton’s superb vision showed as he flicked the ball over three defenders in the box to Jones. Jonah clear on goal to the left of the 8 yard area tried to nut-meg David James but the
Unfortunately we couldn’t impose ourselves on West Ham, who’s heads were down and just looking a bit plain. That meant a goal couldn’t have come at a worse time. 16 minutes in and Connolly was closing down passing from Foster and
A gutting blow and a lift West Ham needed so badly – a lift that cost us. It spurred the Hammers on and 4 minutes later Cochrane gave a free kick away, although he just slid in front of Rob Lee, about 35 yards out. Defoe stepped up and fired it straight at Ince but a last minute bounce caught Ince out and the ball bounced back off his chest into the on rushing Connolly’s feet who hit home the second.
That didn’t stop them as they won a corner 4 minutes later. Ashton headed out from the far post but only to Etherington on the edge of the area who struck a sweet volley into the top left corner over Lunt’s head. The day trippers spotted Neil Mellor as the real fans felt a nasty feeling that West Ham might not stop until we were humiliated.
Them feelings were unfounded as we slowly but surely played our way back into the game. It was a good game with two good passing sides. Nothing dramatic happened in either penalty area’s for either team most of the half. For Crewe Dean Ashton continued his amazing return to form as he ran, hussled, tackled, shot, crossed and scared defenders. His shot was the closest the half came to another goal – and that was after it went 5 yards wide. 
We got in the box a couple of times but failed to find the will to shoot. A good bit of play from a Dean Ashton cross and a Steve Jones nod down to Lunt was ruined when Lunt allowed too much time for West Ham players to close him down.
After half time, a half time of a lengthy talk from Dario, West Ham came out abit more relaxed and looking like they could step it up, needless to say though we came out a bit fresher and a bit more confidence in us.
We dominated the start of the second half with Dean Ashton causing all sorts of problems for the West Ham defence. He nearly scored a wonder goal, bringing it down in the box to the right of the goal he dummied once defender, took it past another before curling it inches over the top right.
Ashton then tested
In goal Clayton had recovered excellently from his mistake and was back to plucking balls out of the air. He also stopped Defoe breaking free when Defoe ran onto a through ball to the right of the area Ince rushed out, slid in, and cleared the ball. Defoe, who was kept well and truly out of the game by Walker and Foster, hit a curling shot round Ince, who’s positioning was all wrong, but the ball hit the bar came bouncing back out at speed straight at Ince who managed to recover – thanks to the good fotune from the post.
With 15 minutes to go Steve Jones, who was quiet for 90 minutes, was replaced by Paul Edwards.
Dean Ashton smashed a shot inches wide of the right post. That was about it for clear cut chances. For the performance’s of players then there were some good performances out there. Dean Ashton was amazing again and his critics are being kept quiet. His vision, passing, tracking back, runs and just general skill from him was brilliant and got my man of the match. I hope he keeps it up as he is now showing the form that sent the national press crazy – he just needs a goal or two to get him going.
Kenny Lunt had his best performance in a long while. Covering every blade of grass he played some brilliant balls, was beating 2 or three players at a time and showed what control is. He even chipped in with a tackle or two. Also mentions for Justin Cochrane and Richard Walker!
Anthony Tonkin played 90 minutes and made some good moves. Looks a great prospect but needs to get forward more.
As for where we’re going now, I’m still confident. We, I think, were simply beaten by a better team ok so 3-0 and a couple of stupid errors which Foz and Ince will regret along with a brilliant volley was kind to West Ham but a plus point - we recovered well during the match when heads could have dropped at 3-0.
We were, again, certainly not out played but West Ham had that know how to them. Still confident as ever and lets get back on track vs