The free kick was a brilliant free kick. Ben Williams never really had a chance, it was curled into the top right corner, as tight as Harley could get it. The second goal came just as we were looking quite comfy following the first goal, Andy Gray was allowed in front of Foster and his header somehow went under Ben William's legs. Despite Ben's best efforts to convince the ref he saved the ball on the line the goal was rightfully given.
Notice 'somehow'. Two things that shouldn't have been allowed. It was poor defending from Foz and a poor point blank reaction from Ben. In typical Crewe fashion things could only get worse; more shocking defending. A short corner crossed long, Otsemobor didn't bother challenging the header back across goal and Ant Tonkin was a spectator as Cadamarteri nodded the ball toward the far left corner. Kenny Lunt was on the post but he wasn't much use.
The obvious difference in the teams was the strength and Sheff Utd's willingness to battle and play dirty. It wasn't something we looked used to but we worked our way back into the game and looked comfortable. We got the measure of Sheff Utd and within time they didn't even look like scoring.
Our comeback goal came some 10 minutes after the third Sheff Utd goal. Cochrane was brought down twice before a free kick was awarded, Lunt from 35 yards out floated the free kick in behind the Sheff Utd defence and Foster strode onto it unmarked and sent a bullet header past Paddy Kenny.
For the rest of the half we looked comfortable, Sheff Utd didn't really make many advances to wards goal but neither did we. The most interesting of plays coming from a break from Otsemobor. After a Sheff Utd corner he ran the legnth of the pitch before being barged off the ball inside the area. Shoulder to shoulder at worst. Ref said no and was probably right.
The second half and Sheff Utd were perfectly happy to sit and try and hold the 3-1 lead. We didn't really do that much to try and stop them and play was largely exchanges on attacks. It took 10 minutes for the first shot of the half to register; even then it was a mis-hit cross from Jon Harley that was comfortable for Ben Williams.
Ten minutes later a cross from Harley, again, let Cadamarteri head back across goal but an un-marked Shaw just fluffled his shot from 10 yards out.
In terms of possession there wasn't much between the two teams. What did make a difference was Sheff Utd holding their possession largely in the Crewe half whilst we were very casual in just stroking it around the half way line, but we had as much possession as Sheff Utd.
It took 20 minutes for us to get our first shot of the half, and second shot of the game. Tonkin cross was laid off to Vaughan by Lunt. Vaughan hit the volley straight at Paddy Kenny, but it afterwards we got forward with more intent. Dario also replacing Ant Tonkin for Mark Rivers, allowing David Vaughan to drop into left back and Kenny Lunt playing just behind lone striker Andy White because Steve Jones moved to the right of midfield.
With 15 minutes to go Vaughany's skill nearly won him a penalty but for a few centimetres. After passing a couple of Sheff Utd defenders in his usual style he was clattered down on the edge of the area. It looked inside the area but TV replays show the foul to be on the line of the area. Free kick was aimlessly blasted over by Lunt.
Funny moment of the match came a few minutes previously. Ben Williams, clearly showing lack of confidence, tried to throw it long only to let go too late and for the ball to bounce high a yard in front of him. He resorted to kicking. Good.
There wasn't really much else to the goal. Sheff Utd were a master class in diving and time wasting, as you would expect, and the referee(s) didn't really want to take notice.
The referee actually changed with ten minutes to go. A thigh injury saw him 'subbed' for the fourth official. The referee was boo'ed off but watching the live replay of the match he never really made a mistake in the match and some decisions were excellent, the above penalty call for example.
There was one last chance with five minutes to go. Luke Varney, who had come on for Andy White, headed wide after a Lunt head back across goal. It would have probably been easier for Varney to hit the target but from 10 yards his positioning was poor and he just sent it flashing wide.
The second goal, to make the score line a lot more respectable came with seconds to go. Infact on 93:10 minutes, after the board had gone up to say there were 3 minutes of added time.
Corner was hit long to Foster, he headed it low to wards goal and it was converted by Thirlwell to make it an OG. Not long enough to pull it back but a goal to say 'If only...' or just to make the scoreline that little more respectable.
So...
The first 11 minutes were dreadful, bad defending playing a major part. After that though we looked fine, not great but comfortable. Maybe Sheff Utd let their foot off the gas, maybe not, but we looked fine.
Goalkeeping wise, Ben wasn't at fault for any of the goals, it was all down to poor defensive play. However, I would rest Williams against Brighton if there's no sign of improvement against Leicester. He's not done much wrong and it's obvious he'll never be one to just make blooper after blooper but he just isn't stopping anything at the moment and a month or two out of the firing line may see him back on the form we saw from him last season.
Where we lost the actual game though was up front. We were nothing up there. If proof was ever needed for the people who, week IN week OUT, moan about Dean Ashton, that Dean was our best player then they have it. Three straight league defeats, clueless up front. Any ball that goes further forward than the midfield is conceded. Jones needs Dean to play as well, he's easily disposed of without Dean and has absolutely no one to work off. Andy White? On his arse for ninety minutes, did Mansfield refuse to give him his boots when he left?
Dean, I feel, may have won us the game. I think he's that influential.
Moving on to the 'Dario Out' weekly moans. Hold your breath.... Well, it really is worrying isn't it? Are Crewe fans really turning into typical football fans? Sack the manager as soon as something doesn't go our way? We've lost a few games, we've been in worse situations. Weren't we once 18 games without a win? I can't remember anyone calling for Dario then. Where's the respect?
We do live in the past. That's what this club is all about, we are about where we've come from and we're proud of it. We're proud, well most are, of our manager who's built this club - and still is building this club. Football has never changed so much before than it has in the last 15 years and Crewe and Dario continue to keep with the times.
I just think it shows we are still advancing as a club. I think Dario had done the 'easy' bit in getting us into the first division, with an academy and a lovely little set up, now the formation into a real modern Championship club without splashing the imaginary cash is going to be slow but let Dario finish what he started.
The club is a developing club. Players, staff, fans and stature wise alike. The club is still going forward (For the umpteenth time) and whilst it's tough swallowing these results we'll come out the other side a heck of a lot better off. Whether it be 1, 2 or 5 years down the line, what is for sure no other management of board (Russain tycoons not on the menu) could ever dream of doing a job as good.
Lets live the dream.
And breath.
Player ratings:
Ben Williams - 6 - "Ben wasn't at fault for any of the goals, it was all down to poor defensive play. However, I would rest Williams against Brighton if there's no sign of improvement against Leicester. He's not done much wrong and it's obvious he'll never be one to just make blooper after blooper but he just isn't stopping anything at the moment and a month or two out of the firing line may see him back on the form we saw from him last season."
Anthony Tonkin - 5 - Not very bright all game, defensive lapses and always out of position. Never challenged the header on their third goal.
Steve Foster - 6 - Shakey but never really in trouble. Distribution? Non existent.
Billy Jones - 7 - One of the better players in the team. Never allowed United to put him under pressure and cleared up the up and over balls with ease.
Jon Otsemobor - 6 - I like him. I think he's got to improve on a few things in his game but he's strong, fast and lively. Won't make it at Liverpool - would certainly welcome a longer move.
David Vaughan - 7 - Got better as the game went on and was between him and Billy for Man Of The Match. Real classy last 10 minutes.
Kenny Lunt - 5 - Dreadful passing all the way through the game.
Neil Sorvel - 6 - Very quiet and never made any sort of notable impact.
Justin Cochrane - 6 - Same as Sorvel.
Steve Jones - 6 - As said already, he needs Dean Ashton up with him to be on his game, he looks a little lost without him.
Andy White - 5 - Has potential when he's not on his arse.
(Dario bit was my view, not necessarily self-opinionated but you may take it that way if you don't agree. Always the way people.)