In 2002 we were relegated with a game to go, in 2003 we were promoted with a game to go and now, in 2004 we’ve secured safety with a game to go. The massive Stadium of Light was only half full as the, expected, team took to the pitch. Foster, Cochrane and Symes didn’t make the first sixteen whilst Richard Walker, Billy Jones and Craig Hignett all started…
Williams
B.Jones - Walker - Moses - Wright
Lunt - Brammer - Sorvel - Hignett
Ashton - S.Jones
Sunderland started the game and continued it with dominance. Kevin Kyle fired over and Jason McAteer put in a couple of teasing crosses for Ben Williams in the first few minutes. Crewe didn’t even enter the Sunderland half till the fourth minute when Dean Ashton caused havoc as he cut in down the right of the penalty area to fire the ball straight at Sunderland keeper Mart Poom, resulting in a corner. The corner was cleared to Walker whose up and under ‘cross’ was caught by Poom.
Sunderland pushed and pushed and the Alex looked shaky. Possession was being lost by Crewe on every attack and it just looked a shambles. Walker and Moses weren’t organised enough at the back and the midfield just wasn’t strong enough. Neil Sorvel isn’t good enough and Brammer wasn’t exactly setting the world alight.
The match was lacking any clear cut chances for the first ten minutes but Sunderland soon smoothed that out. Jason McAteer made some work for Ben Williams, McAteer cut across the edge of the penalty area and curled a shot towards the top left corner but a classic save from Ben saw him at full stretch - across the face of the goal - diving to palm it out for a corner. The shot was certainly heading in but instead of Sunderland fans roaring it was the Alex fans in approval with “Sign him up, sign him up” chants towards the young keeper.
Shame it only gave Sunderland the incentive to go forward with even more guile. They were mainly playing it down the centre but fortunately for us Moses and Walker were sensible and allowed Ben Williams to collect the majority of high bouncing balls. Crewe were, meanwhile, trying to find a suitable counter attack. Ashton had put the ball in the net once when he ran free on goal to toe poke it past the keeper only to find the flag had gone up a minute earlier. It wasn’t the only offside, Ashton clocked up 3 offsides and Steve Jones got the one in the first half.
The dominance soon paid off for Sunderland. A goal that was always coming finally arrived to put Sunderland and Crewe fans alike out of their misery. A high cross from the left, from Marcus Stewart, caught out, maybe, Richard Walker and it landed at the far post for Jeff Whitley to chest down and just smash into the roof of the net.
Sunderland smelt blood and after Deano was caught offside again they so nearly made it two-nil. They should have scored but with Ben Williams in goal there was no question that they wouldn’t. Kevin Kyle latched onto the bouncing ball inside the area and was free on goal and with Ben Williams off his line he tried the chip. The ball looked beyond Williams as he ran backwards and the ball seemed to be dipping into the goal until Williams leapt backwards and tipped it over the bar. It was the first time I’ve seen, or remember, a keeper get a standing ovation for a save.
That was about it for the first half. The last 15 minutes were of Sunderland’s dominance but no real chances were created by either side. At half time you couldn’t have been blamed for fearing that after a Mick McCarthy team talk Sunderland could come out and treble the score, at least.
Second Half
It was, however, pleasant to see a better performance from the Alex in the second half. Maybe it was because the worst player on the pitch - Richard Walker - had gone off; I wouldn’t like to speculate. Chris McCready replaced Walker at centre back; seeing it was a big mistake in even playing Walker.
The sun drenched pitch helped the Alex shine again in the second half. Ok, so not many chances went our way but the performance was good. Craig Hignett was playing his best football since arriving, and we’ve waited long enough, Billy Jones and David Wright were bombing it down the wings and starting good attacks whilst Kenny Lunt played a more withdrawn roll than in recent weeks.
The 900 or so Alex fans, meanwhile, were rocking the south stand as they enjoyed a end of season feel. Looking forward to visiting Leeds next season - who are, at the time I write, losing 4-1 - and hopefully beating them. So, whilst fans taunted the black cats to their left the team were dominating the match, or so it seemed from my biased eye.
Then again, I can’t remember that many chances coming our way till Dean Ashton slotted home his 19th of the season. On the 76th minute Crewe finally broke that offside trap with a sweet ball from Brammer piercing the Sunderland defence to send Ashton free on goal. From the edge of the area he just toe poked the ball under Poom and just inside the far right bottom corner; sending the Alex fans absolutely wild.
Unthinkable at half time, we could actually nick it. We so nearly did, as well, when Steve Jones was sent free in Ashton style, only this time by substitute David Vaughan. With five minutes left he just chipped it over the advanced keeper and it seemed to be heading, like Ashton’s shot, just inside the far right post. It was in until the last inch when it smashed off the post and out. Alex fans and, no doubt, Sunderland fans couldn’t believe it had stayed out.
This left Crewe just happy to take the point as news filtered through at Palace were beating Walsall and Crewe were, because of this, staying up. Sunderland tried to ruin the joy of the news as they went all out attack for the last 5 minutes, and 5 minutes of added time. Nothing, though, was going to get past the impressive defence.
It ended 1-1 and secured the safety.
So, safety is far from a achievement after the season we’ve had. At Christmas the achievement would have been to get a top 10 finish but for some reason or other it went sour, and it’s something Dario has to look at for next season. The performance yesterday was good enough - the first half deserved a thrashing but the second half, possibly, deserved a win.
Three excellent performances out there were Ben Williams, for superb saves; Dean Ashton, worked tirelessly and caused Sunderland no end of problems; and Billy Jones just shone with his natural ability at the back.
Next week sees the season end with Norwich visiting. Thankfully we’ve put an end to any relegation fears and look to next season. One last ambition of the season - lets stop Norwich winning the league!
Player Ratings
Ben Williams - 8 - Two extraordinary saves in the first half. Calm for kicking and long balls. Brilliant. SIGN HIM UP!
Billy Jones - 8 - CreweAlex.com Man Of The Match. Had to mark a tricky striker-cum-winger in Tommy Smith but gave him nothing all day. Then having to mark the pacey Darren Byfield… Billy was just brilliant shall I say.
Adie Moses - 7 - Calm, decent performance. Seemed comfortable up against Marcus Stewart.
Richard Walker - 5 - Slow… not… very… good.
David Wright - 7 - Still playing on the left and still consistant as ever. Keeping the Sunderland Player Of The Season - John Oster - quiet.
Kenny Lunt - 6 - Was quiet throughout and apart from the odd free kick I can’t remember much else of his game.
Neil Sorvel - 6 - His usual self. Slowed down attack after attack. That’s our attacks.
Dave Brammer- 7 - Average performance from Brams. Nothing too special.
Craig Hignett - 7 - Possibly had his best 45 minutes of his come back in the second half. Darting runs and exceptional balls.
Dean Ashton - 8 - Gave 100% and ripped Sunderland apart with his pace and strength. Top class.
Steve Jones - 6 - Nothing great.