Crewe 1 Oxford 1
Well, clearly the lucky walk up in Bickerton Hills didn't quite work this week. I'm putting that down to an addition to the personnel on the walk and a late change of route. I also didn't go into the bar before the game either this week. Mainly because I was running a bit late, but also because I was off to the Nantwich Beer Festival after the game, so didn't want to spoil that. Still, that's now six unbeaten and we became the first team to score at home against Oxford, who hadn't conceded a goal on their travels.
The first half was a bit poor, to be honest. Oxford set out as expected - two banks of four and everyone behind the ball when they didn't have it. They were inviting us to break them down and, as usual, we struggled against a team defending in numbers. Miller went close with a free-kick and things finally paid off when, from a fortuitously won corner, Artell powered a header in at the near post. By my reckoning that now means we've scored as many goals from corners this season as we've managed in the previous three....
We got to half time ahead but many of the faithful were convinced we'd need a second to kill Oxford off, despite them offering very little in the way of goal threat.
The second half promised a bit more football from Oxford, as they needed to score to get a point. Having weathered an initial burst though it was Crewe making the chances, with Murphy volleying back across the face of goal and Donaldson tamely poking a through-ball at the Oxford keeper. Then, out of nowhere the game was level. Crewe sent the big men up for a corner, which broke to Oxford's forwards and three of them found themselves with only Blanchett between them and the goal. Blanchett did well in delaying them and Artell bust a gut to get back, but despite Taylor saving his first effort, Constable netted the rebound to level the scores.
Crewe thought they'd regained the lead seven minutes later when Donaldson found some space for a shot, but it took a touch from Miller in an offside position on it's way into the net. Still, the referee and his assistant both indicated it was a goal. The Oxford players, rightly, protested and the referee consulted and in the end disallowed the goal. After that the referee really didn't have any control of the game. A cynical barge on Taylor in the Crewe goal sparked a bit of a melee and Artell was lucky to stay on the pitch as he lashed out when trying to get the ball back. The ref waved a couple of cards about but it was far too late by then. Crewe couldn't create a clear cut chance and then Oxford were reduced to ten men when Constable got a second booking for scything down Tootle when he was going nowhere down the touchline. Zola cam on with about two minutes to play but he was never likely to get into the game and so it proved. Oxford ran the clock down and took away a hard-earned point.
I'm sure they'll be very happy with that - it was probably the limit of their ambition. They set out to defend in numbers, make sure Crewe didn't have an easy game and then try to pinch something on the counter-attack.Which is what happened. I think that if Crewe had a reliable goal-scorer, we might have taken all three points, but we haven't had a truly reliable striker since Nicky Maynard left.... Got to find one though, because there'll be tougher games than that ahead, where we have fewer chances.
Hopefully tonight won't be one of those games, when we welcome local rivals, Macclesfield.
Tuesday 28 September 2010
Wednesday 22 September 2010
The Drinking Song
Burton 1 Crewe 1
Having started this blog with the purpose of providing relevant updates fairly close to the end of a match, and to try to stop myself consuming vast quantities of alcohol on a matchday, I'm afraid, last Saturday was a fairly comprehensive disaster. Not only did I get horrendously drunk but I also haven't got round to the update till today.
Well, to be fair, if you're visiting a town that dubs itself "the home of Brewing", you do have to sample a few of the available ales. And what better place to sample those ales, I thought, that the Burton Food and Beer Festival? To be honest, any pub in town would probably have been a better starting place. My companion (Slider) and I arrived at 11.30 duly paid our (rather steep) six pounds entry fee, and found that we were first through the doors and that only one of the four breweries represented was setting up ready to serve punters. Anyway, the lucky man from Burton Bridge Brewery got our custom and we worked our way through the four beers he had available a half pint at a time (Sovereign Gold, XL Bitter, Stairway To Heaven and Bridge Bitter). Well, Slider did, I nipped over to the Freedom Brewery stand to sample their dark lager, which was nice, instead of having a Bridge Bitter. By this time Derventio had set up, so we had a crack at them. I went for a Derventio Barbarian, which looked like coke but tasted nice and Slider had a Cleopatra ("Comin' at Ya!") which seemed alright.
Despite the entertainment on offer (the Gresley Colliery Band) we decided to head off to the ground. Unfortunately, on the way we accidentally stopped off for a quick one in the Alfred on Derby Street. So we only just got to the game in time for kick-off. I had a pint of Guinness on arrival and watched the first twenty minutes or so on TV in the excellent bar under the away end. I ventured out to catch the rest of the first half, in which Burton were on top. Despite this, Crewe had the ball in the back of the net first after Grant nodded home at the far post, but the goal was ruled out for offside. A couple of minutes later and just before half-time, Crewe lost possession in the middle of the park and Magohma was given time and space to pick his spot from 25 yards.
Second half was much better for Crewe but they struggled to create many clear cut chances and were grateful to Luke Murphy for scoring his second goal in as many matches to level things up. We maybe could have won it, but I was happy to come home with a point. Seen the Alex lose too many games like that on the road to complain when we draw one.
Post-match, there was a brief return to the Beer fest for a couple of other ales and to collect a souvenir glass. We managed to miss the train, so went to the pub round the corner. And managed to miss the next train. Still, we managed to catch the one after that and were in Tamworth just in time to catch an earlier connection back to Crewe, arriving home at about half past eight, somewhat the worse for wear. I caught my connection home, got a takeaway and crashed out on the sofa. Slept through Match of the Day and woke up in time to catch the highlights of the Crewe game on the Football League Show. Result.
Next up is a home game with Oxford this Saturday. So that means an early start for the "lucky" walk up in Bickerton Hills, and also a late finish as I'm off to the Nantwich Beer Festival after the match...
Having started this blog with the purpose of providing relevant updates fairly close to the end of a match, and to try to stop myself consuming vast quantities of alcohol on a matchday, I'm afraid, last Saturday was a fairly comprehensive disaster. Not only did I get horrendously drunk but I also haven't got round to the update till today.
Well, to be fair, if you're visiting a town that dubs itself "the home of Brewing", you do have to sample a few of the available ales. And what better place to sample those ales, I thought, that the Burton Food and Beer Festival? To be honest, any pub in town would probably have been a better starting place. My companion (Slider) and I arrived at 11.30 duly paid our (rather steep) six pounds entry fee, and found that we were first through the doors and that only one of the four breweries represented was setting up ready to serve punters. Anyway, the lucky man from Burton Bridge Brewery got our custom and we worked our way through the four beers he had available a half pint at a time (Sovereign Gold, XL Bitter, Stairway To Heaven and Bridge Bitter). Well, Slider did, I nipped over to the Freedom Brewery stand to sample their dark lager, which was nice, instead of having a Bridge Bitter. By this time Derventio had set up, so we had a crack at them. I went for a Derventio Barbarian, which looked like coke but tasted nice and Slider had a Cleopatra ("Comin' at Ya!") which seemed alright.
Despite the entertainment on offer (the Gresley Colliery Band) we decided to head off to the ground. Unfortunately, on the way we accidentally stopped off for a quick one in the Alfred on Derby Street. So we only just got to the game in time for kick-off. I had a pint of Guinness on arrival and watched the first twenty minutes or so on TV in the excellent bar under the away end. I ventured out to catch the rest of the first half, in which Burton were on top. Despite this, Crewe had the ball in the back of the net first after Grant nodded home at the far post, but the goal was ruled out for offside. A couple of minutes later and just before half-time, Crewe lost possession in the middle of the park and Magohma was given time and space to pick his spot from 25 yards.
Second half was much better for Crewe but they struggled to create many clear cut chances and were grateful to Luke Murphy for scoring his second goal in as many matches to level things up. We maybe could have won it, but I was happy to come home with a point. Seen the Alex lose too many games like that on the road to complain when we draw one.
Post-match, there was a brief return to the Beer fest for a couple of other ales and to collect a souvenir glass. We managed to miss the train, so went to the pub round the corner. And managed to miss the next train. Still, we managed to catch the one after that and were in Tamworth just in time to catch an earlier connection back to Crewe, arriving home at about half past eight, somewhat the worse for wear. I caught my connection home, got a takeaway and crashed out on the sofa. Slept through Match of the Day and woke up in time to catch the highlights of the Crewe game on the Football League Show. Result.
Next up is a home game with Oxford this Saturday. So that means an early start for the "lucky" walk up in Bickerton Hills, and also a late finish as I'm off to the Nantwich Beer Festival after the match...
Wednesday 15 September 2010
To Love Is To Bury
Crewe 3 Bury 0
Not sure how confident the Bury fans were before this game, but there were plenty of doubts circling in among the Crewe fans. Bury had had a decent start to the season, featured three of our ex-players and are expected to to make the top ten again this season. One or two were suggesting a draw would be the likely outcome. I, on the other hand, was pretty confident. Not only did I fancy the Alex to win it, but I also had the back up of knowing that I was having a lucky pre-match walk up in Bickerton Hills. After all, it worked against Barnet...
Well, I went for the planned pre-match walk with Charlie and his dog, Wire. As we were a little short of time, we opted for a slightly shorter and less strenuous route than the Barnet walk. It was still enough of a work out for me, of course. Anything sort of slope gets me a bit puffed out these days...
Was slightly concerned though that changing the route might affect the outcome of the game. Well, I only had to wait three minutes into the match for my faith in the walk to be re-affirmed when Bury's central defender, Efe Sodje (a former Crewe favourite) capped a dreadful opening by knocking the ball across the box to Shaun Miller, who buried his shot across the keeper. One nil and a dream start. The Alex had started at a high tempo and the Bury backline were having all sorts of trouble coping with the pace and movement of the Alex forwards and every time they cleared it, it was the Crewe midfield picking up the bits and pieces. 18 minutes in and we had another goal to celebrate and, for the second time this season, the Alex scored from a corner. Westwood whipped it in from the left and Artell was unchallenged in the box to head home. At this stage in the game Bury were struggling to contain the Alex and, to be honest, we should have probably scored at least one more. As the half hour ticked past Bury started to get a foothold in the game but they rarely threatened the Crewe goal and when they did have sight of it, the shots went tamely wide.
Fair play to Bury though, they plugged away and came out and gave it a go for the first ten minutes of the second half. Crewe weathered the storm, such as it was, with few alarms. and then pushed on looking to increase their advantage. The game truly got away from Bury just after the hour mark when former Crewe midfielder Schumacher capped a frustrating display by recklessy clattering into Zola and earning a second booking and first use of the showers. Zola limped on for a few minutes before being replaced by "wonder kid" Nick Powell. Powell's first meaningful contribution was a shot that was well wide and his second was an air-shot at a cross from Donaldson. Fortunately for him, the ball ran through to Murphy who took it into the area and drove a shot in at the far post. 3- 0 to the Alex and it was starting to look like it could be a cricket score. And perhaps it should have been, Donaldson and Miller had both missed good chances and then Powell earned a penalty which Donaldson saw the Bury keeper, Belford, deflect over the bar with his foot. And right at the death Powell, unmarked in the area, somehow managed to volley a cross from Donaldson into the ground and over the bar.
At the final whistle I had to be extremely happy with that. What many people had seen as a tricky game had been negotiated with ease and not only had we kept a clean sheet, but we'd never looked like conceding. Bell had had a man-of-the-match performance in the middle of the park and Artell and Ada had once again looked as good a central defensive partnership we've had for a while. The only downside of the win is, of course, that I'll have to be out for the "lucky" walk again before the next home game against Oxford. Mind, if we're going to win our home games that comfortably every time, it's worth the sacrifice!
Not sure how confident the Bury fans were before this game, but there were plenty of doubts circling in among the Crewe fans. Bury had had a decent start to the season, featured three of our ex-players and are expected to to make the top ten again this season. One or two were suggesting a draw would be the likely outcome. I, on the other hand, was pretty confident. Not only did I fancy the Alex to win it, but I also had the back up of knowing that I was having a lucky pre-match walk up in Bickerton Hills. After all, it worked against Barnet...
Well, I went for the planned pre-match walk with Charlie and his dog, Wire. As we were a little short of time, we opted for a slightly shorter and less strenuous route than the Barnet walk. It was still enough of a work out for me, of course. Anything sort of slope gets me a bit puffed out these days...
Was slightly concerned though that changing the route might affect the outcome of the game. Well, I only had to wait three minutes into the match for my faith in the walk to be re-affirmed when Bury's central defender, Efe Sodje (a former Crewe favourite) capped a dreadful opening by knocking the ball across the box to Shaun Miller, who buried his shot across the keeper. One nil and a dream start. The Alex had started at a high tempo and the Bury backline were having all sorts of trouble coping with the pace and movement of the Alex forwards and every time they cleared it, it was the Crewe midfield picking up the bits and pieces. 18 minutes in and we had another goal to celebrate and, for the second time this season, the Alex scored from a corner. Westwood whipped it in from the left and Artell was unchallenged in the box to head home. At this stage in the game Bury were struggling to contain the Alex and, to be honest, we should have probably scored at least one more. As the half hour ticked past Bury started to get a foothold in the game but they rarely threatened the Crewe goal and when they did have sight of it, the shots went tamely wide.
Fair play to Bury though, they plugged away and came out and gave it a go for the first ten minutes of the second half. Crewe weathered the storm, such as it was, with few alarms. and then pushed on looking to increase their advantage. The game truly got away from Bury just after the hour mark when former Crewe midfielder Schumacher capped a frustrating display by recklessy clattering into Zola and earning a second booking and first use of the showers. Zola limped on for a few minutes before being replaced by "wonder kid" Nick Powell. Powell's first meaningful contribution was a shot that was well wide and his second was an air-shot at a cross from Donaldson. Fortunately for him, the ball ran through to Murphy who took it into the area and drove a shot in at the far post. 3- 0 to the Alex and it was starting to look like it could be a cricket score. And perhaps it should have been, Donaldson and Miller had both missed good chances and then Powell earned a penalty which Donaldson saw the Bury keeper, Belford, deflect over the bar with his foot. And right at the death Powell, unmarked in the area, somehow managed to volley a cross from Donaldson into the ground and over the bar.
At the final whistle I had to be extremely happy with that. What many people had seen as a tricky game had been negotiated with ease and not only had we kept a clean sheet, but we'd never looked like conceding. Bell had had a man-of-the-match performance in the middle of the park and Artell and Ada had once again looked as good a central defensive partnership we've had for a while. The only downside of the win is, of course, that I'll have to be out for the "lucky" walk again before the next home game against Oxford. Mind, if we're going to win our home games that comfortably every time, it's worth the sacrifice!
Tuesday 7 September 2010
The Spirit of Radio
Stevenage 1 Crewe 1
First missed game of the season for me. As predicted I was too knackered and a bit too skint to afford to travel to Stevenage. I was also put off by the fact that the unofficial supporters' coach left Nantwich at 07. 15 of the a.m. and there was no way I was going to be able to make that! Was almost tempted to hop on the train, but a price approaching £70 for a return ticket dissuaded me. So it was me and trusty Radio Stoke on super-crackly Medium Wave.
To be honest, I'd forgotten what a frustrating experience it can be listening to someone else describe a game that you wish you were at. Especially when one of the commentators has a habit of shouting "Goal!" somewhat prematurely. Still, with a couple of bottles of Batemans XXXB to help me I managed to get through it.
The first half didn't sound particularly inspiring for either team, with the highlights on the commentary being the continual chuntering about the referee forcing Crewe to wear Stevenage's yellow away kit to avoid a clash and then more chuntering after the referee blew for a free-kick to Crewe as Shaun Miller was lashing the ball in to the top corner. (Watching the highlights on the Interweb later, it was clear the Stevenage keeper had heard the whistle and made no effort to save it.) Other than than there was the amusement of Graham McGarry's apparent inability to pronounce the name of Stevenage striker Yemi Odubade. Oh-dee-bayou was what he finally settled on... Of course, old Oh-dee-bayou popped up in the last minute of the half to knock in a rebound and give Stevenage the lead.
Second half sounded much better - Crewe were apparently throwing men forward and all over the Stevenage boys and one slick passing move ended with Westwood picking his spot and curling a right-footed shot into the far corner. 1-1 and all to play for. Stevenage were reduced to ten men just after the hour mark when Stacey Long received his marching orders for a second bookable offence. Then Crewe's Shaun Miller was lucky not to follow him after a rash challenge. Manager Dario Gradi subbed him straight away and the 417 travelling Crewe fans got to watch twenty plus minutes of Nick Powell demonstrating that he'll be the next star off the Crewe production line. According to the radio commentary, Stevenage players were bamboozled by his tricks and pace and resorting to fouling him. The lad even nearly opened his goalscoring account on more than one occasion too. Have since heard plenty of good, and enthusiastic, reports from people who went.
In the end though, Stevenage held on for a point and although many Crewe fans have grumbled about not being able to beat ten men, I think most people would have settled for a point away from home before the match. Besides the last time we faced ten men away from home, we managed to throw away a 3-1 lead and lost the game 4-3...
The fact that I spent most of Saturday evening and a large part of Sunday dozing in front of the television justified my decision not to go to the game. I really would have been cream crackered if I'd gone and had a few pints too. I didn't really enjoy the radio experience though and am looking forward to being back watching it through my own eyes next weekend. Home to Bury. Think it'll be a tough one, but we shouldn't fear any team in this division. Just need to make sure we hit form, like we did against Barnet, rather than struggle like we did against Hereford.
First missed game of the season for me. As predicted I was too knackered and a bit too skint to afford to travel to Stevenage. I was also put off by the fact that the unofficial supporters' coach left Nantwich at 07. 15 of the a.m. and there was no way I was going to be able to make that! Was almost tempted to hop on the train, but a price approaching £70 for a return ticket dissuaded me. So it was me and trusty Radio Stoke on super-crackly Medium Wave.
To be honest, I'd forgotten what a frustrating experience it can be listening to someone else describe a game that you wish you were at. Especially when one of the commentators has a habit of shouting "Goal!" somewhat prematurely. Still, with a couple of bottles of Batemans XXXB to help me I managed to get through it.
The first half didn't sound particularly inspiring for either team, with the highlights on the commentary being the continual chuntering about the referee forcing Crewe to wear Stevenage's yellow away kit to avoid a clash and then more chuntering after the referee blew for a free-kick to Crewe as Shaun Miller was lashing the ball in to the top corner. (Watching the highlights on the Interweb later, it was clear the Stevenage keeper had heard the whistle and made no effort to save it.) Other than than there was the amusement of Graham McGarry's apparent inability to pronounce the name of Stevenage striker Yemi Odubade. Oh-dee-bayou was what he finally settled on... Of course, old Oh-dee-bayou popped up in the last minute of the half to knock in a rebound and give Stevenage the lead.
Second half sounded much better - Crewe were apparently throwing men forward and all over the Stevenage boys and one slick passing move ended with Westwood picking his spot and curling a right-footed shot into the far corner. 1-1 and all to play for. Stevenage were reduced to ten men just after the hour mark when Stacey Long received his marching orders for a second bookable offence. Then Crewe's Shaun Miller was lucky not to follow him after a rash challenge. Manager Dario Gradi subbed him straight away and the 417 travelling Crewe fans got to watch twenty plus minutes of Nick Powell demonstrating that he'll be the next star off the Crewe production line. According to the radio commentary, Stevenage players were bamboozled by his tricks and pace and resorting to fouling him. The lad even nearly opened his goalscoring account on more than one occasion too. Have since heard plenty of good, and enthusiastic, reports from people who went.
In the end though, Stevenage held on for a point and although many Crewe fans have grumbled about not being able to beat ten men, I think most people would have settled for a point away from home before the match. Besides the last time we faced ten men away from home, we managed to throw away a 3-1 lead and lost the game 4-3...
The fact that I spent most of Saturday evening and a large part of Sunday dozing in front of the television justified my decision not to go to the game. I really would have been cream crackered if I'd gone and had a few pints too. I didn't really enjoy the radio experience though and am looking forward to being back watching it through my own eyes next weekend. Home to Bury. Think it'll be a tough one, but we shouldn't fear any team in this division. Just need to make sure we hit form, like we did against Barnet, rather than struggle like we did against Hereford.
Thursday 2 September 2010
The Imp-Possible Dream
Lincoln 1 Crewe 1
Back to the bread-and-butter of the league last Saturday, and despite me saying I was going to cut down on the match day drinking, I didn't. After a lengthy coach trip to the ground and collecting my cheap tickets (thanks to an offer in The Sun) we popped in the club bar for a swift one. The beer was horrible, so we headed off into town for some decent refreshment. We passed some likely looking places but settled on the Wetherspoons as we knew that could be relied upon for two things: cheap beer and tramps. After a few pints and some panicking because my phone wouldn't connect to any network, it was back off up to the ground.
Many of us had been quietly confident and that confidence appeared to have been rewarded when Shaun Miller showed good control and quick feet to snaffle up a rebound and slot it past the keeper. One nil up and we were playing well. Unlike my phone, which was still refusing to connect to any network. Still, it couldn't last and I fixed the phone by the simple expedient of turning it off and then back on again. The same was happening on the pitch as Ashley Westwood switched off for a second and was robbed by Albert Jarrett. The Lincoln man still had plenty to do but with the defence rapidly retreating in front of him and none of the midfielders able to catch him, he had time to pick his spot and draw Lincoln level.
After that, it was anybody's game and both sides had chances to take all three points. Crewe probably came closest at the end with Zola heading against a post and then Westwood seeing a defender block his shot on the line, but before that keeper Taylor had come to our rescue with a fine stop after Jarrett had burst clear of the defence.
Overall, a draw was probably a fair result and although both sets of fans went away feeling a bit frustrated, it had been a decent game of football to watch. Both sides tried to play the ball on the deck and knock it around, which seems a stark contrast to much of the "thud and blunder" stuff we witnessed last season. Mind, it is only four games in to the league season, so we've probably got those to come!
Post-match, I grabbed my bag off the coach and headed off up to Grimsby to spend a few days with an old friend of mine. And I had such a good time that it's only now that I feel like writing this update!
Next match up for Crewe is away at Stevenage on Saturday. It looks like being the first game of the season that I'll miss. I didn't fancy the early start on the supporters' coach, and have left it a bit late to book on the official coach. Could go on the train, but having left it to the last minute, the price is a bit steep.Besides which I could do with a lazy weekend to help me recover from last weekend. I know I could regret it, what with it being a new ground and all, but I think I need to save some cash. So I'll be glued to the radio, listening to Graham McGarry shout "Goal!" every time the ball gets near the six yard box, instead.
Back to the bread-and-butter of the league last Saturday, and despite me saying I was going to cut down on the match day drinking, I didn't. After a lengthy coach trip to the ground and collecting my cheap tickets (thanks to an offer in The Sun) we popped in the club bar for a swift one. The beer was horrible, so we headed off into town for some decent refreshment. We passed some likely looking places but settled on the Wetherspoons as we knew that could be relied upon for two things: cheap beer and tramps. After a few pints and some panicking because my phone wouldn't connect to any network, it was back off up to the ground.
Many of us had been quietly confident and that confidence appeared to have been rewarded when Shaun Miller showed good control and quick feet to snaffle up a rebound and slot it past the keeper. One nil up and we were playing well. Unlike my phone, which was still refusing to connect to any network. Still, it couldn't last and I fixed the phone by the simple expedient of turning it off and then back on again. The same was happening on the pitch as Ashley Westwood switched off for a second and was robbed by Albert Jarrett. The Lincoln man still had plenty to do but with the defence rapidly retreating in front of him and none of the midfielders able to catch him, he had time to pick his spot and draw Lincoln level.
After that, it was anybody's game and both sides had chances to take all three points. Crewe probably came closest at the end with Zola heading against a post and then Westwood seeing a defender block his shot on the line, but before that keeper Taylor had come to our rescue with a fine stop after Jarrett had burst clear of the defence.
Overall, a draw was probably a fair result and although both sets of fans went away feeling a bit frustrated, it had been a decent game of football to watch. Both sides tried to play the ball on the deck and knock it around, which seems a stark contrast to much of the "thud and blunder" stuff we witnessed last season. Mind, it is only four games in to the league season, so we've probably got those to come!
Post-match, I grabbed my bag off the coach and headed off up to Grimsby to spend a few days with an old friend of mine. And I had such a good time that it's only now that I feel like writing this update!
Next match up for Crewe is away at Stevenage on Saturday. It looks like being the first game of the season that I'll miss. I didn't fancy the early start on the supporters' coach, and have left it a bit late to book on the official coach. Could go on the train, but having left it to the last minute, the price is a bit steep.Besides which I could do with a lazy weekend to help me recover from last weekend. I know I could regret it, what with it being a new ground and all, but I think I need to save some cash. So I'll be glued to the radio, listening to Graham McGarry shout "Goal!" every time the ball gets near the six yard box, instead.
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