Southend 0 Crewe 2
Bleedin' typical. Crewe finally keep a clean sheet and it's 250 miles away, in front of about 250 hardy souls who made the long trek. I was tempted by the trip all week but didn't get round to sorting out stuff at home so ended up with a bag of stuff that needed doing on Saturday morning. And, to be honest, I was a bit skint, so didn't want to over-stretch the old budget.
Instead I once again spent my Saturday afternoon watching Nantwich Town and half-listening to Radio Stoke for updates. (I really ought to get a portable DAB radio for such occasions as these...). Whilst I was hearing of goal-line clearances and a missed penalty for Crewe, Nantwich were enjoying a largely untroubled passage into the next round of the FA Trophy. Two virtually identical goals from Lennon put Nantwich in the driving seat. They conceded a soft penalty to let lower league opponents, Prescot Cables, back into the match briefly, but Lennon notched another couple before half time to kill the match off. The second half was largely no-contest. Prescot attacked sporadically but Nantwich were comfortable and looked like scoring on every attack. Prescot did notch another goal but Blake and Whittaker both got on the score sheet for Nantwich to give them a deserved 6-2 win. The only downside of the day was seeing Tickle carried off at the end following a heavy challenge. He has apparently broken his ankle and won't be back before Christmas.
Anyway, am off to watch Nantwich again tonight, rather than attend the Crewe Fans' Forum. I've been to too many of those forums and they're always the same. People demand action and angry questions beforehand but none ever materialises and then chairman John Bowler spins anything awkward away anyway. Dario is usually more interesting but you can still pretty much predict his stock answers.
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Ball Of Confusion
Crewe 3 Torquay 3
Crazy, crazy times. Having come away from the Macclesfield league game eleven days ago thinking that Crewe's strikers looked they couldn't score in a month of Sundays, we've now scored 12 in our last three games. Similarly, after thinking the defence looked a lot more solid compared to previous years, we've now conceded 10 goals in those same three games.
Yesterday was a bit strange all round. I didn't go for my lucky walk - I'd got a mid-morning doctor's appointment and Charlie was visiting a friend so we couldn't fit it in. My usual matchday companion was missing, presumed pissed, at a pool tournament in Great Yarmouth, so I went with another colleague from work and there was a queue stretching back up Gresty Road outside the ticket office at quarter to three. A sight not seen for a few seasons.
And after about fifteen minutes or so, I was fearing the worst. From a corner, Torquay picked out the unmarked Ellis, who powered a header home. Then from a free-kick Ellis again found himself unmarked to head home number two. Two set pieces and two goals. Looked like our defensive woes were going to continue. However after that, I thought Crewe came back into the game but they weren't really creating any clear cut chances and with Lee Bell having an off day in the middle of the park were struggling to get the passing game going. Still, we got a lifeline just before the break when Torquay defender Branston was judged to have handled the ball and a penalty was awarded. Lee Bell stepped up and compounded his bad day by blasting it on to the bar. Cue general dismay and feeling that it might not be our day. Luckily Donaldson was in the right place to volley home after the ball looped up to him off a defender. Going into the half-time break only one down was better than we could have expected after the early exchanges.
Went for a pint at half time but the queue was so long I gave up as I got the feeling I wouldn't have time to drink it and get back to my seat in time. And that's the first time I've done that too!
Anyway, Crewe came out fired up n the second half and were looking the better side but still really struggling to create clear-cut chances. And on 67 minutes disaster struck, when Lee Bell brought down Benyon inside the Crewe half and he launched an attack with a quickly-taken free-kick. O'Kane found himself with time and space to pick his spot and Crewe were once again two goals down. Arse!
For once, Dario responded by taking off Donaldson and Grant and bringing on Miller and Leitch-Smith. With those two, especially Miller, running at a tiring defence things started to get a bit stretched. After some clever work down the right the ball came across to Westwood who volleyed it home from about twenty yards or so. A super shot, well worth checking out on the BBC highlights. And then just four minutes later there was a scramble in the penalty area as the ball bobbled around and Branston brought down Leitch-Smith for the referee to award Crewe a second penalty of the afternoon. This time Westwood stepped up and made no mistake to level the scores at three apiece.
With about quarter of an hour to go there was still time for either side to snatch it, but Crewe were making the better chances. Sub Nick Powell put a close range header over and then Murphy did like wise. Mean while up at the other end Blanchett had to make a goal line clearance to prevent Ellis notching a hat-trick. At the end I think the Crewe fans were more pleased with the draw than the Torquay ones. We've criticised Crewe for not being able to close out games from two up, so it was good to see us do that to another side, for a change.
So, it's now nine games unbeaten and raining goals. Trouble is the draws aren't enough to stop us sliding down the table. Would quite happily settle for some boring 1-0 wins right now, to be honest. Next up is Southend away and I won't be making the trek for that one. Well, I'm not planning to, right now, that could change during the week, of course. Think it'll be another tough game and I'll settle for a draw.
Crazy, crazy times. Having come away from the Macclesfield league game eleven days ago thinking that Crewe's strikers looked they couldn't score in a month of Sundays, we've now scored 12 in our last three games. Similarly, after thinking the defence looked a lot more solid compared to previous years, we've now conceded 10 goals in those same three games.
Yesterday was a bit strange all round. I didn't go for my lucky walk - I'd got a mid-morning doctor's appointment and Charlie was visiting a friend so we couldn't fit it in. My usual matchday companion was missing, presumed pissed, at a pool tournament in Great Yarmouth, so I went with another colleague from work and there was a queue stretching back up Gresty Road outside the ticket office at quarter to three. A sight not seen for a few seasons.
And after about fifteen minutes or so, I was fearing the worst. From a corner, Torquay picked out the unmarked Ellis, who powered a header home. Then from a free-kick Ellis again found himself unmarked to head home number two. Two set pieces and two goals. Looked like our defensive woes were going to continue. However after that, I thought Crewe came back into the game but they weren't really creating any clear cut chances and with Lee Bell having an off day in the middle of the park were struggling to get the passing game going. Still, we got a lifeline just before the break when Torquay defender Branston was judged to have handled the ball and a penalty was awarded. Lee Bell stepped up and compounded his bad day by blasting it on to the bar. Cue general dismay and feeling that it might not be our day. Luckily Donaldson was in the right place to volley home after the ball looped up to him off a defender. Going into the half-time break only one down was better than we could have expected after the early exchanges.
Went for a pint at half time but the queue was so long I gave up as I got the feeling I wouldn't have time to drink it and get back to my seat in time. And that's the first time I've done that too!
Anyway, Crewe came out fired up n the second half and were looking the better side but still really struggling to create clear-cut chances. And on 67 minutes disaster struck, when Lee Bell brought down Benyon inside the Crewe half and he launched an attack with a quickly-taken free-kick. O'Kane found himself with time and space to pick his spot and Crewe were once again two goals down. Arse!
For once, Dario responded by taking off Donaldson and Grant and bringing on Miller and Leitch-Smith. With those two, especially Miller, running at a tiring defence things started to get a bit stretched. After some clever work down the right the ball came across to Westwood who volleyed it home from about twenty yards or so. A super shot, well worth checking out on the BBC highlights. And then just four minutes later there was a scramble in the penalty area as the ball bobbled around and Branston brought down Leitch-Smith for the referee to award Crewe a second penalty of the afternoon. This time Westwood stepped up and made no mistake to level the scores at three apiece.
With about quarter of an hour to go there was still time for either side to snatch it, but Crewe were making the better chances. Sub Nick Powell put a close range header over and then Murphy did like wise. Mean while up at the other end Blanchett had to make a goal line clearance to prevent Ellis notching a hat-trick. At the end I think the Crewe fans were more pleased with the draw than the Torquay ones. We've criticised Crewe for not being able to close out games from two up, so it was good to see us do that to another side, for a change.
So, it's now nine games unbeaten and raining goals. Trouble is the draws aren't enough to stop us sliding down the table. Would quite happily settle for some boring 1-0 wins right now, to be honest. Next up is Southend away and I won't be making the trek for that one. Well, I'm not planning to, right now, that could change during the week, of course. Think it'll be another tough game and I'll settle for a draw.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
I'm Not Hanging Around
Macclesfield 2 Crewe 4
(Johnstone's Paints Trophy, Round 2)
Didn't go to this one either as I wasn't feeling too good and it's a ball ache getting back from Macc on public transport. Plus I'm not that bothered about the "Gayers Cup that no none cares about till they get to the final" as a friend described it. Probably should have made the effort as I missed out on three own goals, a penalty and some sublime attacking football.
(Johnstone's Paints Trophy, Round 2)
Didn't go to this one either as I wasn't feeling too good and it's a ball ache getting back from Macc on public transport. Plus I'm not that bothered about the "Gayers Cup that no none cares about till they get to the final" as a friend described it. Probably should have made the effort as I missed out on three own goals, a penalty and some sublime attacking football.
Boy, Missing
Chesterfield 5 Crewe 5
Well, I'll be honest. I wasn't there. Had planned to go but a family get-together knackered my plans. Possibly could have made it had I had a jet plane or teleporter available in order to get back from Chesterfield in time. Sadly, I can afford neither.
Made do instead with going to watch Nantwich Town at home to Kendal in the Evo-Stik Premier League (the league formerly known as the Northern Premier League). I could at least pretend it was a scouting mission of sorts, as Crewe's Jordan Connerton turned out for his first appearance in a month-long loan spell at Nantwich. It didn't take him long to make an impact, playing the ball into acres of space on the edge of the area for Blackhurst to run on to and smash into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. Minutes later there was a moment of magic from former Crewe winger, Rodney Jack as he took on several defenders before slotting home Nantwich's second. In the meantime news was filtering through from some old Alex boys, glued to their radios, that Crewe were two up at Chesterfield. That soon went to 3, and in some kind of spooky response, Nantwich added a third.themselves as Connerton again laid the ball into space for Carr to lash home. Nantwich added a fourth from a corner, when the keeper flapped at it and Lennon poked home from close range. meantime oer in Chesterfield, the home side had pulled one back before Crewe restored their lead. and Kendal finally got on the score sheet at the Dabberdome.
Both games hit half time with scorelines of 4-1, as if Nantwich and Crewe were competing to see who could score the most. Sadly, that's where the similarities ended. Nantwich soon added a fifth and the game was as good as over. There was still time for a nervy last quarter of an hour after Nantwich's normally reliable keeper, Chapman, misjudged one at the far post and then Tickle slammed a low cross into his own net to make the score 5-3. Over in Chesterfield, Crewe were making a right pig's ear of it and started to crumble under constant Chesterfield pressure. A second Chesterfield goal and then a third from the penalty spot had the alarm bells ringing. Normal service appeared to be resumed when Donaldson notched a fifth for the Alex, but there was still time enough for Chesterfield to get a second penalty and then grab an unlikely equaliser to draw the game five apiece. Unbelievable, Jeff! As someone once said.
Let's hope we're a bit better defensively at home to Torquay this weekend. The Gulls haven't won since storming to the top of the league in August. Shit. Think I might just have jinxed it!
Well, I'll be honest. I wasn't there. Had planned to go but a family get-together knackered my plans. Possibly could have made it had I had a jet plane or teleporter available in order to get back from Chesterfield in time. Sadly, I can afford neither.
Made do instead with going to watch Nantwich Town at home to Kendal in the Evo-Stik Premier League (the league formerly known as the Northern Premier League). I could at least pretend it was a scouting mission of sorts, as Crewe's Jordan Connerton turned out for his first appearance in a month-long loan spell at Nantwich. It didn't take him long to make an impact, playing the ball into acres of space on the edge of the area for Blackhurst to run on to and smash into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. Minutes later there was a moment of magic from former Crewe winger, Rodney Jack as he took on several defenders before slotting home Nantwich's second. In the meantime news was filtering through from some old Alex boys, glued to their radios, that Crewe were two up at Chesterfield. That soon went to 3, and in some kind of spooky response, Nantwich added a third.themselves as Connerton again laid the ball into space for Carr to lash home. Nantwich added a fourth from a corner, when the keeper flapped at it and Lennon poked home from close range. meantime oer in Chesterfield, the home side had pulled one back before Crewe restored their lead. and Kendal finally got on the score sheet at the Dabberdome.
Both games hit half time with scorelines of 4-1, as if Nantwich and Crewe were competing to see who could score the most. Sadly, that's where the similarities ended. Nantwich soon added a fifth and the game was as good as over. There was still time for a nervy last quarter of an hour after Nantwich's normally reliable keeper, Chapman, misjudged one at the far post and then Tickle slammed a low cross into his own net to make the score 5-3. Over in Chesterfield, Crewe were making a right pig's ear of it and started to crumble under constant Chesterfield pressure. A second Chesterfield goal and then a third from the penalty spot had the alarm bells ringing. Normal service appeared to be resumed when Donaldson notched a fifth for the Alex, but there was still time enough for Chesterfield to get a second penalty and then grab an unlikely equaliser to draw the game five apiece. Unbelievable, Jeff! As someone once said.
Let's hope we're a bit better defensively at home to Torquay this weekend. The Gulls haven't won since storming to the top of the league in August. Shit. Think I might just have jinxed it!
Friday, 1 October 2010
The Disappointed
Crewe 1 Macclesfield 1
There should have been no need for a lucky walk for Crewe to beat Macclesfield at home, but clearly our wayward strikers need some sort of cosmic assistance. An evening of missed chances and a touch of luck ended with Crewe snatching a draw from a game that should have been won before half time.
Macclesfield actually made the better start with Barnett getting a shot off that Taylor did well to deflect. Thereafter Crewe took control of the game, but despite creating plenty, never really made a clear cut chance. Miller put in a cross that only just evaded Bell, Westwood curled an effort wide and Donaldson wasted a good position. In amongst all that Macclesfield managed to beat the Crewe offside trap, but Taylor did enough to prevent Draper taking advantage. Half time came and despite Crewe dominating the game, it was all square.
The second half kicked off with Crewe looking to improve on their first half showing. Powell replaced Grant and the Alex were immediately on the front foot. Miller forced a good save from the Macclesfield keeper and then had an great chance in the area, but could only lift the ball high and wide. Disaster followed as Macclesfield won a corner and Barnett powered in a header. It could have been worse as Macc soon had the ball in the net a second time but fortunately it was ruled out for a foul. Crewe started throwing men forward as the half wore on and Donaldson hit the outside of the post with a chance, but despite the territory and possession, Crewe couldn't force the Macc keeper into a meaningful save. With the arrival of Moore and Leitch-Smith for Donaldson and Murphy, Crewe upped the pressure even further but it looked like being one of those games. Luckily, salvation arrived as Powell carried the ball into the area and as he was tackled it ricocheted to Leitch-Smith, who stepped inside a challenge and slotted the ball into the far corner to level the game.
Both sides looked for a winner in the five minutes of injury time, with Miller coming closest for Crewe, but neither side really looked like pinching it. In the end, it was a relief to get a draw from a game we looked like losing, but overall it was disappointing to only get a point at home. Seven games unbeaten we may be, but that includes five draws and two consecutive draws at home. Got to start notching up some wins, although the fixtures don't give us much room for optimism.
Next up a trip to Chesterfield for the Alex. And a day at home for me as I've got family coming over so can't make the trip.
There should have been no need for a lucky walk for Crewe to beat Macclesfield at home, but clearly our wayward strikers need some sort of cosmic assistance. An evening of missed chances and a touch of luck ended with Crewe snatching a draw from a game that should have been won before half time.
Macclesfield actually made the better start with Barnett getting a shot off that Taylor did well to deflect. Thereafter Crewe took control of the game, but despite creating plenty, never really made a clear cut chance. Miller put in a cross that only just evaded Bell, Westwood curled an effort wide and Donaldson wasted a good position. In amongst all that Macclesfield managed to beat the Crewe offside trap, but Taylor did enough to prevent Draper taking advantage. Half time came and despite Crewe dominating the game, it was all square.
The second half kicked off with Crewe looking to improve on their first half showing. Powell replaced Grant and the Alex were immediately on the front foot. Miller forced a good save from the Macclesfield keeper and then had an great chance in the area, but could only lift the ball high and wide. Disaster followed as Macclesfield won a corner and Barnett powered in a header. It could have been worse as Macc soon had the ball in the net a second time but fortunately it was ruled out for a foul. Crewe started throwing men forward as the half wore on and Donaldson hit the outside of the post with a chance, but despite the territory and possession, Crewe couldn't force the Macc keeper into a meaningful save. With the arrival of Moore and Leitch-Smith for Donaldson and Murphy, Crewe upped the pressure even further but it looked like being one of those games. Luckily, salvation arrived as Powell carried the ball into the area and as he was tackled it ricocheted to Leitch-Smith, who stepped inside a challenge and slotted the ball into the far corner to level the game.
Both sides looked for a winner in the five minutes of injury time, with Miller coming closest for Crewe, but neither side really looked like pinching it. In the end, it was a relief to get a draw from a game we looked like losing, but overall it was disappointing to only get a point at home. Seven games unbeaten we may be, but that includes five draws and two consecutive draws at home. Got to start notching up some wins, although the fixtures don't give us much room for optimism.
Next up a trip to Chesterfield for the Alex. And a day at home for me as I've got family coming over so can't make the trip.
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
If I Can't Change Your Mind
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.
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.
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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