Oli Finney’s second goal in as many games, as well as a Sam Smith own goal, saw Crewe Alexandra defeat Wigan Athletic in the EFL Trophy as the hosts advance to the knock-out stages with a game to spare.
Manager David Artell made eight changes from Saturday’s 2-2 home draw against Cambridge United with Luke Offord, Chris Porter (who captained the side) and Finney the only starters to retain their places as youngsters Joe Robbins and second-year scholar Joel Tabiner would be on the bench, the latter making his first appearance in the first-team squad.
The opening chance of the game came in the 5th minute with Mika Mandron having an effort blocked by Tom Pearce before Finney opened the scoring 9 minutes later, volleying in from Josh Lundstram’s lobbed through-ball from 12 yards out. Regan Griffiths (twice) and Finney would also have chances that were denied.
Wigan would get a penalty 6 minutes after the break after Terell Thomas was adjusted to have handled the ball by referee Tom Reeves with Dave Richards saving Stephen Humphrys spot-kick, diving away to his left. The second goal came on the hour-mark as Travis Johnson’s cross was headed by Porter was diverted past Sam Tickle in the Latics’ goal.
Our next couple of games see the Alex travel to Fleetwood Town a week on Saturday (16th) before hosting Sunderland the following Tuesday.
What can we take out of this game?
It’s another 10k in the bank for winning the game and it means that we don’t have to worry about needing to get a result in the final group game, topping the group by avoiding defeat against Wolves Under-21s next month.
The game was about getting valuable minutes into players that needed them and giving players who had played the majority of the minutes so far this season the night off – maybe we’ll see a debut or two in the final game seeing as we’re already through.
Alexandra Stadium
EFL Trophy
5/10/2021 8:00 pm
Attendance: 925
Referee: Tom Reeves
| Crewe Alexandra | Wigan Athletic | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finney, o.g. | |||||||
| Richards | Tickle | ||||||
| Johnson | Lloyd | ||||||
| Offord | Kerr | ||||||
| Thomas | Tilt | ||||||
| McFadzean | Pearce | ||||||
| Griffiths | Smith | ||||||
| Gomes | Bayliss | ||||||
| Lundstram | Massey | ||||||
| Finney | Sze | 75 | |||||
| Mandron | Edwards | ||||||
| Porter | Humphrys | ||||||
Substitutes |
|||||||
| Jaaskelainen | Mooney | ||||||
| Ramsay | Carragher | ||||||
| Adebisi | Long | ||||||
| Murphy | Costello | ||||||
| Robbins | Robinson | 75 | |||||
| Tabiner | McGee | ||||||
| Bennett | Adeeko | ||||||
Game Statistics |
||
| 10 | Goal attempts | 11 |
| 5 | On Target | 1 |
| 2 | Corners | 4 |
| 15 | Fouls | 13 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 47 | % | 53 |