Mika Mandron’s second goal of the season gave Crewe Alexandra their first point since the opening day of the season, canceling out Sam Cosgrove’s opener, at Shrewsbury Town’s New Meadow yesterday afternoon.
Manager David Artell made six changes from the meeting in the EFL Trophy on August 31st with Will Jaaskelainen returning in goal, Terell Thomas and Luke Offord come into the defence, captain Luke Murphy came into the midfield while Scott Kashket and J’Neil Bennett started up front alongside Mandron. Former Alex loanee Elliott Bennett started for the hosts while Dan Udoh was amongst their substitutes.
The opening chance and goal of the game came in the 20th minute with former Nantwich Town loanee Cosgrove turning the ball in from Joe Leahy’s low cross from close range before the equaliser came a minute from the break as Mandron would also score from close range after a flick from Bennett rebounded off Kasknet into the Frenchman’s path.
Our next couple of games see the Alex host Burton Albion next Saturday before Morecambe visit the Alexandra Stadium the following Tuesday.
What can we take out of this game?
This game was better than we have seen in the past few weeks, both wide men were good in parts playing off Mandron but there are things that the side will look at improving over the next few weeks.
Mandron’s goal wasn’t the most eye-pleasing goal that we’ve seen but hopefully it’ll give the team a little confidence going forward.