First-half goals from Courtney Baker-Richardson and Connor O’Riordan saw Crewe Alexandra defeat Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium yesterday.
Manager Lee Bell made 4 changes from Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Gillingham as James Beadle, O’Riordan, Lachlan Brook and Baker-Richardson came into the side for Dave Richards, Regan Griffiths and Elliott Nevitt, who all dropped down to the bench, and David Amoo while Chris Long (after playing 45 mins for the Under-21s earlier in the week) returned to the bench for the first time since September.
The opening chance fell to the visitors in the 24th minute with Brook forcing a save out of Donny keeper Jonathan Mitchell before the Alex took the lead 7 minutes later as Baker-Richardson converted. The lead would be doubled 8 minutes before the break as a corner from Callum Ainley was kept alive at the back post by CBR with O’Riordan heading in his third of the season with James Beadle making an important save just on half-time in the Alex goal.
After a number of changes during the second period, including Long, Bell would have all 4 of his first-team strikers on the pitch and was almost rewarded with a third goal as Dan Agyei couldn’t quite find Long in front of goal. Beadle would keep out Nelson’s header with 9 to play before Mitchell denied substitute Nevitt before the final whistle.
The next games for the Alex see them hosting Barrow on Good Friday before a long trip to Colchester United on Easter Monday.
What can we take out of this game?
This was a win against a team that started the day sitting in the top half.
Whilst the first half was all Alex, the second was about showing our defensive game (as well as another chance for Beadle to show his ability in goal), restricting Rovers in chances.