Two first-half goals from former Oldham Athletic striker Chris Porter gave Crewe Alexandra their first win of the season in their first away game at Boundary Park against the Latics yesterday afternoon.
Manager David Artell made one change from last Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat against Plymouth Argyle with summer signing Olly Lancashire making his debut for the club replacing midfielder James Jones in the starting 11 with Ryan Wintle moving from centre-back into his more familiar defensive midfield role. Jones dropped down to the bench where he was joined by first-year professional Rio Adebisi, the first time that the young defender had been involved for the senior team in a match-day squad.
The opening chance of the game came in the 2nd minute as Zak Mills’ right-wing cross was headed over Will Jaaskelainen by Christopher Missilou before the first Alex attempt came on 20 minutes as Paul Green’s cross was diverted by Daniel Powell with his effort saved easily by Gary Woods. The Alex would level a minute later as Porter would score a header from Tom Lowery’s cross before both keepers would make decent saves, first Jaaskelainen would deny Mills then Woods would stop Powell.
More chances fell to the visitors with Porter being denied by Woods then Lancashire missing the target from close-range. Porter would add his second of the game 4 minutes before the break from the penalty spot after a great run from Powell.
Into the second period, after 2 changes at the break for Oldham saw Gevaro Nepomuceno and Desire Segbe Azankpo come on for Mills and Urko Vera, where it was more of the same with Charlie Kirk chipping the ball wide before Woods would make another save from Powell. Jaaskelainen made another save from Missilou. Substitute Owen Dale (on for Powell) would head wide moments after coming on before a stoppage-time scare from Segbe Azankpo would see the Alex head home with all 3 points.
The Alex travel to Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night and return to league action next Saturday as we host Walsall at the Alexandra Stadium.
What can we get from this result?
I’m feeling a little similar to last week (which sounds a little strange I know) but I’m not going to get too excited on this win. It’s great to see us get off the mark away from home this early, it took us until the end of September to score away from home and into October to win in the league last season.
It’s good to have Porter off the mark, especially as we have limited cover up top but we’ll need to defend better on Tuesday night if we are to advance through in the cup (not that I expect anything out of the game).