More Highs and Lowes

Last season, Crewe lost 35 points from winning positions, a weakness that ultimately cost them a place in the Championship. The arrivals of Julien Baudet and Neil Cox were supposed to give Crewe the defensive solidity and mental strength to hold onto a lead. However, Crewe’s performance yesterday afternoon suggested that last season’s weaknesses remain.

The game was surprisingly entertaining, with all four goals arriving in the first half. Just 6 minutes in, Crewe earned a corner following a deflected long range Billy Jones effort. Northampton’s attempted clearance was met with a thumping 25-yard volley from debutant Ryan Lowe. The goal continued Lowe’s sublime start to his Crewe career, following an impressive pre-season. Lowe continued his involvement with a fine pass that found Luke Rodgers in the box, but Rodgers failed to convert.

However, Northampton were level just moments later. Crewe’s left-sided duo of David Vaughan and Billy Jones were caught out as a quick throw found right-winger Pedj Bojic, whose cross was guided in by Cobblers Captain Scott McGleish. The goal was reward for a 5-minute period of Northampton pressure, with Crewe’s defenders failing to be first to the ball.

Fortunately, and perhaps surprisingly, Crewe’s forward play was sufficiently incisive to regain the lead on the 21-minute mark. Having picked up the loose ball, Ryan Lowe delivered as good a cross as I can remember seeing from a Crewe player, enabling David Vaughan to head Crewe back into the lead following an excellently timed late dash into the box.

Not only had the goal given Crewe the lead, but it gave Crewe’s players a temporary confidence unseen at the Alexandra Stadium for some time. Crewe controlled the game for a 10 minute period, keeping the ball superbly, and switching play at will. Julien Baudet sprayed some nice passes across to David Vaughan, and despite missing the last week of training, Tony Grant’s passing was necessarily precise. During this time, Crewe pressed for a third, with Michael Higdon heading over another of Lowe’s excellent crosses. Crewe also had a goal disallowed for offside, as Gary Roberts cleverly found Luke Rodgers in the box, who in turn found the net, only to be denied by the linesman’s flag. Rodgers was working exceptionally hard, and was nearly rewarded with a goal as he made a chance for himself, only to be denied by a superb last ditch tackle from the defender.

Andy Kirk looked lively for Northampton up front, as he kept the ball well and looked to pounce on any loose balls in the box. Unfortunately for Crewe, Kirk found the necessary time and space in the box with just 4 minutes to go until half-time, and his turn and finish from 6-yards beat Ben Williams to end the half level. David Vaughan had again been caught unaware as Crewe dallied, whilst Darran Kempson made his only mistake of the afternoon as he went to ground when perhaps he should have stayed on his feet.

The second half didn’t quite live up to the standards of the first, though Crewe had the better of the half. Northampton appeared happy with a draw, and seemed perfectly happy to hand Crewe the initiative and perhaps sneak a winner on the counter-attack.

Michael Higdon directed a header just wide of the post midway through the half, before the Crewe boo-boys vented their anger. Following a few quiet chants of ‘Dario Out’, Dario replaced the tiring Luke Rodgers with Nicky Maynard – a decision greeted with a chorus of boos from sections of the crowd. The boo-boys disgracefully made their feelings clear that they wanted Higdon off, and began to boo the forward, as well as chanting ‘We want Higdon Out’. Following the substitution, Ryan Lowe went close on three occasions, hitting the bar, shooting just wide and having his shot tipped out for a corner. Darran Kempson also had a header magnificiently saved by the large figure of Harper in the Northampton goal. Nicky Maynard was then hauled down on the edge of the box, though the referee, who didn’t enjoy the best of afternoons, failed to give either a free kick or a penalty.

Michael Higdon was unfairly denied the perfect rebuke to the treatment from sections of the crowd, as he headed in a Vaughan cross. The crowd were already celebrating, and depsite no Northampton appeals, the linesman saw reason to disallow the goal, apparently for a push!? It was prooving to be one of those days, as a superb ball from substitute Michael O’Connor found Ryan Lowe, who placed a volley back across the penalty area, which only just evaded the sliding figure of Nicky Maynard.

Player Ratings

Ben Williams 5
Although not given much help by his defence at times, Williams didn’t look convincing and failed to make a save for either goal.

Jon Otsemobor 7
Otsemobor defended resolutely and seemed to be enjoying the captaincy. However, Semmy didn’t produce any of his marauding runs from the back, and failed to overlap when Lowe required support.

Billy Jones 6
Billy had a mixed game. His long range effort earned the corner from which Lowe’s goal resulted, and at times, he hassled Bojic well. However, Crewe looked weak down the left hand side and Billy will need to improve his partnership with Vaughany if this is to improve.

Darran Kempson 8
Although caught out slightly for the second goal, Kempson looked like another excellent signing. The youngster was dominant in the air, whilst his speed ensured Northampton found it difficult to get in behind.

Julien Baudet 6
Baudet wasn’t as impressive as he has been in pre-season, though he did get better as the game went on. Baudet needs to be first to more balls into the box if he is to be deemed a success, though he did spray some nice passes across the pitch.

Ryan Lowe 9
Lowe’s goal was fantastic, but his crossing was equally impressive. Lowe found Vaughan for Crewe’s second goal and was a constant menace to Northampton. The winger looked to have a real hunger to do well, and looks like being the latest fans’ favourite.

David Vaughan 6
Vaughan’s goal showed good movement and will have pleased the midfielder and the manager, both of whom are looking for the Welsh international to score more goals. Vaughan did make a few incisive runs, though his defensive naivities cost Crewe dearly.

Tony Grant 6
Grant has missed training all week, but his passing was still as precise as ever. The midfielder wasn’t the influential figure he can be, but it was a solid start to the season for the ex-Burnley man.

Gary Roberts 7
Roberts looks to have developed as well as anyone over the summer. Not only is he bigger physically, but he looks to be more defensively aware.

Luke Rodgers 7
Rodgers got into some good positions and made some good chances for himself, but failed to take the chances which came his way.

Michael Higdon 6
Higdon was extremely unfortunate to have his goal disallowed, and did win some headers during the afternoon. However, many of the headers were wayward and his ability to hold onto the ball was inadequate.

Nicky Maynard 7
Maynard looked lively when he came on and very nearly earned his side a penalty. Maynard’s pace was used to good effect as he got in behind and very nearly connected with a Lowe cross.
Despite only being on the field briefly, O’Connor displayed what a good player he is with a fine long-range pass which found Lowe at the far post.