Ollie Finney’s first senior goal for Crewe Alexandra helped Crewe Alexandra to send their EFL Trophy game against Mansfield Town to penalties and beat their hosts at Field Mill last night. Despite Perry Ng missing the first in the shootout, goals from Jones, Pickering, Finney and Kirk, along with two saves from stand-in keeper Dave Richards, insured that the visitors gained the extra point.
Manager David Artell made 8 changes from Saturday’s 1-1 home draw against Exeter City where only Eddie Nolan, Ryan Wintle and Owen Dale retained their places. Richards (in for Will Jaaskelainen who is on international duty with Finland’s Under-21s), debutant Travis Johnson, captain Ng, Rio Adebisi, Finney, Paul Green, Chuma Anene and Callum Ainley all coming into the team with Pickering, Jones, Chris Porter, Kirk and Nicky Hunt all dropping down to the bench while Ollie Lancashire and Tom Lowery were given the night off. Sam Booth and Josh Lundstram completed the bench.
The first goal of the game came on 18 minutes with Jimmy Knowles beating Richards from 20 yards while the equaliser came on the stroke of half-time with Finney getting in down the left-wing with his cross finding the top corner of the net.
We are back in league action on Saturday with a trip to Carlisle United before a home game against Swindon Town the following Saturday. The final game in the group, a home game against Everton’s Under-21 side, takes place on Wednesday 6th November.
What can we learn from this game?
Like in the previous game in this competition against Burton last month, it was good for those players on the fringe of the starting 11 to get some match-sharpness as well as Perry and Greeny making their first starts following recent red cards.
With a lot of the younger players involved, it’ll be interesting to see who plays for the Under-23s in their home game this afternoon (coverage will be on the site later).