A Connor Evans hat-trick helped Crewe Alexandra come from behind twice to defeat Burnley in the Under-21 Professional Development League at the Claret’s Training Ground this afternoon. Callum Ainley would get the other Alex goal while Kade Ratchford, Marcel Lewis and Seb Thompson would score for the hosts.
Manager Michael Jackson named captain Dave Richards in goal behind a back 4 of Sam Bhatti, Zak Kempster-Down, Sam Crolla and a trialist. In front of them were Joel Tabiner and new signing Ryan Finnigan with David Amoo, Ainley and Matus Holicek playing behind Evans. Lewis Billington, Oli Finney, Ty Webster, Owen Lunt, Max Woodcock and goalkeeper Jack Flint were on the bench.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 24th minute with Ratchford getting on the end of a cross from left-back Owen Dodgson before Lewis doubled the lead 13 minutes later with a shot from the edge of the area. The Alex would get one back with 6 minutes to play of the half remaining as Evans would convert a penalty before the Welsh forward would tie the game 3 minutes later.
Burnley would again take the lead 2 minutes after the break, Lewis would have an effort saved by Richards with Thompson converting the rebound before goalkeeper Denis Franchi was sent off for the hosts on 56 minutes. Ainley would restore the parity with a free-kick midway in the second half before Evans completed his hat-trick, again from the spot, with 5 minutes to play.
The next games at this level see the Alex travelling to Sheffield Wednesday this Friday (12:00 pm kick-off) before a trip to Nantwich Town next Wednesday (1st February, 7:45 pm).
Crewe: Richards (c); Bhatti, Kempster-Down, Crolla, Trialist; Finnigan, Tabiner; Amoo, Ainley, Holicek; Evans
Burnley: Franchi; Williams, Ward, Turner, Dodgson; Torraj, Davies, Ratchford (Forshaw 57), Lewis; Tucker, Thompson (Vaughan 81)
Forshaw, Trialist, Sweeney, Vaughan, McCullough
