Former Alex trialist Sam Winnall, on the comeback trail after injury as the striker played the opening half before being replaced, scored the only goal of the game in the Under-23 Professional Development League 2 tie between Sheffield Wednesday and Crewe Alexandra this afternoon at Hillsborough.
Manager Alex Morris named Dave Richards in goal (as captain) with 5 defenders in front of him with Luke Offord, Billy Sass-Davies and Matthew Fenton as centre-backs and Travis Johnson and Rio Adebisi on the right and left respectively. In midfield are Connor Heath, Josh Lundstram and Joe Robbins whilst Lewis Reilly and Malachi Linton the strikers. The subs this afternoon were goalkeeper Sam Booth, Jakob Priestman and Ethan Hartshorn.
The goal came on 28 minutes as Jack Stobbs’ right-wing cross was turned in by Winnall whilst the Alex tested Joe Wildsmith in the home goal with efforts from a couple of Lundstram efforts, one header from a corner that was cleared off the line and one from long-range, and a Reilly curler that was deflected wide.
Into the second period where midfielder Liam Shaw shot wide after a pass from half-time substitute Eyad Hammoud whilst Reilly had the best chance for the Alex in the second-half but his effort was comfortable for Wildsmith.
The next game for Morris’ men is on Tuesday night in the Cheshire Senior Cup against Cheadle Town with them returning to league action a week on Wednesday (24th) with a game against Nottingham Forest.
Crewe (5-3-2): Richards (c); T. Johnson, Sass-Davies, Offord, Fenton, Adebisi; Heath, Robbins, Lundstram; Reilly, Linton
Sheff Wed: Wildsmith, Hughes, Fox, Hutchinson (Clarke 62), O’Grady, Shaw (Waldock 81), Stobbs, Kirby, Lonchar, Grant, Winnall (Hammoud 46)
