Wing-Back Goal Sees Alex Back Into Automatic Spots

Rio Adebisi’s second-half goal was enough for Crewe Alexandra to defeat Crawley Town at the Alexandra Stadium yesterday which saw the hosts move back into the automatic promotion spots.

Manager Lee Bell made 3 changes from last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Tranmere Rovers as Harvey Davies, Ryan Cooney and Matus Holicek came in for Tom Booth, Chris Long (both injured) and Lewis Billington, the latter dropped down to the bench where he was joined by new signing Keiren Westwood and scholar Calum Agius.

The game’s opening chance came in the 3rd minute as captain Luke Offord struck wide from a corner before Aaron Rowe was booked for a challenge in the 11th minute, a foul that didn’t look too bad from the main stand but one that looked a lot worse from the other side of the ground.

The hosts would hit the post in the 37th minute as Elliott Nevitt’s drive hit the outside of the woodwork before the forward ended the half by volleying an effort into the side netting from a Mickey Demetriou cross from the left. Adebisi would be the next to have a chance 10 minutes after the break, heading wide from a cross from half-time sub Billington before he got his goal just after the hour-mark, getting on the end of a Conor Thomas cross from 6 yards out.

The next couple of games see the Alex travelling to Stockport County on Tuesday before hosting Harrogate Town next Saturday.

Final Thoughts:

This wasn’t a great game (not helped by the time-wasting of the visitors from the early minutes) but the important thing was taking the three points, especially ahead of games against promotion rivals (for at least the play-off spots) Stockport, Harrogate and Notts County that all come before the end of the month.