Crewe Alexandra v Scunthorpe United

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Football League One

Crewe Alexandra :
Tomlinson, Brayford, Baudet, Lawrence (O'Donnell 15), Jones, Murphy (Carrington 89), Bailey (Moore 46), O'Connor, Daniel, Donaldson, Miller
Subs not used:
Collis, Pope

Scunthorpe United :
Murphy, Wright, Byrne, Mirfin, Williams, Thompson (Hurst 78), McCann (Sparrow 44), Togwell (Pearce 73), Woolford, Hayes, Hooper
Subs not used:
Lillis, Forte

SULSESC REPORT

by Andy Skeels at Gresty Road

SULSESC REPORT

BY ANDY SKEELS AT GRESTY ROAD

It's been 15 years since I last visited Gresty Road, so a return visit was long overdue, particularly as our most recent Saturday trip to Crewe - during the promotion season a couple of years ago - was quickly curtailed when the match was postponed just a couple of minutes after the train had pulled out of Euston.

On that occasion, it was everyone off at Milton Keynes, cross the footbridge, straight onto a London-bound service and we were in the Head of Steam for a mid-morning pint little more than an hour after setting off!

This time, there was no bad weather to worry about as myself, Matt Gray and Mal Watson formed the SULSESC trip on the 10.10 train bound for Chester, but stopping only at Crewe. Little more than two hours later, we were ensconced in the Borough Arms on Earle Street, a little gem of a back street boozer as recommended by Messrs. Duke and Haines.

Vic, with Darren, plus Darren's German workmate, were late arrivals having ticked off The Crown just down the road, and an enjoyable hour-and-a-half soon passed in a blur of unusually named ales.

The ensuing hour-and-a-half was perhaps not so enjoyable. Unless you were a neutral, of course.

There was no questioning the entertainment value but the end result left much to be desired. Having slipped off the automatic promotion pace after an indifferent run of results, there was little room for a slip-up against the team rooted to the foot of the table.

All seemed to be going well 'early doors', despite a missed penalty from Hayes. The United striker redeemed himself shortly afterwards by slotting home the opener from Hooper's cross and although there were times when we looked fragile at the back, Nigel Adkins' men had the better of the first 45 minutes and looked on course for away win number eight.

How things changed in the second-half. Another penalty, this time in the home side's favour, restored parity and suddenly, as the weather deteriorated and the temperature plummeted, so, too, did United's confidence.

An own goal from Crewe's O'Donnell put us 2-1 up against the run of play - but only for a matter of a minute or so before one-time Iron target Clayton Donaldson smacked home the second equaliser following some slipshod Iron defending.

The home side looked by far the more likely winners but after Crewe hit the bar, it seemed we'd escape with a point from a 2-2 draw until O'Donnell popped up in the last minute of injury time to poke home the winner from close range.

There could have been few complaints from the Scunthorpe camp, who got what they deserved and dropped from fourth to sixth in the table as a result of the late lapse. With the second-placed Franchise and third-placed Oldham also losing, it was a good opportunity squandered.

With the rain bucketing down, we bid a hasty retreat to the British Lion pub a couple of hundred yards from the ground to drown our sorrows and kill time before the 18.29 train home. Remarkably, apart from three other Scunny fans, we were the only drinkers in the place. After a dramatic late win, you would have thought the place would have been packed with celebrating Alex supporters, but such is life in modern day, credit crunch blighted Britain!

There was time for a couple of pints and fish 'n' chips before the train journey home, in a carriage rammed with Manchester City and Southend fans, rounded off a top day (the result aside, of course).

And finally (1)... spare a thought for SULSESC member Andy 'Hopper' Kerr, who entered a 2-2 prediction into the double rollover, pre-match sweep. Crewe's late, late winner not only cost United a point, it also prevented Kerr-ie from scooping the £44 pot. At least that cheered the rest of us up! And it also leads to what should be something like a £60 possible pay-out at Millwall next week.

And finally (2)... what on earth was Darren doing buying a day return from Manchester to Stoke when we were away to Crewe? Thank God his travel secretary days are over.