M1s v Bebington 1s – 4-1 Win
Crewe travelled to the Bebington Oval for their second away game of the season. Crewe started well with Keelan Sherwani scoring from the edge of the D. Crewe then won their only short corner of the game which was converted by Chris Regan to put Crewe 2-0 after 15 minutes. Sam Ellershaw played the ball through to Sherwani who went through on goal with only the keeper to beat. He stayed composed and slotted home his second of the afternoon. Bebington then hit back with a dubious goal to settle the halftime score at 3-1 Crewe. A scrappy second half saw Crewe have the majority of the ball, but they struggled to break down the low block of Bebington players. That was until Sherwani converted his hattrick. Final score Bebington 1 – 4 Crewe Vagrants.
M4s – No game
M2s v Warrington 1s – 1-2 Loss
The men’s 2’s, still looking for their first win of the season following last season’s promotion, lined up against top of the league, Warrington Men’s 1’s. Warrington got off to a fast-paced start, but found themselves unable to break down the formidable looking Crewe defence. It didn’t take long for Crewe to find their feet and take control of the game and go a goal up, following a great tackle from Gibbo at full back, before driving it forward with Bruce getting an assist on a clinical finish from coach Nathan Watson. Crewe then stayed in control of the game until a few minutes before the end of the first half, before Crewe’s very own goat, Paddy the strawberry gave away a short corner where Warrington clinically converted a well-practiced routine. Starting the 2nd half at 1-1 all was still to play for. Crewe started strong and looked dangerous with a few chances narrowly missing the goal. Warrington nearly took the lead with a top left corner drag flick, had it not of been for an outstanding save by Harry. Against the run of play, Warrington did eventually take the lead following the Goat somehow losing possession and Harry putting a composed header into his own goal. With less than two minutes to go, Nathan took the ball onto his reverse stick at the top of the D, as one of their players took his leg instead of the ball, Nath found his inner Bournie and threw himself to the ground winning a short corner for the last play of the game. Unfortunately, Crewe failed to convert, and the game finished 2-1, leaving Crewe still looking for their first win next week at home to Bowden 4’s.
L1s v Clwb Hoci Eiras 1s – 1-0 win
Crewe Vagrants 1s hosted Clwb Hoci Eiras 1s this week, and having been undefeated so far this season, were keen to keep up this winning streak against the current league leaders. The first half started with Crewe under pressure, unfortunately conceding a series of short corners. Excellent saves by goalie Alison Smith and some good clearances by Georgie Holloway and Gilly Gibbs-Blythe, kept the Welsh team from scoring. Heavy rain for the 2nd quarter of the match didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm but, despite some good attempts on goal from Crewe, the score line at half time was 0-0. The second half brought the end of the rain and with the return of the sun, Crewe had a return to goal scoring form. Only a few minutes in Crewe won a free hit just out of the D as a result of some good skill from Emily Critchley. The free hit was taken quickly by Suzi Lawrence with an excellent pass into the D, and a deflection from Jenny Evans, the ball was put firmly onto the boards by Abbie Ibbendon. The rest of the match was a real team effort with everyone digging deep to defend the narrow lead. Special mention to Ola Jama for her high speed runs to help out the defence. The final whistle went with Crewe taking a 1-0 win leaving them 2nd in the league with a game in hand.
L2s v Wilmslow 4s – 3-1 win
The 2s arrived to weather more suited to ducks, and although the sky was grey, spirits were not. Starting strong, an early short corner resulted in a rebound off the keeper being excellently read by Hannah Booth, who swiftly placed it in the back corner. Momentum continued and short passes through the Wilmslow press allowed Crewe to maintain possession and soon after a precise ball from Abi Axon was picked up by Jennie Hewett who megged the keeper with an excellent touch – 2-0. Wilmslow were keen to not go out without a fight, however Crewe’s skilful back line kept any threat at bay, maintaining composure to swiftly return the ball back up the pitch, with no ambiguity to where their outlets were heading. Wilmslow maintained their defensive line and forced clever play in and out of the centre, and shortly before half-time one such ball was picked up by Leanne Read who calmly put it in the goal. Her many successful leads were noted by the opposition, and she was voted their player of the match. Going into the second half rather soggy but 3 goals up left Crewe determined to keep it going, however a long ball down the pitch allowed Wilmslow to get back into the game with a goal. More clever play allowed Crewe to maintain most of the possession throughout, but despite this no more goals came to fruition. The score ended 3-1 and reflected an impressive whole team performance.
L3s V Lymm 4-1 loss
The ladies 3s travelled to Lymm for an early start. Full of determination, we controlled the game from the start resulting in a couple of shots on goal that were saved by their keeper. Keeping the momentum Jayne Sharpe received the ball, ran up the pitch, made a super pass to El Snelson who took their keeper by surprise, shot at goal and scored. 1-0 to CV. Unfortunately, due to a break away by Lymm they equalised to make it 1-1 half time. During the second half CV held strong with positive passes and clearing all defensive corners. Unfortunately, Lymm took control and scored another 3 goals, final score 4-1.
L4s v Triton 2s – 1-4 loss
The ladies 4s went to Sandbach this week to face their 2s, the final score was 4-1 which did not represent the work and effort that Crewe put in. Before the match the team talk included two very direct points for the Crewe ladies to follow in order to play to their best ability, using triangles and setting the press fast. All of the Crewe ladies where able to do this and from doing so, most of the play was in Sandbach’s half of the pitch. Becky Miles was able to score a goal for Crewe however sadly Crewe struggled to keep Sandbach out of the d causing them to score. Overall Crewe ladies 4s worked well as a team and came out of the game with lots of hard work and new tactics. Rachel Conroy was voted POM by her team mates for her ability to distribute the ball out from the back and work well with marking players.
