Crewe Away: Ground 42

Crewe 4-1 Daggers

I set off with my little brother Chaz at around 9 o'clock in order to get to Dagenham East to get the tube to Euston and eventually meet the Bognor Daggers Chris, Matt, Joe & Michael to catch our train to Crewe. We arrived in Cheshire just before one where the station was literally minutes away from Gresty Road. We were advised to go to the Royal Hotel but decided in the true lower league spirit we would go into the social club next to the ground which was very friendly with a mix of both groups of supporters as we settled down to watch the early game between Norwich and Chelsea. Fellow blogger Nick came in shortly afterwards having made the journey up on the supporter's coach as we discussed our thoughts on today's game. We were then approached by the Crewe tannoy man who required assistance in pronouncing ex AFC Wimbledon man Oluwafemi Ilesanmi and on loan West Ham youngster's Ahmed Abdulla and Eion Wearen's names.

Early start for Crewe - view from my bedroom window

We made our way into the ground just after half 2 and my first impressions was that it was a tidy little ground that had one really impressive stand that towered over the rest which was the Air Products stand. With a capacity of 10,153 and an average crowd of 3,500, it was always going to look slightly empty as we were given the whole of the Blue Bell BMW stand which was more than accommodating for our average 100 away following. The team news was soon announced by our new northern friend the tannoy man as the Railwaymen made just one change to the team that beat Oxford away last week as the match winner from that game Greg Pearson was rewarded a start meaning the England U18 international Nick Powell was forced out on the wing while Crewe born Danny Shelley was dropped to the bench. Another Crewe graduate AJ Leitch-Smith also returned to the bench from injury. The Daggers made two changes from their FA Cup encounter against Millwall as Colombian Cristian Montano was eligible to play and in form Brian Woodall returned to the side with utility man Richard Rose and winger DJ Green making way. With Still having to return to only having 5 substitutes he went with the bench including Hogan, Arbs, Rose, Wearen and Cunnington.

The teams took to the pitch...

The game started with the home side dominating most of the possession as they played some neat Arsenal-esque passing style football in the early periods. Despite Steve Davis' men's possession, they failed to trouble the organised Daggers as efforts from midfielder Luke Murphy and the confident Nick Powell were unsuccessful in troubling Kent born keeper Chris Lewington. It was the Essex club who took the lead on 16 minutes as the persistent Brian Woodall blocked ex Morecambe man David Artell's clearance to then add a sublime finish past the experienced Steve Phillips to give John Still's men the lead. This unfazed Crewe as they continued to stick to their delightful passing style and again created a chance from the threatening Luke Murphy who dragged his effort wide. The Daggers were content with playing on the break away from home as Wembley hero Jon Nurse forced Phillips into a save after some good build up play from Montano and Femi. With Daggers playing into the wind, the ball was holding up well for Alexandra as Lewington did well to punch an inviting cross from Crewe academy man Ashley Westwood.

 Ex Arsenal man Abu Ogogo was doing well to keep the highly rated Nick Powell quiet but he did manage to force Lewy into a save just after the half hour mark to give the Daggers a warning. Crewe were starting to get through a resolute Daggers defence as some good footwork from the tricky Byron Moore past left back Femi enforced a reflex save from Lewy once again. Just as it was looking as the Daggers were going to hold out for the break, Crewe equalised as suspected offside David Artell made amends for his earlier error and headed down for the in form Greg Pearson to put the ball past the Daggers keeper Lewy. A massive blow for the Daggers whose shape was looking organised and seemed to have adequately dealt with Alexandra's attacking threats.

The Daggers emerge for the second half...

This was a big second half for the Daggers who really needed to get a foothold in the game and start to enjoy some possession which had been largely dominated by the home side. However, Crewe came out looking the more likely team to score in the early stages of the second half as another good passing move cut open the Daggers defence as Pearson's cross forced a corner which Pearson then had a header which required Daggers winger Dom Green to clear off the line. Both sides then worked the keepers as the exciting Luke Murphy forced a good save from Lewington while the fairly quiet Montano sharply turned to force Phillips into a save. Still then made two changes in 5 minutes as he withdrew half fit Brian Woodall and ineffective Dom Green for ex Kettering man Adam Cunnington and Irish Eion Wearen respectively.

Then came the game changing moment as the strong Abu Ogogo dispossessed Powell to play a back pass back to Lewy, the wind then went up as there was a bobble in the pitch and the young keeper completely missed the ball as it rolled into the net. A moment that Daggers most in form player will want to forget as you would have to feel sympathy for the promising youngster. Despite, the Daggers obviously wounded, we then had our best spell of the game as substitute Cunnington's clever flick was unlucky to not find the back of the net. The Barbados international Jon Nurse then sprung into action as he robbed the ball from keeper Phillips only for full back Matt Tootle to head the ball over. There was then a goalmouth scramble where the promising young West Ham midfielder Eion Wearen couldn't get his shot away. The game then was put out of Daggers reach as controversially they conceded a free kick although the ball looked to have gone out before holding midfielder Ahmed Abdulla made the foul to receive a booking. From the resulting free kick, poor marking allowed ex Droylsden centre half Adam Dugdale to be left free as he headed home at the back post. Steve Davis then introduced AJ Leitch-Smith who assisted in the 4th goal for Crewe as he put through the talented Nick Powell who exquisitely put the ball past the unlucky keeper after hesitant defending from the centre half partnership of Scott Doe and Mickey Spillane. The game finished 4-1 as it was another frustrating afternoon for the League Two strugglers.

Me at Gresty Road with my good friend Nick Murphy.

Me and my little brother Chaz at Gresty Road.

As we boarded the train home just after half 5 from Crewe, I started to reflect on the game on which I admit I was hurting as I am becoming increasingly worried about our fate come the end of the season. In a game where we got little luck with the game changing moment being the 2nd goal where I just felt so sorry for our young keeper Lewy who is one of the most promising young keepers around. As I always like to remain upbeat and positive, I did take the positives from the game. I felt apart from the last 10 minutes the shape was good all game and we looked very organised which hasn't always been the case the season. I felt that both full backs played well again as Abu Ogogo and Femi have both been consistent performers the last few games. Ex Brentford man Mickey Spillane also looked our most composed and best player on the ball which did make me question whether with the absence of the experienced Kevin Maher and Peter Gain whether we should bring Spillane into midfield and allow our club captain Mark Arber a way back into the side.

Despite the positives in the game, I felt we lost the game in both boxes where all games are won and lost as Crewe were a joy to watch. The philosophy of their patient passing moves was rather refreshing at this level and looks a great place for any young player to learn their trade playing attractive football. The Railwaymen also had 9 Crewe youth academy graduates in their 16 man squad yesterday showing just how much the club takes pride in producing young homegrown talent and is something we need to see more of at this level. I also felt that a few players in the Daggers side maybe need to reevaluate their performances in particular Jon Nurse and Cristian Montano who didn't have their best games going forward as well as the weak midfield three of Abdulla, Green and Bingham again struggling to make an impact on a very impressive Crewe midfield.

The Daggers fell back into the bottom two after this defeat as Plymouth equalised late on at home to Crawley. We do however have a game in hand at Torquay on Tuesday where games are now running out for the boys. Wins for Barnet, AFC Wimbledon and Bristol Rovers meant they went further adrift from the Daggers as well as Hereford picking up a point at Oxford. We now have 20 games left in this season and I believe we may need 8 wins and 3 draws to ensure safety which is looking a tough ask but not unachievable in my opinion. I believe we need to get Josh Scott back from injury as soon as possible as he seems to bring the best out of wingers Montano and Nurse as well as one of our more experienced central midfielders Maher or Gain to return who are both a month off fitness. I am also unaware of how long Luke Howell is away from fitness who seemed to offer something to the team as well. I will post a preview of Tuesday's encounter with Torquay on Monday however I will not be in attendance of the game on Tuesday night as it will be my first league game missed since the opening day of the season. Keep the faith. Together we have the ability to get out of this. Stay positive.