In focus: Crewe Alexandra match preview

1 February 2021

Take a closer look at the latest stats and facts in our match preview ahead of Town's Sky Bet League One clash with Crewe Alexandra.

Salop welcome Crewe Alexandra to Montgomery Waters Meadow tomorrow evening for another Sky Bet League One fixture. Town will be looking to record a second consecutive win with the visit of the Railwaymen following on from a 2-0 victory over Peterborough United.

Crewe have enjoyed a solid season so far this term, as David Artell's men sit in 10th position. However, the away side have only won one game in their last five league fixtures. The Shrews will be kept busy in the engine room with Owen Dale and Oliver Finney enjoying stellar seasons - having contributed a number of goals and assists.

Name: Crewe Alexandra Football Club

Nickname: The Railwaymen, The Alex

Founded: 1877 (144 years ago)

Chairman/owner: John Bowler

Biggest win: 8-0 v Rotherham United, Division Three (North), 1st October 1932

Biggest loss: 2-13 v Tottenham Hostpur, FA Cup 4th round replay, 3rd February 1960

Highest league finish: 10th, Division Two, 1892-93

Read Aaron Wilbraham's thoughts ahead of Town's clash with the Alex...

Interviews 1 February 2021

Aaron Wilbraham previews Town's clash with Crewe Alexandra

The Manager - David Artell

Crewe Alexandra announced David Artell on January 8th, 2017 as their new manager after Steve Davis was relieved of his duties. Artell took control of the first-team with immediate effect.

As a former defender with Crewe Alexandra, Artell made 82 appearances, scoring six goals. He captained Crewe Alexandra to promotion to League One in 2012 via the play-offs.

Artell embarked on a role within Crewe Alexandra's Academy as operations manager before he succeeded Davis in the New Year of 2017. Artell led Crewe to safety in EFL League Two, finishing in 17th place on 55 points.

David also has a degree in Forensic Biology after he graduated from Chester University in 2010.

Goalkeeper - Dave Richards

Goalkeeper Dave Richards is in his fifth season at Gresty Road, having joined Crewe from Bristol City in 2015.

The Welshman started his career at Cardiff City, also spending time out on loan at Llananelli and Chippenham Town.

Richards joined Bristol City on an initial loan deal, before signing for the Robins on a permanent basis, but failed to break into the first team at Ashton Gate.

Since signing for the Railwaymen, Richards has proven himself to be a capable goalkeeper, providing competition for the likes of Ben Garratt and Will Jaaskelainen.

Defender - Omar Beckles

Former Salop defender Omar Beckles joins Crewe Alex following the expiration of his contract at Montgomery Waters Meadow in September 2020.

The towing and imposing centre-back made started his football career in Spain with Jerez Industrial before climbing through the non-league ranks in England.

Stints with Aldershot Town and Accrington Stanley came before the Grenada international joined Salop in 2017 - where Beckles spent three years in Shropshire.

Midfielder - Oliver Finney

With seven goals and two assists from midfield, Oliver Finney is the one to watch for the Railwaymen.

Finney is a product of the Crewe academy system and has progressed through the youth levels into the first-team - making his debut in 2017. The midfielder has also spent time out on loan at Nantwich Town, as well as Halesowen Town.

Forward - Mikael Mandron

Frenchman Mikael Mandron signed for the Alex in the summer transfer window - joining from fellow Sky Bet League One side Gillingham.

Starting his career in the lower leagues of France, Mandron joined Sunderland in 2011. After five years, and a number of loan spells away, he left Sunderland for Eastleigh.

He only spent half a season in non-league, before signing for Wigan. His spell with Wigan didn't last long either, joining Colchester the following season. After two seasons with the U's, as well as a lone season at Gillingham, Mandron joined Crewe in the summer of 2020.

So far this season, the frontman has managed to net six goals for his team in just over half the season.

League stats panel:

Officials:
Referee: Marc Edwards
Assistants: Steven Rushton and Steven Plane
Fourth Official: Conor Brown

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Match Reports

Match report: Shrewsbury Town 0 Crewe Alexandra 1

2 February 2021

Town narrowly lose out to Crewe Alexandra.

Shrewsbury Town's fixture with Crewe Alexandra ended with the away side taking home all three points.

Owen Dale was the man on the score sheet to ensure the Railwaymen secured a 1-0 win at Montgomery Waters Meadpw.

With only seconds on the clock, Town nearly made a dream start. A throw-in from the Salop half was flicked on into the path of Shaun Whalley who nudged it forward for Harry Chapman. The midfielder knocked it past the centre half and looked to chip the keeper from close range but miscued the effort with Dave Richards in the Crewe goal bearing down on him.

Despite Town’s good showing, it was the railwaymen who had the first shot on target through Daniel Powell, his effort was tame and easy pickings for Matija Sarkic.

Chapman continued to show his good form from the weekend, pulling the strings in the final third, he managed to spring Dan Udoh free and the frontman held the ball up well. The move brought Ryan Sears into play as his cross found Whalley in the middle but he couldn’t guide the header on target.

Crewe were the side to break the deadlock against the run of play. Ethan Ebanks-Landell lunged to stop a cross coming in but a deflection took the ball past Sarkic and towards the back post where Owen Dale was on hand to tap it home.

Whalley and Chapman continued to look lively as the half wound down. They worked the ball well out to Nathanael Ogbeta on the left-hand side who laid it back for Aaron Pierre to cross but Town didn’t have the numbers in the area to capitalise, and ultimately went in at the break a goal behind.

The second half began much like the first with Town on top, the men in blue and amber came out with a real purpose and nearly leveled first through Whalley who shot just wide, then Ollie Norburn looked to curl one into the far corner only to be tipped behind by Richards.

Udoh was the next man to try his hand at goal when the ball was played to him down the channel, he managed to force a corner which led to pinball in the Crewe box with the chance eventually falling to Ogbeta the fullback had his shot blocked from close range.

As the game closed out, Town were unable to break through to find an equaliser as the away side took home the win.

The teams:

Town: Matija Sarkic, Aaron Pierre, Ro-Shaun Williams (Rekeil Pyke, 89), Shaun Whalley, Ollie Norburn, Josh Vela, Ryan Sears (Josh Daniels, 57), Nathanael Ogbeta, Daniel Udoh (David Davis, 77), Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Harry Chapman.

Subs: Harry Burgoyne, Scott Golbourne, David Edwards, Sean Goss, Rekeil Pyke, Joshua Daniels, David Davis.

Alex: Dave Richards, Harry Pickering, Ryan Wintle, Daniel Powell (Stephen Walker, 77), Mikael Mandron (Chris Porter, 90), Oliver Finney (Tom Lowery, 77), Olly Lancaster, Owen Dale, Travis Johnson, Luke Murphy, Omar Beckles.

Subs: Will Jaaskelainen, Tom Lowery, Chris Porter, Charlie Kirk, Rio Adebisi, Stephen Walker, Andrew Evans.

Referee: Marc Edwards

Assistants: Steven Rushton and Steven Plane

Fourth Official: Conor Brown

Bookings:

Harry Pickering was the first player booked as Harry Pickering was penalised for a foul in the 11th minute on Dan Udoh.

Shaun Whalley was shown a yellow card in the 38th minute for preventing a counter-attack.

Omar Beckles was booked for a foul on Shaun Whalley in the 75th minute.

Harry Chapman was booked for preventing a counter-attack in the 76th minute.

Olly Lancashire was booked in the 85th minute for a late challenge on Whalley.