Town secure a 1-2 away win against Crewe Alexandra.
Crewe: Ben Garratt, Perry Ng, Harry Pickering, George Ray, James Jones, Shaun Miller, Jordan Bowery, Eddie Nolan, Alex Nicholls (Callum Ainley, 63), Corey Whelan, Kevin O’Connor (Ryan Wintle, 58).
Subs: David Richards, Chris Porter, Callum Ainley, Ryan Wintle, Charlie Kirk, Oliver Finney, Nicky Hunt.
Town: Joel Coleman, Ryan Haynes, Kieran Kennedy, Lee Angol (Arthur Gnahoua, 76), James Bolton, Lenell John-Lewis, Alex Gilliead, Doug Loft, Abo Eisa (Fejiri Okenabirhie, 90), Charlie Colkett (James Rowland, 67), Ryan Sears.
Subs: Steve Arnold, Josh Emmanuel, Arthur Gnahoua, Fejiri Okenabirhie, John McAtee, James Rowland, Lifumpa Mwandwe.
Referee: M Salisbury
Assistants: R Cheosiaua and D Street
Fourth official: J Oldham
Attendance: 823 (186)
The game came to an end with Town the side on top after two goals from Danny Coyne’s men.
Abo Eisa and Alex Gilliead were the two on form to help Town top group D of the Checkatrade Trophy.
Team News:
Danny Coyne has named 11 changes in todays’ Checkatrade line up. Charlie Colkett returns from injury and Abo Eisa gets his first start of the season, as well as an inclusion for Doug Loft
First Half:
The first 10 minutes of the half started with both teams looking to progress up the pitch. Charlie Colkett was doing well to feed ball into the final third, where Town were looking dangerous.
Crewe’s George Ray was given a yellow card in the 16th minute by referee Michael Salisbury for a late challenge on Lee Angol.
Joel Coleman was called into action in the 18th minute. Harry Pickering crossed in a lovely ball, which was met by Shaun Miller. Coleman covered his goal well and managed to get a hand to the ball – putting it out for a corner.
After a period of pressure Town managed to break the deadlock in the 20th minute. Town had a number of shots in the Alex box, but all were denied – until Town were dealt some fortune. Abo Eisa fired a curling shot towards goal, which was deflected into the Alex net – giving Town the one goal lead.
Town were looking the team I charge as the game progressed. Angol and John-Lewis were doing well to trouble the Alex back line throughout.
Crewe’s James Jones was booked in the 34th minute for tugging at Eisa’s shirt.
Some wonderful wing play from Alex Gilliead nearly gave Town a second goal. The winger knocked the ball past his man and put a great ball into the box. Angol got on the end of the cross but saw his shot blocked.
Back up the other end of the pitch Ryan Sears made a great block to keep Town’s lead in tact. Alex Nicholls let of a powerful shot, but Town’s right-back flung himself across the box to get in the way of the ball.
The half came to an end with Town in the lead. A good first-half performance from Danny Coyne’s men earned his side the one goal advantage.
Second Half:
Town came out for the second-half and looked to dominate possession. Some good passing from the midfield pairing of Loft and Colkett ensured Town looked comfortable with the ball at all times.
Nicholls had a great chance to level the score for the home side in the 11th minute. The forward latched onto a dinked pass, which saw the forward through on goal. Kieran Kennedy did superbly well to recover and managed to block the front man’s shot with the tip of his foot.
Town settled into the half well and managed to double the lead in the 63rd minute. Gilliead took on a long-range effort, which surprised the home side keeper and nestled in the bottom corner.
Corey Whelan was booked shortly after, for a late challenge on Eisa.
James Rowland was brought on to the pitch and the midfielder’s tidy feet helped his side retain possession, as the home side were looking to push at the Town defence.
Loft was also booked for a foul in the middle of the park on Shaun Miller.
The home side managed to pull a goal back in the 79th minute. Jordan Bowery was the beneficiary of a nice through ball and the frontman tucked away his low shot past Coleman.
The game came to an end with the score 1-2 to the visitors and Town now top group D of the Checkatrade Trophy.