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Crewe Alexandra v West Bromwich Albion
Gresty Road, Crewe. 13th March 2004, 5.35pm.
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A vital result for the Baggies in a game they thoroughly deserved to win, although they made very hard work of it. A defensive lapse handed Crewe the lead, but a couple of astute substitutions by Megson changed the course of the game.

The only change in the starting line-up was a recall for Bernt Haas at the expense of James Chambers with Megson switching back to a 4-4-2 formation. The bench had plenty of attacking options once more with Facey, Hughes and Dyer sitting along side Clement and Murphy.

The first half was open but often scrappy as both sides failed to really get into their game. Albion fashioned more of the chances but Crewe perhaps had the clearer ones.

Horsfield had the first attempt on goal as he received Johnson's pass and muscled his way past Walker but the Crewe defender managed to get a foot in to deflect the shot over the bar.

At the other end, Steve Jones claimed a penalty as he fell over Gaardsoe's trailing leg but referee waved away the appeal.

Horsfield and Kinsella both went close with headers as Albion finally played some neat football before Crewe had the best chance so far when Ashton headed Kenny Lunt's free kick well over with Hoult stranded.

Former Crewe man Rob Hulse, who was having a disappointing game, finally managed to get a shot in when he got on the end of a Horsfield cross, but Foster was on hand to block.

Koumas, hiding on the left flank for much of the first half, fired a low ball into the box that Haas just failed to connect with.

After Ashton's drive had been gathered at the second attempt by Hoult, Koumas created Albion's best chance so far when he got to the byline and lifted a delicious cross right on to Horsfield's head, but the Horse could only head straight at Foster.

Haas had another good chance before the lively Dean Ashton tested Hoult from long range, but the Albion 'keeper pulled off a fine save to keep the scores level.

Horsfield had another chance when Foster failed to clear, but Crewe then had the best chance of the game. Jones raced through and failed to connect as Hoult came out, and Hoult had to chase down his block to prevent Ashton taking advantage of the rebound.

Albion started the second half very brightly with a shot from Hulse drifting just wide, before Horsfield was denied three times in quick succession by Clayton Ince. The first came from a long range shot from Johnson that Ince parried before recovering to block Horsfield's follow up

On the hour, Megson made the first change bringing Dyer on to replace the disappointing Kinsella with Koumas switching to the right flank.

But Albion's domination counted for nought as Crewe took an undeserved lead on 63 minutes. Gaardsoe looked to intercept Cochrane's pass but got nowhere near the ball and consequently left ASHTON unmarked. Crewe's top scorer ran on and fired a powerful shot that Hoult got a hand to but couldn't keep out.

Megson made an immediate change replacing Hulse with Hughes.

Albion picked themselves up and quickly got back on level terms. Dyer, who had looked dangerous since he came on, beat Lunt and fired in a cross that went behind the forwards but was met by the left foot of JOHNSON diverting into the bottom corner. It was AJ's first goal since the foot-breaking equaliser against Bolton more than a year ago.

Albion continued to press home their advantage and took the lead just four minutes later. Quick thinking by Dyer saw him throw the ball to Horsfield who, given space by the defender, hooked the ball into the six yard box and it was HUGHES who reacted quickest to divert the ball over the line from three yards.

Albion controlled the remainder of the game although Clement, introduced with eight minutes to go, managed to gift possession to Ashton which almost lead to a Crewe equaliser with Jones firing just wide.

But the Baggies held on for a vital and well deserved three points.

It was less than convincing at times, but Albion were well worth the win. The only worry is the number of chances we had and still only won by one goal. The Premiership demands much more clinical finishing.


RESULT - CREWE ALEXANDRA 1 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2

Marks

Hoult - 7 - Good solid performance
Haas - 7 - Better showing from Bernie.
Gaardsoe - 7 - At fault for the goal, but otherwise solid.
Moore - 7 - Pretty good display from Big Dave.
Robinson - 8 - Excellent showing with some great runs and crosses.
Gregan - 7 - Looking like his old self again.
Koumas - 7 - Hid for much of the first half, and didn't have as much influence as he should.
Johnson - 8 - MOM. Looked great on the right in the first half and in the middle in the second. Excellent game.
Kinsella - 6 - Has played better.
Hulse - 6 - Quiet.
Horsfield - 8 - Terrorised the Crewe defence at times; great movement.

Dyer - 8 - Worked really hard and looked dangerous on the ball.
Hughes - 7 - Looked lively, typical Hughesie goal.
Clement - 5 - Dropped his team mates in it but did nothing else.

The Manager - 8 - Great to see an attacking bench again and its worth was proved with two excellent substitutions.


Crewe Alexandra (4-4-2):
Ince; B Jones, Foster, Walker, Vaughan; Lunt, Sorvel, Cochrane (Robinson 85); Hignett (Tonkins 81); S Jones, Ashton. Subs not used: Tomlinson (GK), McCready, Edwards.
West Bromwich Albion (4-4-2):
Murphy; Haas, Gaardsoe, Moore, Robinson; Johnson, Gregan, Kinsella (Dyer 60), Koumas (Clement 82); Horsfield, Hulse (Hughes 66). Subs not used: Murphy (GK), Facey.
Scoring: Ashton (63) 1-0, Johnson (69) 1-1, Hughes (73) 1-2.
Bookings: None.
Referee: M Thorpe (Suffolk).
Attendance: 8,335.
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