The Journey Begins With A Win

Gudjon Thordason celebrated his first league game in charge of Crewe Alexandra with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Scunthorpe at Gresty Road after Danny O`Donnell`s last gasp winner in a game witch was heavily swung either way on the decisions of referee Mr. C.Webster. By crewe4life

Crewe made a bright start, creating opportunities in a very open first 15 minutes, with Colin Daniel producing a great stop from iron keeper Joe Murphy and James Bailey firing straight at Murphy when it seemed easier to score after good play from Michael O`Connor and Luke Murphy.

The game was extremely open and Scunthorpe had a chance straight from kick off and many Alex fans would have feared the worse, although recalled keeper Stuart Tomlinson dealt with Paul Hayes` effort. The visitors however had a much better opportunity to open the deadlock after Luke Murphy`s inexperience caught him as he tripped winger Martyn Woolford.It was a harsh decision but referee Webster pointed to the spot. This lead to one of them moments that is sure to be played on those football howlers DVD`s, Paul Hayes strolled up but produced a woeful effort as his penalty tricked wide of the post.

Although it could, and probably should have been earlier, Crewe were undone on the 19th minute when Hooper caught Billy Jones napping as he raced to the byline and pulled the ball back for Hayes to lash home. It was more typical Crewe defending and Jones` position in the team must now be questioned after another poor display.

Half time brought Gudjon Thordason to substitute youngster James Bailey after he followed up his poor display against Millwall with a dreadful 45 minutes. Byron Moore came on and Luke Murphy pushed inside with O`Connor in centre midfield.

Moore made an impact and Crewe pressed and got there reward in the 60th minute when he found John Brayford`s run and after Brayford was bundled to the floor, the referee was quick to even matters up and give Crewe a penalty of there own. O`Connor stepped up and drove his penalty into the right hand corner to bring the Alex back onto level terms.

The biggest moment of controversy came ten minutes later after defender Danny O`Donnell, brought on after Dennis Lawrence`s early injury lacked communication with Stuart Tomlinson witch allowed Haynes in. His effort then seemed to strike the post and then O`Donnell before it was judged to have crossed the line by the officials, although the Gresty Road End believed otherwise.

Crewe weren`t finished yet though and showed the passion that has been missing for a lot of the season as Byron Moore flicked a ball into the path of Donaldson who fired his effort past Murphy just 2 minutes after they were behind.

Both sides then had key chances and if it wasn`t for Tomlinson making a crucial save at his near post the math probably would of swung the other way and Crewe could of found a winner through the in effective and lightweight Shaun Miller, who added little firepower up front, drilled his chance at the bar.

A minute into the 3 added though Crewe found a winner. Billy Jones lofted a free-kick into the 6 yard box and it fell to the feet of Danny O`Donnell who coolly took a touch before burying it past the keeper Murphy. It was justice for O`Donnell who hasn`t done a lot wrong this season but was at fault for Scunthorpe`s second goal.

His winner sent the majority of a 3,811 crowd home happy. These crucial 3 points leave Crewe still bottom but now only 4 points off getting out of the dreaded drop zone completely. The Alex fans all know under Thordason`s new regime the reds have more than a fighting chance of remaining in League One for next season.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.