Westwood The Star As Crewe Steal Win

Two goals from young Ashley Westwood set the Alex on their way to their fifth home win of the season, beating Northampton 3-2.

Simon Walton also got his first for the club, and the winning goal, with a spectacular volley from the edge of the penalty area.

It was a perfectly planted Westwood free kick into the bottom right corner just 16 minutes into the game that gave Crewe a deserved early lead.

It gave Northampton, who had just lost their 13 match unbeaten run a week earlier, a jolt back into the game and they soon started to take the gave to the Railwaymen. As the first half entered stoppage time, static defending from the Alex allowed the Cobblers a passage right back into the game. Gilligan was allowed time and space to place the ball from the edge of the area.

There seemed to be few wise words from Dario at half time as his side stuttered at the start of the second half. Steve Phillips was called upon throughout the game to make a few spectacular saves.

He could do nothing as Northampton took the lead. Crewe's latest bogey player Akinfenwa this time taking advantage as the Alex defence kept their distance.

The Cobblers' lead lasted just 10 minutes as cometh the hour, cometh of the man. Westwood stole the ball off a Northampton midfielder deep inside Alex's half and started a move that ultimately led to Bailey crossing for Westy to fire home his second of the game.

And the win was sealed 3 minutes later as Crewe ran rampant. Simon Walton, on a season's long loan from Plymouth, netted his first in red as his dipping volley from the edge of the area gave the Cobblers keeper no chance.

The final twenty minutes of the game offered up plenty of action. Most notably was Northampton's appeal for a goal as Harry Worley headed it 'off' the line and onto his own post, Danny O'Donnell eventually clearing the ball for safety. At the time it seemed only the referee and linesman had not seen the goal but closer inspection on TV replays suggest that the officials, for once, were correct.

It's not to say that Crewe fluked their way to three points however. Both keepers got worked as the final whistle approached, Phillips pulled off some fantastic saves whilst Westwood just needed a cooler head to have completed his hat-trick.

There was relief as the referee blew for full time, confirmed our second win in as many games. Still sitting 14th we are still very much outside of the play-off race, but with four very winnable games approaching in the next few weeks maybe there is one last chance to claim 7th spot?

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