Crewe reach Final of Cheshire Senior Cup after comfortable win over Hyde.
Richards, Wilkinson (Johnson), Pickering, Finney, Poscha, Ng, Dale, Lundstram (Griffiths), Saunders (Walley), Ainley, KirkCrewe:
: Wardley, Lynchnused SubsU
Dale (2), Ainley, KirkGoals:
Crewe Alexandra booked their place in the final of the Cheshire Senior Cup with a comfortable 4-0 win over Hyde United. Owen Dale was the match winner on the night by scoring twice and unselfishly laying on a third for Callum Ainley. Charlie Kirk completed the rout with a tap in on 88 minutes after fine work from substitute Regan Griffiths down the right hand side.
Dale’s two goals coming either side of half-time put Crewe firmly in the driving seat against the Tigers and now the Alex await the winners of the second semi-final between Nantwich Town and Warrington Town.
Hyde United were presented with an early chance from a free-kick but Matthew Beadle could only flicked his effort into the gloves of Dave Richards.
Crewe began to take control of the ball and after Charlie Kirk had intercepted possession, a quick exchange of passes with Callum Saunders, eventually saw his low cross cut out in the six yard box.
Dale reached the by-line with a burst of pace and his cut back for Ainley saw him flash the ball across to Kirk but his low shot was blocked.
minute.thCrewe continued to try and utilise the pace of Dale and Saunders up front and after a really promising break, midfielder Josh Lundstram saw his deflected effort palmed behind for a corner by the reactive Russ Saunders. It was a decent save from the Hyde goalkeeper in the 18
arriving in intelligent positions to collect the ball in space and after linking up with Kirk, the winger fired an effort into the side netting from a tight angle. The two combined again moments later but Ainley couldn’t quite direct his flying far post header on target. Ainley was bright throughout,
Hyde had a couple of shots from distance that never troubled Richards before Crewe deservedly took the lead on the stroke of half-time. Right-back Jamie Wilkinson, who was impressive in possession on the night found the run of Dale and the Alex number 7 applied the decisive touch to take it past Saunders.
Dale doubled Crewe’s advantage on 50 minutes with a really composed finish after being sent clear by Kirk. The youngster raced into the box, checked back before driving his shot into the far corner.
Moments later, Saunders headed at his namesake after Harry Pickering had delivered a near post cross.
The confidence was growing inside Dale, as he began to torment the Hyde United back line with his pace and after getting a yard in front again his low cross across the six yard box put the third goal on a plate for Ainley on 55 minutes.
Just after the hour mark, the returning Saunders made way for Luke Walley, as he continued his return from injury with another run out.
Hyde’s Ayrton Bevins replaced Jamal Branker and after a mazy little run, he was a bit unlucky to scuff his shot at the crucial moment.
After Ainley had picked out Dale’s chest with a searching pass, his clever reverse pass found Kirk inside the box and his side footed shot was saved at the second attempt by Saunders. The Hyde goalkeeper did well to react and scrambled to collect the ball at the feet of Lundstram.
On 72 minutes, Richards made a really good save to deny Beadle but he injured himself in the process and he had to receive treatment for his finger from physio Tom Butters before he was able to continue.
With the minutes ticking away, Rhys Griffiths replaced the hard working Lundstram and Travis Johnson came on for Wilkinson at full-back. With two minutes left, Kirk completed the scoring when he was in the right place to tap home from close range after Griffiths had put over a cross that Saunders couldn't grip.
View the goals for the Senior Cup semi win below, exclusively on Player HD