Moment of quality from Brad Inman sees Crewe win 1-0 against 1874 Northwich

A moment of quality from Brad Inman 20 minutes from time eventually proved the difference on the night, as Crewe Alexandra failed to take full advantage of our domination in possession.

Inman collected the ball some 30 yards from the 1874 Northwich goal before embarking on a solo run that saw him finally beat Matthew Conkie for the only goal of the night.

In truth, Crewe should have the evening a lot more comfortable with the numerous chances created but a combination of spirited defending, good goalkeeping from Conkie and some wasteful finishing from the Railwaymen made it more of an anxious night than it should have been.

A host of Crewe players were guilty of missing decent chances but the likes of the returning Inman and Billy Waters were always going to be a little short of ultimate sharpness. Marcus Haber missed a close range header in the second half and Chris Atkinson had one goalbound effort cleared from the line after he had got a touch to Haber’s headed knock down. George Cooper saw a late shot saved by the legs of Conkie.

Crewe goalkeeper Liam Matthews was not overly troubled on the evening but the visitors did conjure up the best opportunity of the night when winger Stuart Wellstead went one-one-one with the club’s Youth Team goalkeeper but he stood up to make a vital save with the score locked at 0-0.

   Crewe progress to the next round of the Cheshire Senior Cup and will face either Hyde or Macclesfield in the next round.