Crewe start their pre-season campaign with a win in Staffordshire

Crewe Alexandra started their pre-season campaign with a comfortable run-out at Norton United.  Steve Davis gave all his fit and available players a run-out with goalkeeper Scott Shearer making his first appearance for the club following his release from Rotherham in the summer. The Glasgow-born goalkeeper didn’t have too many saves to make as Crewe dominated the majority of the possession in the first half.

First half goals from Mathias Pogba, Anthony Grant and Bradden Inman was a just return for Crewe’s dominance.

After some good work from wide man Billy Waters, Pogba opening the scoring on 14 minutes with a close range tap-in. Ten minutes later, Grant doubled the lead after following up a shot from Brad Inman that was saved by Norton’s goalkeeper Hemmings. Grant’s energy in central midfield rubbed off on others and the real positive was Crewe’s pressurising and interplay around the opponents’ penalty area.

Inman obtained the goal the goal he deserved for his performance in the final minute of the first half after he was slotted through on goal by Waters.

Only defenders James Baillie and Jon Guthrie remained from the first half team as Steve Davis introduced a selection of first year professionals and a couple of trialists. One of those trialists, the pacey Femi Orenuga added to the scoreline in the second half by confidently converting a penalty he had won himself with his pace.

Crewe first half: Shearer, Baillie, Guthrie, Ray, Dugdale, Grant, Turton, Nolan, Waters, Inman, Pogba

Crewe second half: Garratt, Baillie, Guthrie, Ng, Audel, Molyneux, Jones, trialist, Orenuga, Cooper, Saunders.

Also used: Callum Pritchard-Ellis