A cold November evening in Cambridge and the under 18 boys were in form to travel to the second round of the FA Youth Cup against a side that got the better of them last year. Neil Critchley and James Collins made no changes to their starting eleven to the side that thumped Ashton Town 6-1 last week aside from Michael Jackson and Alex Titchener making a return from injury for places on the bench.

There was a great opportunity in the opening minutes with some fantastic play by Luke Murphy who took the ball into the box and instead of taking his chances passed the ball into Josh Thompson, but with his back pass interrupted by Cambridge who then went on the counterattack, Robbie Willmott taking on Nathan Bancroft, only for Bancroft to professionally tackle and win the ball as Willmott made his run.

Josh Thompson almost made it the first goal of the game shortly after from a well-taken corner his initial effort hit the crossbar and as he got his foot to the rebound it was cleared off the line. A fantastic start for the visitors.

It wasn't too last though as seven minutes into the game and a small mistake by Chris Clements just outside the box led to Cambridge taking the lead through Robbie Willmott. He good turn in the box around his defenders and he struck the ball past keeper Jack Baker and into the bottom corner.

The Crewe boys were trying to use their chances to get back level but were being offside, the linesman giving them nothing, a fantastic chance arose for Thompson 17 minutes into the game when he came one on one with the keeper outside the box, but a late flag from the linesman ruined the chances. Cambridge fought back though, with an attempt that only just found its way wide of the target. The ball was kept in play though and a free kick was conceded 20 yards out, but some good reaction from Ashley Westwood cleared the ball and the threat died down.

Crewe's best chance of the game so far came mid way through the first half, Westwood sent a great ball down onto the wing for Chris Clements to pick up, he ran into the box and passed back to the path of Leitch-Smith, who despite having time to consider his shot, hit the ball and his shot drafted wide. Cambridge fought back with a chance of their own a flick over the bar from Craig Bussens from a corner came close to hitting the back of the net but instead ended up in the back of the stand.

It was so far a game of two sides; both were having the chances to score, Luke Danville sending a great ball down field to the waiting Matt Lund in the box. Lund found Leitch-Smith in the centre of the box who made a fantastic turn but his shot was saved by the Cambridge keeper. Another great run followed, Matt Tootle making a great run down the wing and as he sent the ball crossing to the path of Leitch-Smith, who had made the run down the centre, United's defender got caught in the pass and sent the ball hurdling towards his own keeper. Another chance that could have proved fatal.

Ten minutes from the half time whistle and a perfect flick on from Thompson found Leitch-Smith who took the ball around the defenders and finished fantastically beating the keeper and striking the back of the net like a true professional. Crewe defence was on top form as the break approached and the score line remained at 1-1 as the whistle finally blew.

The second half started slow with neither half really having a good chance to take the lead. Seven minutes into the second period and Matt Lund had a fantastic chanced to give Crewe the lead after Leitch-Smith's initial shot from outside the box was deflected, Thompson got his head to the ball and knocked it down for Lund to take the shot which sailed just inches off the top of the crossbar. Crewe continued the good play, displaying the football they know they are made off. Luke Murphy took control of a free kick 25 yards out but his trademark free kick was wasted as it went wide of the target.

It was a close call on the hour mark with a tackle in the box that could have let to a Cambridge penalty, the referee saw otherwise and awarded a goal kick, a decision that could very easily have gone against the Alex youngsters. Minutes later and Josh Thompson showed some fantastic skill to take the ball down the wing and across the by-line into the box with a defender on his tail. Not wanting to take the glory himself, he passed back to Lund who's shot was deflected and cleared, another good chance for the visitors to take the lead.

A Cambridge corner was a testing time as an initial shot was deflected out, Zac Costello hitting the rebound but luckily for Crewe it hit the crossbar, rebounded off Luke Danville's head and was eventually cleared. They continued their play putting pressure in our box but not taking advantage of the chances falling their way.

Less than 20 minutes from full time and Josh Thompson made a great run down field with the ball, fighting off his man and taking the shot just outside the box, but the keeper was on form and pulled off a great save to deny the young striker. Midfielder Luke Murphy was also denied the chance of scoring the leading goal when his effort from 18 yards out was sent just wide of the post. Crewe were really pushing on as the final whistle came into sight.

A tense final quarter of an hour and substitute Ben Marshall came to the point with the match-winning goal. The striker showed some good skill outside the box with an impressive step over and totally caught the keeper unaware with his shot that found its way in to the bottom corner.

With the minutes ticking away Chris Clements hit a strike from 25 yards out trying his luck on goal, but the keeper pulled off a great save and sent the ball out for a corner. Josh Thompson had another good chance minutes later with a ball from Leitch-Smith but fumbled with his feet in the box to waste the opportunity.

Crewe finished the game the stronger side as Cambridge struggled to take advantage of chances that came their way as a free kick was conceded right on the edge of the box at the stroke of 90 minutes.

Some good play from the boys and Crewe booked their place in the third round at Aston Villa.

Teams:

Crewe Alex: Jack Baker, Luke Danville, Matt Tootle, Ashley Westwood, Tom Lappin, Nathan Bancroft, Matt Lund (Ben Marshall), Luke Murphy, Josh Thompson, AJ Leitch-Smith, Chris Clements

Subs: Theo Stair, Alex Titchener, Ben Marshall, Michael Jackson, Charlie Ager

Cambridge United: Phil Smith, Rory McAuley, Michael Kirby (John Yambasu), Lewis Carr, Zac Costello, Sam Cutler, Craig Bussens (Sam Ives), Adam Marriott, Piers Wixon, Robbie Willmott, Jordan Patrick (James Paterson)

Subs: Sam Ives, Sam Beagle, James Paterson, Luke Berry, John Yambasu