It was back to victory following 2 defeats for Crewe's youth boys who picked up a 1-2 win away at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Neil Critchley made a few changes to his squad to the side that played mid-week at Villa Park giving a start to Alex Titchener, Theo Stair and Ben McHugh, who played his first game since coming back from injury, Luke Danville missing for to 6 weeks after fracturing his metatarsal during the Villa game that is on. Crewe came back from behind to grab the win, thanks to a winning goal from substitute Josh Thompson.
Crewe didn't make the best of starts to the game, Wolves having three clear-cut chances in the first 15 minutes, but some great saves from keeper Jack Baker kept Crewe in the game. 20 minutes in Wolves were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, won by Elliott Bennett's younger brother Kyle, with the rebound shot saved, Crewe were forced to drop back and defend as the home side applied the pressure. Not long after, Crewe had their first chance of the game as striker Alex Titchener ran forward with the ball only to send him shot wide of the goal. It was followed up with some good play from AJ Leitch-Smith, he sent Titchener into the penalty box with only the keeper to beat, but the keeper was too alert for the youngster to get the better of.
Crewe were coming back into the game, Charlie Ager taking a good free kick from midfield to send the ball hurtling towards the box, Ben McHugh headed it down to the waiting Matt Lund for a great chance but the linesman flagged offside.
As the half time whistle drew closer, Crewe were playing some good football, Leitch-Smith having another shot fantastically saved by the Wolves stopper. It wasn't long before Wolves got themselves another chance as their shot hit the bar, they got on the rebound but Baker saved the shot and Crewe ended the first half on an even par.
The second half of the game was filled with as many chances, Matt Lund getting on the end of another Ager free kick with a good volley that only just made it's way over the bar. Just over the hour mark and Luke Murphy fed in Theo Stair with a great ball and Stair was unlucky not to have put the visitors in the lead as his shot from inside the box hit the post. Titchener had a similar effort, again from a Murphy ball, 5 minutes later when he picked up the pass from midfield and made a fantastic run down field but in the end could not guide his effort quite right and the ball went wide.
With only 15 minutes of the game left, Crewe were penalized for their third penalty in as many games as the referee blew for a hand ball on Tom Lappin. Jack Baker could do nothing to stop it going in from the spot though and the Midlands side were in the lead.
A few tactical changes saw Josh Thompson being brought on for Stair and just minutes later the equaliser came about. Josh put a great ball in for Leitch-Smith who hit a fantastic strike from inside the box to bring the scores level once more and net his fourth goal of the campaign.
The final 10 minutes of the game were action packed, with Crewe being the side on top and looking for the winning goal. Titchener hitting a half volley from 18 yards and seeing it go wide, then he got his head to the ball just seconds later as his powerful ball hit the crossbar, Nathan Bancroft getting on the end of the rebound but it wasn't enough to beat the keeper.
Wolves fought back on the counter attack as they raced up the other end of the field, but Baker again saved a 25-yard shot as both sides tried for that important goal. The final minute of the game and a last minute winner came about courtesy of striker Josh Thompson. The youngster picked up the ball from midfield, took on two of Wolves defenders with some great skill and calmly put his shot in the bottom corner for his 11th of the season. A well deserved goal and a hard battled win. Crewe were back on form ahead of their Christmas break and ready to face Blackburn at the weekend.
Crewe Team: Jack Baker, Charlie Ager, Ben McHugh (Chris Clements), Ashley Westwood, Nathan Bancroft, Tom Lappin, Matt Lund, Luke Murphy (Ben Marshall), Alex Titchener, AJ Leitch-Smith, Theo Stair (Josh Thompson)
