League One side Colchester United made their second half dominance count as they finally ran out 4-1 winners at the Alexandra Stadium this afternoon in the first round of the FA Cup. John Ward's U's certainly had to work hard for their victory in South Cheshire having to come from behind after Byron Moore had fired us in the 16th minute, but their task was made easier after Ashley Westwood was red carded for a over zealous challenge on full-back Ben Coker.
He received the second red card of his career and although Crewe continued to work exceptionally hard to keep their shape with 10 men, they were undone in the final stages of the game due to Colchester's clinical finishing.
Saying that it took an unbelievable strike from Lloyd James on the hour mark to finally break Crewe's rearguard and from then on with the extra man there only looked one winner as Colchester took control and made their ball domination count. The score line of 4-1 was certainly harsh on Crewe on what was Steve Davis' first game in sole charge.
Steve Davis was forced into a major change in his forward line after leading scorer Shaun Miller was ruled out with a dead leg. Miller picked up the injury after colliding with his team-mate Moore in the mid-week loss at Oldham Athletic. A fit-again AJ Leitch timed his return to perfection to retain his place with Nick Powell operating behind the lone marksman.
The more experienced Lee Bell also returned to the starting line-up with Antoni Sarcevic back on the substitutes bench. Harry Davis also shook off a hip complaint to return to the match day squad.
The early exchanges were quickly interrupted by a lengthy stoppage with Ian Henderson needing treatment on the touchline. Crewe so nearly made a dream start with Leitch-Smith having the ball in the net after a pass from Nick Powell but the assistant referee had raised his flag early to rule it out for offside.
Crewe made a vibrant start and had the visitors on the back foot. On 15 minutes though the Alex were lucky to escape a lapse in concentration when Adam Dugdale's back header had to be turned behind for a corner by his own goalkeeper Steve Phillips.
From the resultant Colchester corner though, Crewe and Moore broken with real purpose. Moore carried the ball beyond two challenges before finding Leitch-Smith inside the penalty area. He drew a fantastic save from our former goalkeeper Ben Williams but Moore was on hand to take full advantage of the rebound and place it high into the net.
The Alex had started with a real quick tempo but Westwood overstepped the mark just 73 seconds after we had gone ahead. With the ball played up field, the Alex captain slid into a reckless lunge and caught Coker and referee Coote didn't hesitate in showing the youngster the second red card of his career.
Losing an influential player and facing a very good side with just ten men was always going to make it a tough afternoon thereafter, but Crewe continued to try and take the game to the U's in the first half. Powell and Leitch-Smith were trying to combine and our midfield constantly looked for Leitch-Smith's movement over the top.
James was booked for catching the impressive Powell before the Alex teenager had a shot blocked on the edge of the Colchester box.
At the other end, a fine looping header from James placed itself on the top of Phillips' net and our former Academy youngster Andy Bond had a firm shot from the edge of the box deflected behind for a corner.
In the absence of Westwood, both Murphy and Bell worked their socks off in the middle of the park and Powell filled the void left on the right. Crewe were organised and solid and worked hard to try and retain possession and when we lost it reformed the shape pretty quickly. It was encouraging stuff.
Bell threw himself in front of shot from Ashley Vincent and Ian Henderson turned one just wide after a shot from the same player had dropped in front of Phillips. Crewe were wishing for the half-time whistle and arguably deservedly went in at the break one goal to the good.
The second half started with Powell sending a well hit free-kick wide of the mark, but it wasn't long before Colchester took control of the proceedings. Crewe were soon camping in their own half but Casey Thomas was well off target with one effort before he was replaced by Kem Izzet. Bell made another telling challenge on James before Vincent dragged another shot wide.
Although Colchester were certainly enjoying the majority of the ball, they were hardly troubling Phillips before Lloyd James unleashed a wonderful 35-yard drive that clipped the Crewe crossbar and over the line for an equaliser. It may have needed a world-class strike to get Colchester back in this cup-tie and James certainly delivered.
The Alex crowd reacted brilliantly and tried to encourage the Crewe team to another level but it was hard work against a confident and clever Colchester side. They continued to keep the ball intelligently and move us around and we were holding out. Our work ethic was fantastic though and that is why the eventual score was rather harsh after our efforts.
Crewe survived a scare when a cross-come-shot from James hit a post before Steve Davis freshened things up with Antoni Sarcevic replacing the hard working Powell.
Although up against it, Crewe did conjure up a couple of chances with Williams saving well from Bell and then Leitch-Smith. They were only encouraging half chances.
Our former youngster Bond then drew a fine tip over the agile Phillips before we smuggled another one off the line from Colchester's captain Matt Heath.
Crewe held out until the 77th minute, when Andy Bond finally broke our resolve when turning home a corner from James. He calmly lifted the ball past Phillips to mark his return to Gresty Road with a decisive goal.
That prompted some changes with Caspar Hughes and Kelvin Mellor replacing Bell and Leitch-Smith as Crewe went for broke with three up front.
Colchester finally killed off our hopes in the 87th minute with a well-taken third goal from Coker. The referee actually blocked off Murphy in the build up which didn't assist us but that is to take nothing away from Coker who drilled home the shot off the post.
The fourth goal came in injury time when Colchester United kept possession coming in from the touchline and the very impressive James side-footed a pass from Dugid past Phillips. It was a fine finish as the U's showed their class in the second period to book their place in tomorrow's draw.
