Crewe youth through to face Fulham after comfortable win at Gresty Road

Crewe Alexandra’s Under-18's secured a place in the third round of the FA Youth Cup with a relatively comfortable 4-0 win over York City. Alex Morris and Kenny Lunt’s side now face a sterner test against Fulham at Gresty Road in the third round of the competition.

Morris named the same starting XI that defeated Preston North End in the opening round and they didn’t disappoint again, playing some really entertaining football and creating a host of chances against a spirited York side.

A first half goal from the impressive Callum Ainley set the young Railwaymen on their way to a convincing 4-0 victory with Captain Joe Kearns, Joe Howell and Chris Speed all helping themselves to goals in the second half.

Crewe could and perhaps should have scored more on the night as well with Ainley striking the crossbar in the first half and Oliver Finney in the second half. Alex substitute Johnny Higham was foiled by the York City goalkeeper Danny Wright in a one-on-one situation.

Powerful hitman Andre Brown was always a constant threat with his pace and selfish running in wide areas and then Charlie Kirk showed a glimpse of his potential with a mazy run and chip that just cleared Wright’s far post late on.

Winger Liam O’Neill was also unfortunate not to add to his goal in the first round against Preston when his volley into the floor was just touched around the post by the diving Wright.

To their great credit, the visitors, backed by a noisy drum and visually by two giants flag in the Main Stand kept themselves going to the end. Although the Crewe back line was never really exposed, Ben Godfrey forced Liam Matthews into a smart tip over the crossbar late on and Ryan Caulfield shot a bouncing ball straight at the Crewe goalkeeper in the first half.

399 watched it at Gresty Road.