Crewe turn possession into goals in run out against the Bullets.
Crewe Alexandra enjoyed a comprehensive 7-1 win over Alsager Town in their second pre-season fixture. The Alex squad, minus just Harry Davis (tooth surgery) and Perry NG (knee), were all given game time again by boss Steve Davis following on from last night’s 3-1 at Congleton.
Trialist Soulyemane Coulibaly scored twice in the first half with captain Ollie Turton, Callum Saunders, Bradden Inman, James Baillie and Lauri Dalla Valle all getting themselves on the score sheet. Crewe could have added some more goals as they continued to dominate the possession for the majority of the match, but a spirited Alsager side worked hard and were rewarded with a well crafted consolation goal of their own.
Crewe quickly got off the mark with Coulibaly finishing off a strong run from Ryan Colclough down the left hand side. The winger showed pace and power to reach the by-line and the handily placed Coulibaly converted from close range to follow up his wonderful strike at Congleton last night.
New signing Billy Bingham fired over the crossbar after being picked out by the impressive Turton before the right-back made it 2-0 after just 12 minutes. Colclough was again involved, combined splendidly with Adam King down the left hand side and the ball was worked through the former Alsager midfielder Ryan Wintle into Turton and his powerful shot from 20 yards flew past Lloyd-Weston.
Ben Garratt was called upon to tip over a dipping shot from Alsager’s left-back Jordan Elcock. The Alex keeper did superbly well to arch back and tip it over for a corner.
Another forceful run from Turton saw him force another save from the busy Alsager goalkeeper before Colclough tested him again with a low drive from 25 yards out. Wintle also went close to a goal on his return to Alsager but Lloyd-Weston got a touch on it to turn it behind.
Just after the half an hour mark, Coulibaly took full advantage of a slip in the Alsager back-line to curl home his second goal of the afternoon and his third of an impressive pre-season so far.
Alsager went close with a well struck free-kick before Saunders completed the scoring in the first half with another opportunist finish from close range after more good work from Colclough.
Steve Davis altered his starting XI again for the second half with just Garratt and the left-back trialist playing again.
Inman swiftly made it 5-0 after he confidently lifted a through ball from Cooper into the top corner. It was a composed finish from the Australian. James Jones had a shot deflected behind for a corner before Cooper was again involved in the next goal. His fierce shot could only be palmed out by the gloves of the Alsager goalkeeper and there was the goal poacher Lauri Dalla Valle to react first to nod home into an empty net.
There was an injury scare when Jones was forced off with a shoulder injury and had to be replaced by Liam O’Neill. Jones had to have his shoulder placed back into place by physio Rob Sharp and should be clear to play next Friday at Newcastle Town.
Cooper, who was lively throughout the second period, played full-back James Baillie in behind the Alsager back line. He slotted home goal number seven with a tidy finish before Cooper also forcing the Alsager stopper into two more decent saves. Crewe continued to create decent chances with Inman curling one just wide after a really flowing interchange with Cooper.
Chris Atkinson had a well struck free-kick on the edge of the box blocked by a stubborn wall and Dalla Valle also kept the Alsager goalkeeper alert with a shot straight down the middle.
There was still time for the spirited home side to conjure up a well crafted consolation goal to make the end score 7-1.
Crewe first half: Garratt, Turton, Trialist, Guthrie, Mullarkey, Bingham, King, Wintle, Colclough, Coulibaly, Saunders.
Crewe second half: Garratt, Baillie, Trialist, Ray, Kearns, Jones (O'Neill), Atkinson, Howell, Dalla Valle, Cooper, Inman.