Under-21 coach Alex Morris gives us his reaction from the second pre-season friendly.

Development Team boss Alex Morris was pleased with the way the club’s youngsters handled a tough pre-season encounter at Kidsgrove Athletic.

The Evo Stick Division One south side took an early lead through midfielder Dan Skelton but the Crewe youngsters hit back through a fantastic free-kick from Callum Saunders. The Welshman’s 30-yard strike may have taken a deflected to have defeated the Grove goalkeeper Krystian Burzynski but he showed great technique to get it over the wall and on target from the distance.

Following the 1-1 draw, Morris, who took the team on the night said: “It was a good work out for them all and it introduces them to the physical side of men’s football. It would have been a good experience for them and it was good to introduce some of the scholars as well.

“I thought we played well in patches and looking threatening. We had some chances. We would have liked to have created more, especially in the second half but at this stage it is all about the players gaining game time.

“Those young players have to push themselves forward and try and catch the manager’s eye. Steve (Davis) was here running the rule over them and they have got to play consistency well in the U-21s before they will be considered for the first-team.

“Those players that played in the first-team last year have to continue to play well to stay in. The have had a taste of it and have to keep on improving.

“The likes of George Ray, Daniel Udoh, Ryan Wintle and Callum Saunders got 90 minutes under their belts and that will benefit them.

“I was disappointed with the goal we conceded early on and they got in behind us too many times for my liking but it’s a pre-season friendly and working on their fitness is the main thing.

Alex added: “We also created some good chances and their goalkeeper made some good saves. I would have liked to have gone on and won the game, but getting everyone through unscathed is the most important thing.”