First half goals from Crewe Alexandra strikers Lewis Reilly and Daniel Udoh set the Railwaymen on their way to a comfortable 2-0 win over Runcorn Linnets in the first round of the Cheshire Senior Cup.

Alex Morris’ side are defending the trophy they won after beating Nantwich Town in last season’s final.

George Ray and Ryan Wintle were given more minutes on the pitch with both starting at the Millbank Linnets Stadium, Ray playing the first 45 minutes with Wintle getting an hour of game time.

Crewe terrorised Linnets inside the first 20 minutes, the centre halves struggling to get to grips with Reilly & Udoh running in behind, & that pressure told on just five minutes when Udoh latched onto a lofty through-ball, pulled the ball out of the sky & teed up his strike partner Reilly for a tap in to settle the nerves.

The Alex continued to dominate as Regan Griffiths went close with a shot blocked at the near post.

The lead was eventually increased six minutes before half-time, Udoh played in one-on-one before producing a step-over & shimmy to deceive the keeper before smashing home at the near post.

The second half was an altogether more quiet affair, with Crewe content to professionally manage out their two goal advantage - Oli Finney coming closest when he dragged a shot wide.

Runcorn failed to really trouble Dave Richards though as the team comfortably saw out the victory to progress.

We will bring confirmation of our second round opponents after the draw is made by the Cheshire FA.

Crewe: Richards, T.Johnson, Offord, Finney, Ray (Harrison, 46), Lundstram, Griffiths, Wintle (Lynch, 60), Kirk (Hurst, 46), Reilly, Udoh