David Artell has praised the Academy coaches and the Under-15s after they successfully won the Northern section of the Floodlit Cup. The Crewe youngsters defeated Sheffield Wednesday in a penalty shoot-out at Hillsborough last night after the game had ended 1-1.

Ollie Finney’s brother, Charlie, was on target for Crewe, who will now face the winners of the Southern section, Cambridge or Bristol Rovers in the overall final.

David, who attended the Northern final in Sheffield said: “The lads played really well, they were very good and it was a good night. It is brilliant for them and there were some real pleasing things to take from the game.

“It is pleasing to win the game because it is a knockout cup competition. They had more players going down with cramp than us and it was a big occasion. They played the right way and found a way to win the game.

“Charlie, Ollie Finney’s brother scored the goal and we could have had a few more but they got caught out with ten minutes to go and had the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.

“A penalty shoot-out is a mental and technical challenge and they came through it, and they deserve all the success and plaudits coming their way.”