Chuma Anene netted a first-half hat-trick, as Crewe Alexandra Under-23s recorded an emphatic 5-1 win at home to Sheffield United.

The Norweigan scored all three goals with a 30 minute period, completing the treble before the break, with Rio Adebisi scoring a brilliant effort in between Anene's second and third.

Sheffield United did pull one back in the second half, with Kyron Gordon flicking in at the near post from a corner.

Crewe's four-goal lead was restored in the game's dying embers, as Aaron Lomas completed the rout with a smart finish below the goalkeeper.

Alex Morris' side started off the brighter of the two, and had the game's opening chance within the opening five minutes after Adebisi found Anene with a cross, but his header was comfortable for the goalkeeper.

It didn't take long for Anene to open the scoring, however. A few moments later, a cross deflected into his path, and he fired beyond Jordan Amissah in the Sheffield United goal.

Anene had his, and Crewe's, second of the game shortly after. Adebisi put the ball on the plate for Anene, who tapped in from close range.

The away side did have chances of their own in the first half. Jake Young and Tabhae Andall-Gibbons both couldn't find the target from their respective efforts.

And Crewe would make them pay for their missed chances, as they added their third. Adebisi found space on the edge of the area, and found the back of the net with a brilliant curling effort.

It was two in as many minutes for Crewe, as Anene completed a first-half hat-trick. The Sheffield United defenders gave the striker too much time and space, as he found the bottom corner with a fine finish.

The second half was tame in comparison to the first, as chances for both sides dried up.

Callum Gribbin had a couple of efforts that failed to trouble Richards in the Crewe net, with Adebisi stinging the palms of the away goalkeeper at the other end.

Sheffield United did pull one back in the second half, as Gordon flicked in at the near post.

Late on, The Alex did go in search of a fifth goal, and almost found it through Regan Griffiths. His curling effort went over the crossbar, however. 

A fifth goal would be found in the dying embers of the game. A fantastic foray forward from Josh Lundstram saw him beat a number of defenders, before feeding the ball to Lomas, who finished calmly beyond the goalkeeper.

An empthatic victory for Crewe, who are in back in action on Monday (October 28th), as they host Nottingham Forest.

Crewe: Richards, Djalo, Adebisi, Lundstram, Johnson, Oxford, Griffiths, Finney, Reilly, Anene (Lomas, 73), Ainley. 

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