Alex Morris’ Crewe Alex overcame an early scare to comfortably beat Queens Park Rangers in the Professional Development League.
QPR took the lead early on but the Alex responded terrifically as a side full of EFL experience proved to be the difference on the day.
Crewe imposed themselves on the game early on with chances for Oli Lancashire and Owen Dale within the first 20 minutes. Defender Lancashire couldn’t trouble QPR keeper Murphy Mahoney with his tame effort from inside the box. Dale, on the other hand, forced him into his first save of the game after receiving the ball on the right from Lundstram before bearing down on goal and firing straight into Mahoney’s hands.
QPR opened the scoring in the 27th minute after Alex Aoraha latched onto Carlyle’s header before Dave Richards could claim it, and he rolled the ball into the net.
However, the R’s lead was short lived with Zanzala equalising for the Railwaymen just eight minutes later. Lundstram was in acres of space in the midfield and he drove forward with the ball, feeding Zanzala just inside the box who finished expertly for the equaliser.
With a goal behind them and the scores level, Crewe were in the driving seat and in the hunt for the lead. Zanzala and Lundstram were providing moments of quality throughout and the breakthrough came as a result of the former. The Congolese winger jinked his way into the box and gave the referee no option other than to point to the spot after being felled by a QPR defender. Chris Porter stepped up and duly despatched to give the Railwaymen the lead heading into half time.
Alex Morris chose a rather experienced Crewe lineup and that began to show more prominence as the game went on. Within ten minutes of the game resuming, the Alex extended their lead to three with goals from Lundstram and Lancashire.
The midfielder stroked home the third from the edge of the box before Lancashire powered in the fourth from Owen Dale’s delightful delivery.
Manasse Mampala called Dave Richards into action with an outstanding effort that was tipped around the post by the number one. QPR looked threatening in brief moments during the second half but they failed to give Richards much to think about.
Crewe were good value for their lead and they held on comfortably for a winning return to Gresty Road in the Professional Development League.