Young defender slots in perfectly at the back to show his potential

Young defender Connor O’Riordan became the latest of the club’s Academy graduates to make his senior debut for the club last night against Doncaster Rovers.

O’Riordan played the full 90 minutes in a back three in the 2-0 win over Rovers in the Papa John’s Trophy and the 18-year-old produced an assured performance to help Crewe progress in the competition.

The 6’4” defender is the latest of the club’s Under-18 batch to make the breakthrough, following the likes of Zac Williams and Joel Tabiner into the first team picture. Manager David Artell has used the Football League Trophy to give some of the club’s latest emerging group some necessary experience going forward.

O’Riordan has also gained game time on loan at the likes of Kidsgrove and Nantwich Town.

Artell said of his latest club debutant: “It was great to see another 18-year-old make his debut. It was a chance to give Connor a taste of the level and he handled it very well, as we thought he would.

“We gave Tabs (Joel Tabiner) some more minutes with us 2-0 up. Nathan Woodthorpe got another start and it was good to have Travis (Johnson) and Callum (Ainley) back from injury. Their 45 minutes each was planned and they are both fine.”