- Agyei fires his 13th and 14th goals of season
- Long up and running with late strike
- Back-to-back wins for The Railwaymen
A Dan Agyei brace and Christopher Long’s first of the season earned Crewe Alexandra all three points at the expense of Barrow on Good Friday.
Top-scorer Agyei was spot on with two first-half penalties to take his tally to 14 for the campaign.
And Long came off the bench to ease his frustration at an injury-hit season to open his 2022-23 account at the Gresty Road End.
Those goals, combined with a resolute clean sheet, made it back-to-back wins for Lee Bell’s side, who will now head to Colchester on Easter Monday in a confident mood.
After a win at Doncaster last time out, Bell named an unchanged side. But he was able to name fit-again Rod McDonald amongst the subs.
Crewe took an early lead after former Alex captain George Ray was adjudged guilty of pulling Connor O’Riordan’s shirt in the box as a corner came in, and the referee pointed to the spot.
After a delay, Agyei showed super composure to beat keeper Paul Farman from 12 yards, on 12 minutes.
Ex-Nantwich man Josh Gordon glanced an effort wide as Barrow looked to level, while Courtney Baker-Richardson saw a direct free-kick comfortably saved by Farman at the other end.
Real chances were few and far between, but a super passage of play paved the way for the second Crewe goal, just after the half-hour mark.
Conor Thomas sent a raking ball wide to Agyei, who controlled superbly and then roasted Sam Foley, who tripped him in the box.
After more gamesmanship from Farman to delay the kick, Agyei tucked the penalty home.
Joshua Kay blazed over for Barrow, and Joel Tabiner hit a direct free-kick into the wall, before the break.
Luke Offord made an important block, and James Beadle dived bravely to smother the ball, as the visitors created panic in the Crewe box early in the second half.
Baker-Richardson’s 30-yarder had to be pushed for a corner by Farman on the hour mark, while Niall Canavan’s shot deflected off a Crewe player and hit the bar on 66.
Barrow enjoyed more and more territory but the hosts stood firm and answered all the questions asked of them.
McDonald came on to help create a back five for the last 10 minutes, and Crewe sealed it in the 89th minute through Long.
He raced onto a clever pass from Agyei and finished unerringly past the helpless Farman.
Crewe (4-3-3): Beadle; Mellor, O’Riordan, Offord, Adebisi; Thomas, Ainley (Griffiths, 72), Tabiner (McDonald, 82); Agyei, Brook (Long, 61), Baker-Richardson (Nevitt, 82).
Subs not used: Richards, Colkett, Robertson.
Booked: O’Riordan, Thomas, Agyei, Adebisi, Long.
Barrow (4-2-3-1): Farman; Ray (Garner, 79), Canavan, Brough, Warren (Feely, 46); Gotts, Foley (Neal, 46); Whitfield (Young, 67), White, Kay (Newby, 67); Gordon.
Subs not used: Lillis.
Booked: Ray, Warren
Referee: S Purkiss
Attendance: 4,821.