- Women side cruise to comfortable victory
- Summer signing Emily Cole opens her account
- Debutants Rubie Deaville and Hattie Bourne make instant impression
Everton loanee Emily Cole scored in either half to get her Crewe Alexandra account up and running as Alex returned to Crewe Alexandra in the Community arena with a comfortable victory.
Leah Collins grabbed her first of the season for the Reds, which was created by the star of the show Katie Gibbons.
Head Coach Matt Fisher was able to name midweek signings Rubie Deaville and Hattie Bourne in his matchday squad, but the Crewe Alex supporters will have to wait to see Ellie Jones in action as she wasn't given international clearance in time.
The Alex raced into an early lead when Jess Sheridan's effort from distance came back off the bar and Cole was on hand to smash home from close-range to grab her first goal for the club.
The home side tried to use the wide areas with Collins and Gibbons asking questions of the Salford full-backs.
Matt Fisher introduced loan signing Deaville early on in the game and she instantly settled. The attacking midfielder started to receive the ball in the pocket behind the Salford's midfield.
Crewe started the second half like the first, when a counter attack saw a 3v2 situation and Gibbons' low cross from the left was met by Collins to double the hosts' lead.
Not long after the restart it was three. Amanda Fallon won the aerial ball and her flick on created an opportunity for Cole to grab her second of the day and she did just that.
A potential game changing moment came on 74 minutes when Laura Garner was adjudged to have brought the Salford player down in the box. Garner was sin-binned for her protests and Laura Tobin got one back for the visitors.
With Crewe down to 10 players after the dismissal of Garner, then came a period of domination for Salford and they were unlucky not to grab another. Holloway came to the rescue on numerous occasions to keep the Alex with a two-goal cushion.
When the Reds were allowed to reintroduce a player, Fisher opted for Emilia Edwards and his side quickly started to control the play again.
There was a late stoppage in-play as Salford City goalkeeper required medical assistance from a non-contact incident. A lot of appreciation was shared to the first aiders and volunteers who supported the player.
Management staff noinated Katir Gibbsons as their Player of the Match.
Speaking after the victory, Matt Fisher said: "The players worked so hard for that victory.
"The conditions were really hard for both sets of players, but I felt we managed it well. We played some really good football in phases and now the challenge is playing that style of football more consistently throughout the game.
With a lot of debuts handed out, Fisher added: "The new signings did very well and we're chuffed for Emily to get her first goals for the club."
On the off the ball incident, Fisher wanted to thank supporters who were quick onto the scene and wish his best in her recovery to Grace the Salford number one: "Obviously it goes without saying that the incident near the end soured the day," said Fisher.
"I would like to send my best wishes to Grace and her family, and also a thank you to our volunteer first aiders for their quick reactions on the day."
