Another superb win on the road for Alex (From Crewe Guardian)

Another superb win on the road for Alex

12:51pm Friday 18th December 2009

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Barnet 1 Crewe 2

DARE we dream of a trip to Wembley?

Crewe raised those hopes with another superb win on the road last Saturday.

Goals from Joel Grant and Clayton Donaldson proved enough to end Barnet’s unbeaten home record.

And if they can sort out their form at Gresty Road, maybe a promotion push really is on the cards.

“We must start turning our home games into victories,” explained boss Dario Gradi.

“I can’t guarantee winning or losing but I will guarantee we play that kind of football.”

It probably should have been a lot more comfortable on the bizarre sloping pitch at Underhill.

Matt Tootle looked to have genuine claims for an early penalty when keeper Jake Cole flew out his goal and took his legs.

But referee Keith Hill infuriated Gradi by showing the youngster a yellow card for simulation.

“I told the fourth official he is calling my player a cheat which means he is calling me a cheat,” said Gradi.

“The referee talked about simulation but I don’t even know what that means.

“I asked Toots if he dived and he said he didn’t.

“I’ll be taking that up after looking at the DVD.”

Donaldson should have opened the scoring on 17 minutes after latching onto Simon Walton’s long ball but he shot straight at Cole.

But Crewe didn’t have to wait much longer as right-back Calum Butcher made a hash of Ashley Westwood’s cross and Grant was in the right place to put the ball away.

The visitors’ dominance continued only for Dean Sinclair to throw a spanner in the works, sliding home Albert Jarrett’s cross to level on 40 minutes.

It was a set-back that seemed to rattle the Alex.

Steve Phillips did well to hold Craig McAllister’s strike while John O’Flynn missed a sitter as Barnet started the second half strongly.

Crewe dug in and for once got the break, Donaldson moving well to flick Calvin Zola’s assist past Cole for 2-1 on 67 minutes.

Mat Mitchel-King and Danny O’Donnell stood firm as the hosts tried to muster a response to no avail.

“We didn’t play well in the second half but we didn’t give Barnet too many chances,” added Gradi.

“I think it was the best display by the two centre-halves together although I’d like to see the goal as I think Mat might have lost someone.

“Westy was sharp and aggressive in midfield and it was a blow when he went off.

“But we got on with it and we might have grabbed a third goal.”

Crewe: Phillips, Brayford, Tootle, Mitchel-King, O’Donnell, Murphy, Walton, Westwood (Shelley 59), Grant, Zola, Donaldson. Subs not used: Collis, Ada, Moore, Worley, Tichiner, Mellor. Attendence: 1,841.

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