Rylands 2 Crewe FC 3

CREWE FC’s assistant manager is challenging his side to beat last year’s points total after adding another three to their haul against Rylands on Saturday.

Nath Southern levelled after the hosts opened the scoring before second half Steve McNichol and Carl Everall strikes gave Crewe a narrow win.

Assistant Luke Goddard was delighted with the result and is now targeting at least 53 points in the Cheshire League top flight.

“A brilliant result versus a strong Rylands side who have been in great form,” he said. “We played well with the ball for the majority of the game except a 10-minute period in the second half.

“The only negative was two poor goals conceded that should’ve been dealt with if we were correct off the ball.

“However, after last week’s collapse, it’s great to win in that fashion and move back up to second with seven games left.

“The next target is to win three more games to beat last year’s record and we will see after that how well we can finish.”

Southern levelled from an Ian Carr pass after Rylands had taken an early lead and the sides entered the break all square.

The visitors took the lead on 75 minutes when McNichol headed home from a corner, only for Rylands to equalise from a set piece of their own.

But player-manager Carl Everall found himself in space minutes from time and stabbed the winner home through a crowded penalty box.

Everall was pleased to see his Crewe outfit sticking to their game plan and believes that is the reason they eventually came away with three points.

“In terms of development our lads are playing some great football and the philosophy we have set out in training and behind the scenes is now transferring to the pitch,” he said.

“When we do keep the ball though we play with lots of freedom and on occasions when we lose possession we become vulnerable to the counter attack.

“I'm a believer that we play 'our way' for 90 minutes, but we now must learn to be sensible in the final period of the game in order to see it out effectively.”