Crewe Alexandra 2 – 1 Latics: All good things must come to an end

Latics’ five-game winning streak and their 10-game unbeaten one ended yesterday, but the Latics fans who made the trip to Gresty Road and those who followed online are undeterred from their view that this side can challenge for promotion this season.

CREWE ALEXANDRA 2

Hutchinson 33, Holícek 90+1

LATICS 1

Drummond 29

6,587 (1,680)

Crewe were lucky in both their goals – they were brilliant strikes from Reece Hutchinson and Matús Holícek, but there’s no way either player could repeat them if asked. Sometimes it’s your day. Mat Hudson had no chance, but was called on to make plenty of high-value saves in both halves. If you want to beat Latics these days, you’re going to need not one but two one-in-a-thousand efforts to come off.

Latics went ahead in the 30th minute. The build-up was a touch scruffy, perhaps even a bit lucky, but Latics were outside the Crewe area in numbers to take up the loose ball and hassle their defence. Will Sutton did a one-two with Mike Fondop but Sutton’s attempted pass to Kai Payne in the area was intercepted. It bobbled about and broke to Kane Drummond, who sidestepped James Connolly and angled his shot back across Ian Lawlor.

Crewe’s equaliser was scored by left-back Reece Hutchinson, whose 30-yard half volley was past the diving Hudson before you could say “fluke”. When the ball came to him on the halfway line, there was no danger. A couple of touches later, he was in a position to shoot from 30 or 35 yards. This normally results in nothing worse than a throw-in or a bit of business for Autoglass in a distant car park. Hutchinson will never hit a ball harder and truer.

Crewe enjoyed their best periods of the game towards the end of the half and for about 10 minutes into the second. They put together a lovely 30-pass sequence that went

absolutely nowhere, after which they ran out of puff. Just 55 minutes into the game, they were taking their time for throw-ins and free-kicks, tying shoelaces. You get the picture.

Latics dominated but couldn’t fashion the gilt-edged chance they needed. Their shooting was indifferent and they were hampered in their build-up play by untidiness. Poor close control left them with awkward angles for the cross, passes were overhit and underhit, slowing them down when precision would have been devastating. Sutton hit the bar with a header from close range, and Lawlor saved well from Josh Hawkes at his near post.

The Crewe winner came just after the fourth official had signalled five additional minutes. Again, the ball just popped up nicely for the half volley, Matús Holícek swung his foot through it, hit it more sweetly than he’s ever hit a ball before, or than he ever will again. Hudson was unsighted and had no time to react.

Latics tried to fashion a response, but time was against them. You could sense that the Crewe rearguard action was faltering under the pressure, that Latics were getting closer. They won a corner, at which point the referee decided enough was enough.

The Latics fans to a man, woman, child and dog stayed to clap the team off. They richly deserved the applause, and absolutely did not deserve to leave Gresty Road with nothing more.

Crewe: Ian Lawlor, Lewis Billington, Reece Hutchinson, Max Sanders (Omar Bogle 90+2), Jack Lankester (Jack Powell HT), Mátus Holícek, James Connolly, Josh March, Alfie Pond, Tommi O’Reilly (Thibaut 74), Emre Tezgel

Subs not used: Tom Booth, Charlie Finney, Louis Moult, Luca Moore

Latics: Mat Hudson, Will Sutton, Donervon Daniels, Manny Monthé, Jamie Robson, Tom Pett, Ryan Woods, Jack Stevens (Josh Hawkes 61), Kane Drummond, Kai Payne (Calum Kavanagh HT), Mike Fondop

Subs not used: Tom Donaghy, Jake Leake, Kane Taylor, Joe Garner, Oli Hammond