Steve can smile as Alex down Valiants
STEVE DAVIS hasn’t had much to enjoy this season but the Crewe boss managed to force a smile as Alex pulled themselves out of the relegation zone with victory over Port Vale.
Mathias Pogba put the visitors ahead after 14 minutes from a Byron Moore cross before Chucks Aneke netted from the penalty spot after the break.
Bradden Inman sealed the points on 73 minutes and David could barely hide his delight.
“It’s a match I enjoyed,” said Davis, “We started very well, put them under a lot of pressure. We were very attack minded. We were brave.
“We got goals at good times of the game.We could have had a lot more.
“We created a lot of chances in the game.We do usually create a lot of chances, but they don’t always turn into goals. It’s great that we scored three and were the much better team.”
Crewe’s early lead saw Moore cross towards the back post where Pogba headed on goal – which was blocked on the line – but the striker bundled in the rebound.
Aneke could well of doubled the scoreline shortly after, but scuffed a his shot wide from six-yards.
Port Vale made their first change after 33 minutes with the already booked Joe Davis taken off, watched by his brother, Crewe’s Harry Davis, and dad Crewe boss Steve Davis.
In the hunt for an equaliser Vale’s Tom Pope was denied first by the woodwork and his second effort saw Davis clear off the line.
Three minutes after the break Crewe doubled the lead. Skipper Matt Tootle was tripped in the box by opposing captain, Doug Loft leaving Aneke to step up and coolly slot home the penalty.
Victory was sealed for Crewe with 17 minutes remaining. Inman cut inside and fired a low rasping shot past Chris Neal.
Tom Pope pulled one back for the home side, heading in Chris Lines’ corner from close range, but Crewe held on to record only their third away win of the season.
Port Vale boss Micky Adams admitted that his side were “defensively average” during the encounter.
“We're obviously disappointed. Crewe deserved their win, I can't deny them that. I'm disappointed with certain aspects of our performance.
“We had enough going forward to get something out of the game, but defensively, very average again.
“You need people with cool heads to make the right decisions. Subsequently we got punished.”