CREWE’S SHIP IS RIDING A WAVE
STEVE DAVIS is refusing to get carried away despite seeing Crewe Alexandra move into the automatic promotion places with a comfortable victory at Grimsby Town.
A third straight League Two win means the Railwaymen are third in the table. Goals from George Cooper and James Jones either side of the break were enough to gun down their in-form hosts at Blundell Park.
Chris Dagnall also saw a first-half penalty saved by Grimsby stopper James McKeown.
Crewe, who have been beaten just once in eight games, are now just three points shy of leaders Plymouth Argyle at the summit.
Davis said: “It seems like a far contrast to the past couple of seasons when we have struggled. We have restored some pride, work ethic and confidence with our performances and our play.
“It’s the start of a long season, and we are pleased with how it’s started. We have to keep it going, but we won’t get carried away – I know what football can be like.
“I know what can happen if complacency sets in, but that will never happen with me. We will always work hard on the training ground to make sure we are right.
“We are delighted with the position that we currently find ourselves in. It’s a reward for the players, for their hard work and grafting in the summer. We hope it will continue.” Grimsby boss Paul Hurst, who saw his men slip to a first League Two loss in three matches, said: “For the first time this season there was disappointment in terms of the display.
“We were up against a team that’s only lost one game and were a League One outfit last season. You have to give the opposition credit – they stopped us playing, and did it well.
“It was terrible for us to concede just before half-time, and we didn’t create or ask too many questions of them.
“We were quite a way off our own standards – especially after last week. To drop off so quickly after that was disappointing. It was our worst performance to date, and definitely a reality check.”
Grimsby were unchanged ahead of kick-off, despite the midweek arrival of former Premier League defender Danny Collins. And the hosts started brightly, before almost ‘handing’ Crewe a headstart.
Josh Gowling handled in the box, and up stepped Dagnall. However, McKeown was equal to the task, springing low to his right to save.
Crewe were in control, and just seconds before half-time they were celebrating a lead as Cooper took full advantage of Luke Summerfield’s untimely slip.
After the break, the Mariners were limited to two long-range attempts – both from QPR loanee Brandon Comley.
And with ten minutes to play, the visitors sealed the victory when Jones arrived late in the box and slotted home after a spot of goalmouth pinball.