Loan star Ikpeazu’s back with a bang
UCHE IKPEAZU kicked off his second loan spell at bottom-side Crewe with a goal to give boss Steve Davis plenty of cause for optimism.
Watford loanee Ikpeazu, who scored four times for the Alex last season, fired the hosts in front against Doncaster before James Coppinger’s late equaliser ensured a share of the spoils.
And, though frustrated to have conceded from a set piece, Davis is keen to take advantage of Crewe’s fortnight-long break to work with Ikpeazu and fellow onloan striker Nicky Ajose.
“Their partnership looked good in training and there was real promise there,” he said.
“We have two weeks now to work with them and get them fitter.
“There is a lot of hope with those two.You could see they caused Doncaster’s defence real problems.
“It was an exciting game and the supporters will have enjoyed that. They started better than us but we got ourselves into the game and attacked with real intent.
“We played some good football and if we keep dong that then we will be OK. Maybe a point was a fair result though.”
Ikpeazu and Ajose linked up well from the off, with the former showing good strength to feed his strike partner on nine minutes, but Reece Wabara blocked well.
At the other end, Ben Garratt showed great reflexes to turn Coppinger’s first-time effort wide on ten minutes, after Curtis Main’s cross.
Ikpeazu fired Crewe into the lead on the halfhour though, pouncing on a loose ball in the area to turn and slot in via a slight deflection.
Paul Keegan then mistimed a header on 38 minutes, which dropped for Ajose in the area, but the Leeds loanee rushed his chance and volleyed well wide.
Ikpeazu continued to cause problems after the break, powering forward from halfway on 62 minutes before firing straight at Sam Johnstone.
Doncaster threw men forward in search of an equaliser and their pressure told on 80 minutes when Coppinger followed in after Luke McCullough’s near-post effort was well saved.
Boss Paul Dickov said: “There is a feeling of frustration but I thought we started the game well and the goalkeeper’s pulled off a fine save from Coppinger.
“But give Crewe credit, their front two were a handful. They’ve brought Ikpeazu back and he caused us problems.
“On the positive side, we’ve gone behind and shown character to get back in the game again.
“I’m delighted to get a point away from home but frustrated at the same time because I thought we deserved three.”