Robins are rocking to Waters’ new tune
GARY Johnson hailed the performance of former Crewe Alexandra front man Billy Waters as Cheltenham Town picked up their first win back in the Football League.
Goals in the first half from Rob Dickie and James Dayton secured a 2-0 home win over Crewe, but it was Waters who Johnson singled out for praise.
“Billy absolutely worked his socks off and if anyone deserved a goal, he did,” Johnson said.
“His work rate probably deserved man of the match, but every game he needs to put that work rate in and I think he’s remembered he doesn’t like not being in the team.
“We have extra competition up there now, but you won’t be moving Billy just yet and if he goes through a season like that he will score goals.
“He looks confident and he gave their two centre-halves a lot to think about.”
Johnson admitted it was a big relief to pick up three points after three draws and a defeat.
“The fans have supported us well and I was pleased to get that first win for them and to give confidence to the boys that they can beat teams at this level.
“Crewe have come down and they still have League One players so it’s a good result and we have to respect this division that’s for sure.” Crewe manager Steve Davis felt his team improved after the break, but they failed to manage a shot on target throughout the game.
“We had a really poor start and I decided to change it and try to get more control in the game,” he said.
“Unless something changed, we weren’t going to get back in to the game but I think we did that and we were a different side in the second half.
“We are going to make mistakes, as we did for the second goal, because that’s how we’re looking to play.
“We passed the ball better in the second half, they made it very difficult to get in behind with their back five and it was a very tight game. “We huffed and puffed but didn’t really create enough.”
Dickie, back on loan from Reading after a successful spell last term, netted the first goal after 16 minutes, touching in a low corner from James Dayton.
Dayton scored himself in the 22nd minute to make it 2-0 after intercepting a misplaced ball from Danny Hollands.
Waters sent an effort just wide after Amari Morgan-Smith’s pass.
The closest Crewe came to pulling one back was with Callum Ainley’s low effort.