ARTELL DEFIANT DESPITE THUMPING
CREWE boss David Artell still believes his players can get out of relegation trouble, despite their heavy defeat at Accrington Stanley.
It was the fifth defeat on the trot for Alexandra and some fans voiced their frustrations after the game as their team wallow near the foot of the table.
“The fans have a right to voice their opinion as long as they aren’t breaking the law. They pay their money,” said Artell. “I would rather they had a go at me than the players and they are entitled to their opinion.”
Stanley took the lead in the 12th minute when defender Ross Sykes headed home Sean McConville’s corner.
Crewe keeper Dave Richards dived low to keep out Cody Adedoyin’s header to prevent a second.
Alex grew into the game. Scott Robertson fired past the out-rushing Toby Savin after 22 minutes but he couldn’t find the target .
The damage was then done in the second half when Stanley seized control with quick-fire goals.
After 51 minutes, McConville’s free kick found the head of Tommy Leigh and he powered the ball home.
McConville’s third assist of the game came after 60 minutes when his corner once again found the towering Sykes, who headed home.
Then winger McConville got in on the act, curling a free kick home after 64 minutes.
Crewe grabbed a consolation in injury time when a defensive mix-up allowed Dan Agyei to leap on a loose ball and tap it into an empty net.
Artell said: “We had the best chance of the game in open play over the 90 minutes, but we conceded from four set-pieces. We had worked on them in training as we know they are a big team – but you need to mark set-pieces properly.
“We conceded from two corners and two free kicks. You can practice defending all you want, but if you do not do it, you get what you sow.
“We are a young team. We have to stick together. We will make sure they get the support we can offer and protect them as much as they can.
“We have to keep working hard and believing.”
Stanley celebrated back-to-back wins but gaffer John Coleman was upset at the referee for a last-minute booking for Sykes, who will now miss two games.
He said: “I should be happy and I am trying not to let the last three minutes spoil my day, but it’s difficult as I don’t understand how Ross got booked for his foul but other players didn’t.
“I am trying to not let this spoil what was a terrific win. We were good value for it and we should have won by more.
“We were dominant. We flew out the traps.”
Savin 6, Clark 7, Sykes 10, Nottingham 7, Amankwah 7, Leigh 9, Butcher 7 (Conneely 58, 6), Hamilton 7, Adedoyin 7 (Longelo 65, 6), Bishop 7, McConville 10 (Lewis 70, 6). Subs not used: Rodgers, Pell, Isherwood, Morgan.
Richards 6, Alebiosu 5 (Murphy 69, 6), Johnson 6, O’Riordan 6, Offord 6, Uwakwe 6, Robertson 6, Griffiths 6, Harper 6 (Ainley 61, 7), Agyei 6, Porter 6 (Long 68, 6). Subs not used: Jääskeläinen, Finney, Sambou, Salisbury.