Crewe produced a much improved performance at Crewe Park against Blackers Mill to secure a vital three points for the Glenavy men. A 5-2 win helped to diminsh the disappointment of the previous weeks defeat to Laurelvale.
Crewe United 5 Blackers Mill 2
The opening exchanges we fairly even at a bitterly cold Crewe Park. The home side opened the scoring after twenty minutes as Crewe hit Blackers Mill on the break and Mickey Tohill continued his recent prolific strike rate when he slotted into the back of the net from the right hand side of the penalty area.
After the goal Crewe pressed for a second and should have been awarded a penalty when Tohill was up-ended in the box. The Crewe backline meanwhile stood up to any pressure Blackers Mill exerted with Thomas Scullion impressing on hid full debut at right back.
Half time: 1-0
The second half saw Crewe come out and take the game to the visitors once more. Coughlan was a menace down the right and McCrory was pulling the strings in midfield. McCrory put Crewe two up after a fine solo run and placed a shot into the bottom corner.
The third came soon after with Conor McCarthy hammering home after a mistake from the Blackers Mill goalkeeper to score his first ever goal for Crewe. Coughlan added a deserved fourth after as Crewe looked to be cruising to the victory.
However after Chris Haggerty was forced off through injury Crewe lost there concentration and conceded two sloppy goals in quick succession. Blackers Mill then hit the cross bar as Crewe nerves began to show. The three points were sealed when Tohill despatched a penalty after a hand ball by the Mills defender.
Overall a good performance from Crewe which will ease the worries of being dragged into the relegation battle in the Mid Ulster Leagues top division.
Full time: 5-2
Team: Duff, McCarthy, Scullion, McKenna (c), Mulligan, Haggerty, McCrory, Coughlan, Tohill, McQuillan. Subs: Black (Haggerty 75), Rushton (Mulligan 80), Heaney (McQuillan 80)
