Despite losing goalkeeper Colm McAuley after five minutes Crewe produced a fine display beating Laurelvale 4-0 with Paul Coughlin (above) producing a fine individual performance for Crewe..
Crewe United 4 Laurelvale 0
Crewe got back to league action after several weeks of cup games and were seeking three points as they play catch up on league games.
However it didnt look as if it was going to be a good day for Crewe when, after just 5 minutes, goalkeeper Colm McAuley was clattered by the Laurelvale forward and was stretchered off. Andy Rushton had to come off the bench to step in between the sticks and was superb for the rest of the game, dealing with anything that was thrown at him.
The next ten minutes of the game saw Crewe settle down despite the setback and they began to play some good football. Conor McQuillan should have put Crewe ahead but dragged his shot wide, and then Paul Coughlan had his effort cleared off the line and Gerdy Lynas hit the post just before half time.
Half-time: 0-0
The second half started with Crewe continuing to press. The Glenavy men deservedly took the lead when Conor McQuillan powered his way through the Vale back four and set Lynas up to tap home. The second came quickly after when Lynas added his second with a powerful shot that the visiting keeper could only spill into his goal.
The Crewe backline of Haggerty, McManus, Franklin and McCarthy did well to protect their stand in keeper but Rushton pulled off an excellent save down to his right to keep Laurelvale out. Crewe sensed more goals and they duly game when after 60 minutes Sid McCrory powered home a header from a Lynas corner kick.
The points were already wrapped up for Crewe but Paul Coughlin rounded off a super display by heading home a cross from McCrory to seal a resounding win.
The loss of Colm McAuley in goal was a blow but everyone at Crewe wishes him a speedy recovery.
Full-time: 4-0
Team: McAuley, Haggerty, McCarthy, McManus, Franklin, Black, Mulligan, Coughlin, McCrory, McQuillan, Lynas. Subs: Rushton (for McAuley 5), Teague (For McQullian, 65), Kearns (for Mulligan 70)
