Current holders, of the Steel & Sons Cup, H&W Welders, scored two first half goals to see them through to the second round after a brave display from the Crewe side, but the experience and quality of the Shipyard men was too much for the Mid Ulster League outfit.
Crewe United 0 H&W Welders 2
A good crowd turned up to Crewe Park for the first game of the season as many of them hoped for a shock in Glenavy. In the opening exchanges Crewe looked solid despite the Welders having alot of the possession. The Belfast men should have went 1-0 up after good work down the left but the cross was skied over the bar from Bloomer.
On 35 minutes however Crewe were undone by a mistake at the back as Chris Haggerty misjudged a through ball and Carson pounced to punish Crewe with a great strike into the bottom corner with McAuley given no chance in the Crewe goal. It was 2-0 just before half time after some hesitation in the Crewe penalty area and Bloomer made ammends for his earlier miss as he took his chance well.
Half time: 0-2
Crewe came out in the second period knowing they could do better, and after 51 mins Conor McQuillan looked to have reduced the arrears. He rounded Dougherty in the visitors goal after a through ball from Reid but could only look on as his shot rebounded off the foot of the post.
Crewe passed the ball better in the second half but still had to defend resolutely as the Welders asked questions of the young side. Creggan was excellent at the back for the Glenavy team as he marshalled the back line. However the Crewe side could only muster one other real opportunity in the last minutes of the game when Chisambo’s flick header was saved from Dougherty.
Overall the Welders deserved their victory but it was a good learing experience for the Crewe side as they begin the season ahead.
Full time: 0-2
Crewe United: McAuley, Bingham (c), Haggerty, Creggan, McCarthy, Coughlin, McManus, McCabe, Black, Reid, McQullian Subs: Gove (for Haggerty 45), Chisambo (for Reid 75), Mulligan (for McCabe 65), Coleman
