Crewe United Reserves got their league campaign off to a winning start as they saw off newly promoted Craigavon City Reserves in an entertaining 4-3 victory at Crewe Park. Sid McCrory (2), Aidso McCrory and Chinta Chisambo were on the score sheet.
Crewe United Reserves 4 Craigavon City Reserves 3
Crewe United Reserves kicked of their 2011/12 season with all 3 points in a seven goal thriller at Crewe Park. Without regular keeper Mark Booth, Joe Patterson had to step into the breach and debutise between the posts. The first goal game after a high ball was crossed into the Crewe box and Craigavon capitalised on what looked like a foul on Patterson and tucked the ball into the Crewe net.
It wasn’t long before Crewe got back on terms with Mike Kelly winning a penalty after 20 minutes after being up-ended in the box. Chinta Chisambo stepped up and tucked the spot kick into the top corner. Craigavon however kept posing problems for Crewe and went 2-1 up with ten minutes to go to the half. Sid McCrory equalised for the Glenavy men on the stroke of half time after beating two men and slotting home from close range.
Half-time: 2-2
On the hour mark Aidso McCrory was introduced to the game and made an instant impact. From twenty years out he picked the ball up and buried it into the top corner as Crewe took the lead in the game for the first time.
Crewe looked comfortable but a defensive mistake let Craigavon in again and it looked as though the points would be shared with only ten minutes left in the game. However the scoring was not over and it was left to Sid McCrory to pop up again in the box to slot home from ten yards out.
Crewe United Reserves 4 Craigavon City Reserves 3
It was a good win for Crewe against at Craigavon side that is sure to do well in Reserve Division 2 this year.
Crewe United: Joe Patterson, Mickey Riley, Aaron Tohill, Sam Gove, Chris Haggerty, Liam Patterson, Marty McCartney, Tommy Coleman, Chinta Chisambo, Mike Kelly, Chris McCrory Subs: Aidso McCrory (McCartney 60), Kevin Cassidy (Liam Patterson 70), Stephen Bailey (Chisambo 75)
