Crewe United fired themselves into the semi-finals of the Premier Cup as goals from 30th birthday boy Chinta ‘Samba’ Chisambo and Marty McManus defeated Markethill Swifts 2-1. The Reserves also won against Lurgan Town Boys to remain top of their Divison and remain undefeated this season.
The Reserves defeated Lurgan Town at Crewe Park with a goal from Tommy Kemspton as they continued their superb early season form. Both teams remain undefeated in Mid Ulster League competitions to date this season.
Markethill Swifts 1 Crewe United 2
Premier Cup Quarter Final
Crewe United made the journey to Markethill to take on Markethill Swifts in the Quarter Final of the Premier Cup. Scott Bingham and Sam Gove were both back in the squad after missing the previous weeks Irish Cup exit and both were right back in the starting line-up. With the game not even 10 minutes old Crewe fell behind.
The hosts attacked up the left and a speculative cross was played low into the Crewe box and a touch from the unfortunate Cregan directed the ball past the stranded McAuley. Once again going a goal down seemed the be wake-up call for the Crewe men.
Mulligan bending a free-kick over the bar and McQuillan driving at the back four and shooting wide showed the visitors intent. However Crewe were soon forced into a change, the returning Bingham suffered an ankle injury which forced him off, to be replaced by McStravick.
Around 25 minutes in McManus drove forward from the middle of the park, battled his way past 2 challenges before skipping past a challenge on the edge of the box and unleashing a ferocious left foot strike past the home keeper to level the game. Crewe began to run the game from this point, Mulligan controlled the ball in midfield and drove at the defence before flicking a lovely ball over the left-full back into the path of McQuillan who dragged his shot across the keeper and narrowly wide.
With around 10 minutes remaining before half-time a Crewe attack fizzled out on the edge of the Markethill box. Markethill’s number 4 attempted to dribble the ball into midfield, however he was hunted down by Chisambo who robbed him of the ball and turned to face the goal, he then nutmegged to on-rushing defender and unleashed a swerving 25 yard strike which decieved the keeper and flew into the net.
Half Time: Markethill Swifts FC 1 – 2 Crewe United FC
Crewe were slow out of the blocks after half time and had to withstand some intense pressure from the hosts. Once again Crewe were forced into a change, McStravick who replaced Bingham got hurt himself and was replaced by Bailey who went to wide right, with Black going into Central Midfield and McManus slotting into right back.
Crewe began to assert themselves again, McCabe driving through challenges in midfield, releasing McQuillan who strode into the box, turned and laid the ball back to Mulligan who stuck the ball low at goal only to see the keeper save the shot comfortably. Crewe continued to take the initiative, Bailey striding down the right hand side slid the ball inside to McQuillan who drove into the box and was felled by a poor challenge from a Markethill defender and a penalty was awarded.
Mulligan stepped up to take the spot kick and drove it low and hard to the left, however the Markethill keeper guessed right and dived at full stretch to pull off an excellent save and keep his team in the tie. Crewe’s right back curse continued when McManus pulled up injured, and was replaced by Hogan, a midfielder by trade, who was the 4th player to take up the position in this game.
Crewe began to get pushed back, two excellent goal-line clearances from Haggerty, numerous catches and punches from the unflappable McAuley and a dominant performance from the excellent Sam Gove kept Crewe in the lead as they held on to book their place in the Semi Final.
Full Time: Markethill Swifts FC 1 – 2 Crewe United FC
Crewe United: McAuley, Bingham(c) ,Gove, Creggan, Haggerty, Black, McManus, McCabe, Mulligan, McQuillan, Chisambo. Subs: McStravick (for Bingham, 10), Hogan (for McManus 80), Bailey (for McStravick 65)
