Crewe United U16 demolished 18th Newtownabbey in a second half blitz as Niall Finn (pictured), Andrew Mellon, Louis Jefferson and Elliot Birch hit four goals to seal all three points.
Crewe United u16s Vs 18th Newtonabbey u16s
An uninspired first half with little to choose between the two teams, back and forth play from both teams with encouraging build up play in the midfield and forward line, where chance after chance went begging as Crewe players failed to find the net, shots from Dale Jackson, Jordan Sloan and Niall Finn from distance sailing wide or over the bar. The best opportunity of the half fell to Louis Jefferson who broke up the left hand side, dribbling passed three defenders and shrugging off another two before releasing a shot into the keeper’s hands.. The half came to a close with all the chances ultimately ending in nothing.
Half Time: Crewe United u16s 0-0 18th Newtownabbey u16s
As the second half commenced, 18th Newtownabbey broke away early, scoring the opening goal of the game as the lighting quick right midfielder proved too much as he glided passed the Crewe defence driving a low hard shot into the far corner. As the rain set in, it seemed to spark some life into Crewe’s play, with some wonderful one-two passing moves which gave Dale Jackson and Andrew Mellon some chances on goal.
The first goal for Crewe came with an excellent cross from Andrew Mellon finding Lee Taggart whose header was placed wide of the post but with great movement by Louis Jefferson and an excellent leap over the defender, young Jefferson managed to head the ball into the path of Niall Finn who nodded the ball home from close range, continuing his run of scoring in every game this season.
Having got the equaliser Crewe piled the pressure on the Newtonabbey side and with many attempts on goal Crewe managed to win a corner, a quick one by Elliot Birch found the heads of Andrew Mellon and Lee Taggart with the final touch coming from Mellon to send Crewe into the lead. After the goal there was a great midfield battle with Jordan Sloan coming out triumphant, he played the ball into Dale Jackson who found Niall Finn, Niall managed a delicate backheel which split open the Newtonabbey defence, Louis Jefferson put on an extra burst of pace to skilfully drag the ball around the goalkeeper and place the ball into the open net.
With a two goal cushion, Crewe completely dominated in all areas and were just too strong for Newtownabbey, especially Elliot Birch who finally drove the ball home from a tight angle and his performance earning him man of the match. That proved to be the last action of the game as the Crewe lads sailed onto a 3 goal win.
Full Time : Crewe United u16s 4 18th Newtownabbey 1
