Hyde United 2

Crewe Alex 4

by Tony Beard

CREWE Alex were pushed all the way by Blue Square North Hyde United at a sunny Ewen Fields last night, despite taking an early two-goal lead.

The Alex fielded a full first team and took the lead on 11 minutes when Joel Grant broke clear and rounded Hyde keeper Michael Jones to score easily.

Crewe increased their lead seven minutes later when Danny O'Donnell scrambled the ball home from close range.

The Alex continued to have most of the play on a superb playing surface, but were pegged back on 39 minutes when Robbie Smith scored a great goal for Hyde from just inside the area.

The goal gave fresh impetus to the home side who had included a number of debutants and trialists.

Clayton Donaldson had an early chance to increase Crewe's lead immediately after the break, but his weak header was well saved by Jones.

Crewe were made to pay dearly as the ball was immediately punted upfield to allow Paul Gedman to outstrip a static defence and coolly hammer the ball past loan signing David Button.

Hyde's joy was short-lived as Jones was judged to have brought down Donaldson in the area and Billy Jones made no mistake from the spot.

On 60 minutes, Anthony Elding struck a free-kick which brought another good save from Jones.

Both sides introduced numerous substitutes which took much of the flow out of the game, but Crewe increased their lead on 65 with a little good fortune. Jones made a brilliant close-range save from Elding, but the ball rebounded to Grant, who scrambled the ball home off both posts.

Byron Moore broke clear down the left but Jones made another excellent save, but Hyde were still battling strongly despite Crewe's superior fitness and Lee Rick was only inches over from 25 yards.

Calvin Zola had a late chance for the Alex but blasted high and wide when well placed .

All in all, this was a good work-out for the Alex which pleased assistant manager, Steve Davis.

He said: "It was a good game played in an excellent spirit – the way it was played was a credit to both sides."

Crewe Alex: Button, Brayford, Jones, Mitchel-King, O'Donnell, Ada, Donaldson, Schumacher, Elding, Zola, Grant. Subs: Moore (for Donaldson, 70), Legzdins (for Button, 70), Westwood (for Mitchel-King, 60), Bailey (for Schumacher, 60), Tootle (for Elding, 65).