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Match Report: Crewe 1 - 2 Brighton	Posted by David Snowball at Monday, August 11, 2008
It was a half decent performance yesterday but we weren't up against much to be honest. We started off well, pressing well up the pitch and getting lots of crosses into the box. Unfortunately, most of the play was coming down our right which meant that Cox planted most crosses straight onto the head of one of their defenders. Although we had lots of the ball we weren't making many chances and Calvin Zola should have scored with an easy header from a free kick while our defence were still getting to know each other. Virgo was looking lost in midfield as he doesn't have quick enough feet or enough mobility to properly fill that position. However, the one plus that he does have is his height, especially when getting forward which, in the end, led to the first goal. Mickey Adams switched McLeod to the right and the first time he had a chance to get a decent cross in resulted in it going straight to Virgo who made no mistake. My Crewe supporting mate was in their main stand and said he was right in line with Virgo and he reckoned he was off side but there were no complaints from the players and the goal stood. Virgo did improve as the game went on but largely because he was given time on the ball. Once he gets someone snapping at him all game (like Thomson did covering for him) then I feel that he will look out of his depth in midfield. We went in at half time fully deserving the lead and continued after the break. We were all over Crewe in the second half and hit the bar and post and had numerous scrambles in front of goal. Not getting a second goal looked like it may cost us and after they bought on Elding up front we started sitting back and letting Crewe play as we started to look a bit tired. Sure enough they got Calvin Zola through and he finished well past Kuipers who had had little to do other than punch out a few crosses. The Crewe jinx looked like it would continue but Forster got away right at the end and gave their keeper no chance with a great left foot shot into the corner - cue rapturous scenes in the far corner of the ground. New boys Hawkins and McLeod both looked like good acquisitions, Thomson had a good game in midfield as did Whing at the back and Foster up front. We shouldn't get carried away as Crewe won't have much of a season if they play like that all the time but it was good to see an accomplished performance and gives a good start to the campaign. Player Ratings Kuipers - 6 Whing - 8 Elphick - 7 Hawkins - 8 Richards - 7 Cox - 6 Thomson - 9 Virgo - 7 McLeod - 8 Forster - 8 Murray - 7 Labels: Colin Snowball, Crewe, League One