[choirboy]

It was a solid victory today winning 4-1 over a Crewe side low on confidence. Stanley were in charge throughout the match and really could have won by an even more handsome score.
Sykes was a dominant force again in defence but also in attack. At every set piece I was looking for him to score! His first half finish was a classic ‘Big Guy’ header! From my position just right of the goal in the Clayton End it was like watching in slow motion as Ross rose a good ‘head’ above the defenders. I could see his eyes fully focused on the incoming ball and without blinking he powered the header straight towards me and across and beyond the opposing keeper into the side netting! What a super goal from a player performing at his very best!
At half time we probably deserved to be two goals in front based on the amount of pressure that we had exerted on the Crewe defence.
My only gripe about the first half was the ridiculous amount of shirt pulling that Colby Bishop had to put with. I am all in favour of the referees directive to play the game as a ‘Physical’ form of rivalry and to keep the match action going. However, shirt pulling is not accidental contact, it is simply against the rules and can also endanger a players safety. The referee today took no action at all against the Crewe defenders in the first half and IMHO he simply failed to apply the rules of the game. Other than that the referee had a good game.
In the second half Stanley really took over and when the excellent Tommy Leigh scored the second goal we were fully in charge.Tommy had a super game as did most of the Stanley players. He constantly popped up all over the pitch both nipping the ball off opponents toes but also playing his part in some slick passing movements in building attacks.
It became a matter of how many goals we could score as the game proceeded and Sykes added another super headed goal and Sean ‘snuck’ a free kick in at the near post with the Crewe keeper perhaps a bit at fault for not getting down to his near post quickly enough!
It was just a shame that we conceded a soft goal at the end of the Match! Both Yeboah and Toby were probably at fault as the full back left it late to pass the ball back and Toby should/could have put the ball over the top of Whitney Hill! (Yes the hill not the Whitney Hill stand!) It was also a shame that Ross got a yellow card in added time for a ‘hand ball’ that occured about two feet from the Crewe player who got to the ball first. I think he will get a one match suspension now.
In conclusion though, the two successive victories this week should give the players the confidence to go forward knowing that when we are on form then we can beat any team in this League at home or away.
Coley once again sensibly substituted a player on a yellow card, Butcher, which was good match management and he also gave some game time to Longelo and Lewis.
Consistency is the key word for our boys as they move forward.
Once again the Clayton End were magnificent and they were very effective as a Twelfth Man with their constant vocal support through the whole of the match.
ON SANLEY ON