Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Boots Direct |
Match Report
An overcast sky looms overhead here at Alexandra Stadium where Crewe Alexandra play host to Preston North End. A crowd of 2,695 fill this 3,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in good condition.
Crewe Alexandra are playing in a 5-3-2 formation while Preston North End appear to be shaped for 4-4-2.
Today's match is refereed by Peter Summerbell.
The pitch is in good condition.
Crewe Alexandra are playing in a 5-3-2 formation while Preston North End appear to be shaped for 4-4-2.
Today's match is refereed by Peter Summerbell.
0.00
0-0Crewe Alexandra start the match!
12.05
1-0Eddie Batty darts forward. Eddie Batty plays a scrappy one-two with Paul Heskey and advances towards the goal... Eddie Batty rockets a shot on goal. It's in!! A beautiful goal for Eddie Batty!
16.25
1-0With a delightful solo run, Clive Bramble stretches the opposition's defence. Clive Bramble tries a spectacular long range effort but it curls horrendously wide!
24.51
1-0Adam Jackson chips the ball to his team mate, Tony Proctor. Tony Proctor controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. Peter Benjamin gathers the ball up comfortably. Quality keeping!
28.57
1-0Ledley Sheringham barges into Jonas Schröder. The referee calls over Ledley Sheringham and shows him a yellow card! Jonas Schröder stretches but gets up unharmed.
34.39
1-0Neil Hulme runs straight at the opposition's defence. Neil Hulme knocks in a cross ball towards Tony Proctor. Tony Proctor powers a header at goal. The ball comes off Tim Beckham and the loose ball is cleared up field.
39.29
Marcus Robinson threads a neat ball through to Paul Heskey. Paul Heskey shoots from 20 yards. The keeper is more than a match for it. Quality keeping!
44.43
Stanley Weir makes a simple pass to Adam Jackson. Adam Jackson chips the ball to his team mate, Tony Proctor. Tony Proctor shoots from 25 yards but couldn't keep it down. It goes high into the crowd!
45.00
The whistle indicates the end of the first half!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Crewe Alexandra appear unchanged since the first half. Preston North End also appear unchanged since the first half. The Preston North End players look more motivated than they were before.
45.00
The second half starts with Preston North End kicking off!
49.42
Adam Jackson sees space and advances. Adam Jackson finds some space and shoots from distance. The ball swerves in the air but the keeper is more than a match for it. Excellent save!
53.14
Marcus Robinson advances with the ball. Marcus Robinson controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal but he gets too far under it and it goes high into the crowd!
57.51
1-0Clive Bramble deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Titus Southgate. Titus Southgate knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Stanley Weir.
60.15
1-0Crewe Alexandra have made 3 substitutions with Tommy Johnson replacing Eddie Batty, Marcus Benali replacing Paul Heskey and Nigel Oakley replacing Marcus Benali .
65.53
Dave Lowe knocks the ball forward to Tony Proctor. Tony Proctor lofts in a cross ball towards Jonas Schröder. With a superhuman jump, Jonas Schröder connects with the ball and heads it goalwards but it sails harmlessly over the bar!
66.11
Ashley Rufus catches Nigel Oakley on the ankles. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Nigel Oakley stretches but gets up unharmed.
67.43
Neil Hulme sees Tony Proctor in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Tony Proctor knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Peter Benjamin who gathers it comfortably.
77.11
Crewe Alexandra appear to have rearranged themselves into a 4-5-1 formation. Preston North End have made a substitution with Jason Benali replacing Adam Jackson .
79.02
Dave Lowe makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Jonas Schröder. Jonas Schröder lofts in a cross ball towards Tony Proctor. Tony Proctor rises majestically and gets a header on goal but it curls horrendously wide!
81.22
Marc Gascoigne deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Tony Proctor. Tony Proctor knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Peter Benjamin who gathers it comfortably.
83.57
Tommy Johnson takes it forward alone. Tommy Johnson knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
90.00
Neil Hulme makes an attacking run forward. Neil Hulme knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Peter Benjamin who gathers it comfortably.
90.00
Full-time is reached with the referee blowing his whistle!
Match Statistics
Goals
1
0
Shots on Target
2
3
Shots off Target
2
3
Offsides
0
1
Fouls
1
1
Yellow Cards
1
1
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
40.8%
59.2%
Play Area
38%
47.9%
14.1%
Scorers
| Eddie Batty 12 |
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Eddie Batty of Crewe Alexandra |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Peter Benjamin (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Tim Beckham (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Phil Forbes (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Jason Potts (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Ledley Sheringham (DEF) |  | 5 |
| 6. | James Vassell (DEF) | 6 | |
| 7. | Clive Bramble (MID) | 7 | |
| 8. | Marcus Robinson (MID) | 7 | |
| 9. | Eddie Batty (MID) |  | 9 |
| 10. | Titus Southgate (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Marcus Benali (MID) | 0 | |
| 12. | Tommy Johnson (MID) | 6 | |
| 13. | Nigel Oakley (GK) | 6 | |
| 14. | Paul Heskey (ATT) | 7 | |
| 1. | Paul Beagrie (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Bill Kasper (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Stanley Weir (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Leon Lisbie (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Ashley Rufus (DEF) | | 5 |
| 6. | Marc Gascoigne (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Dave Lowe (MID) | 8 | |
| 8. | Neil Hulme (MID) | 7 | |
| 9. | Adam Jackson (MID) | 8 | |
| 10. | Tony Proctor (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Jonas Schröder (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Nwankwo Burgess (GK) | 0 | |
| 13. | Norman Philips (ATT) | 0 | |
| 14. | Jason Benali (MID) | 6 | |