Crewe Alexandra 1-3 Morecambe
Sky Bet League One
The Mornflake Stadium
Tuesday 21 September 2021
Kick-Off: 7:45pm
Attendance: 3,542 (213 away)
Two goals from Arthur Gnaouha and one from Adam Phillips ensured the Shrimps headed home with all three points.
A second half strike from Mikael Mandron gave the home side a chance just after the break, but it would be the away side's day in Cheshire.
The first big chance of the game came on the ninth minute as Stephen Robinson’s Shrimps opened the scoring at The Mornflake Stadium.
A drilled cross by Greg Leigh found the unmarked Phillips in the middle of the Alex six-yard box, who had the easy job of applying the finishing touch to a delightful cross.
Moments later, the visitors nearly doubled their lead.
A carbon copy of the first goal came close to finding the back of Will Jaaskelainen’s net once again, another cross from Leigh was originally parried by the ‘keeper, the ball then fell to Stockton who rounded him and took aim, unfortunately for him, there was a Crewe man back on the line to spare the home shot stopper's blushes.
On the 28th minute, the Shrimps did have their second, a perfect piece of play down the right saw the ball teased across the box by Wes McDonald and there was Gnahoua to prod home.
The home side were inches away from pulling a goal back with moments of the first period remaining, however a stunning save from Kyle Letheren maintained our two-goal lead at the break.
Half-time: Crewe Alexandra 0-2 Morecambe
In the opening five minutes of the second half, the Railwaymen pulled a goal back.
It was a goal very similar to our first with a cross from the left by Rio Adebisi finding Mandron in the centre of the six-yard box waiting to apply the finish.
Just after the hour mark, the Shrimps were inches away from reclaiming their two-goal lead, as a brilliant ball was pulled back to the penalty spot by substitute Liam Gibson, and there was Phillips to get a shot off - but Donervon Daniels was in the way to make a goal-saving block.
Minutes later, the tie could have been level but for the brilliance of Letheren in the Morecambe goal, the 'keeper was there to pull off a huge save to deny Callum Ainley who had been a thorn in visitor's side since the first whistle.
With five minutes of the game remaining, the Shrimps wrapped up three points in impressive fashion.
A counter-attacking move saw Stockton feed Gnahoua who made sure that the Robinson’s side would head home with the win by thumping his effort into the top corner of Jaaskelainen’s goal.
Full-time: Crewe Alexandra 1-3 Morecambe
We return to the Mazuma Stadium on Saturday as we welcome Accrington Stanley in the first Lancashire derby of the season.
Crewe Alexandra: Jaaskelainen, Ramsey, Adebisi, Thomas, Ainley (Finney 84’), Mandron, Lundstrum, Daniels, Robertson, Kashket (Porter 75’), Bennett.
Subs not used: Richards, Offord, McFadzean, Gomes, Sass-Davies.
Goals: Mandron 49’
Bookings: None
Red cards: None
Morecambe: Letheren, Leigh, O’Connor (C), McDonald (Gibson 56’), Diagouraga, Stockton, Phillips (McCalmont 73’), McLoughlin, Cooney (McLaughlin 56’), Gnahoua, Wootton.
Subs not used: Andresson, Jones, McPake, Delaney.
Goals: Phillips 9’, Gnahoua 28’ 85.
Bookings: Cooney 40’, McLoughlin 79’, Stockton 80’
Red cards: None