Daniel Carr at the double for Eyre’s men
A superb first half display earned Town’s U21s their second successive victory of the season at Crewe on Monday afternoon.
Steve Eyre’s men went in at the half-time interval 4-1 to the good after Duane Holmes, Cristian Lopez and Daniel Carr (x2) had all netted.
With the international break looming Steve Eyre was able to call upon a number of first team players as Town’s U21s looked to build upon last week’s impressive victory against Leeds.
Eyre was without Matt Crooks, though, who suffered an illness through the night and was only deemed fit enough for the bench.
Town, with Danny Ward down the left, almost caught Crewe cold in the second minute, but Spanish striker Cristian Lopez was unable to head the winger’s cross on target.
Eyre’s men had the goal their early play deserved inside ten minutes, though, when Duane Holmes raced onto Dale Hopson’s pass and beat the home team’s ‘keeper at his near post.
Crewe, with former Premier League striker Nathan Ellington leading the line, responded well and were deservedly level on the score board when Ian Bennett was beaten from 12 yards after Town had failed to clear their lines.
The Terriers’ lead was restored midway through the second 45 when Cristian Lopez fired home excellently from the edge of the box before Daniel Carr’s quick-fire double meant that Town went in at the break 4-1 up.
The second half was far more even as Crewe restricted Town in the midfield area and looked more of an attacking threat. Despite that, the best effort they could muster with just twenty minutes to go was a free-kick from Ellington which flew over Bennett’s cross bar.
Town’s best chance of the half fell to Carr who was prevented his hat trick by a smart, one handed save, from Crewe’s stopper.
Crewe did grab a consolation in the final minute of the game courtesy of an own goal.
Town’s team (4-4-2):
Ian Bennett; Tommy Smith (c), Murray Wallace, James Burke, Dale Hopson (Joe Wilkinson, 79); Danny Ward (Paul Mullin, 68), Oscar Gobern, Duane Holmes, Max Leonard; Cristian Lopez, Daniel Carr
Unused substitutes:
Ed Wilzcysnki, Matt Crooks
