Crewe ease their relegation fears by beating Forest Green

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2018 by PA

Dave Artell highlighted Jordan Bowery’s important role in Crewe’s battle against relegation after the Railwaymen beat Forest Green 3-1.

After struggling to secure a starting place in the first half of the campaign, Bowery has hit a purple patch doubling his tally for the season in the last four games, striking five goals.

They have included two in a surprise win at Lincoln last month and he ensured Crewe exacted revenge for a 3-2 loss at relegation rivals Forest Green last November with a goal in each half to offer the Railwaymen a nine-point safety cushion.

“Jordan was a Colossus for and he was the best player on the pitch by a country mile,” declared Crewe boss Artell.

“What he dragged out of himself and the energy he expended was phenomenal. Their two centre-halves knew they were in a game and he was better than them. That’s five goals in four games for him and he needs to carry that on.

“We were outstanding and kept the ball fantastically well in the first half and my only criticism is that we didn’t score more.”

Bowery showed bravery to head Harry Pickering’s free kick home under pressure from debutant keeper Cameron Belford in the 44th minute.

His strike partner, Aston Villa loanee Harry McKirdy, had been drafted in to replace the injured Shaun Miller, but the youngster spurned a one-on-one after the break, but was involved when Charlie Kirk doubled Crewe’s lead with a drilled finish on the hour mark.

Bowery fired in the third two minutes later, during a flurry of goals with Dale Grubb striking back for Forest Green in the 64th minute.

Substitute Alex Bray crashed a shot onto the bar to ensure Artell’s men – who had let a 2-1 lead slip at the New Lawn in the reverse fixture – could never rest on their laurels.

Artell added: “It seemed a bit hairy in the last 20 minutes, but I can’t remember them having another chance, although they kept the ball well.

“But we had to work hard for it and it was a thoroughly deserved three points. If we’d gone in 3-0 up at half-time it wouldn’t have flattered us because we were that superior.”

For Forest Green it was their third consecutive loss, but boss Mark Cooper believes exacting two more wins from their remaining eight fixtures will secure their hard-won Football League status.

Cooper says he hopes to have leading scorer Christian Doidge back for Saturday’s home clash with Mansfield and admitted: “I could have taken 10 off.

“I could have taken any player off tonight – but we have to take that on the chin. We will have to take some flak for that and credit to Crewe, but we didn’t apply ourselves properly.

“We have eight games to make sure we get two wins. I have to focus on what the job is between now and the end of the season and that is to make sure we get six or seven points to stay in the Football League.”