Crewe hit Morecambe for six

Alex Nicholls netted twice on his Crewe debut as the Railwaymen kicked off their Sky Bet League Two campaign with an emphatic 6-0 win over Morecambe.

The former Barnet striker – one of four summer signings made by the club – added to Charlie Kirk’s sixth-minute opener with a brace.

Midfielder James Jones scored two long-range strikes past a beleaguered Paddy Roche in the closing stages, while substitute Chris Porter also got in on the act with a late header.

Crewe were 2-0 up after 10 minutes. Determined work by Jordan Bowery teed up Paul Green, whose blocked shot fell for Kirk to fire into the roof of the net.

Kirk then crossed for the unmarked Nicholls to glance a header into the far corner for the second.

Rhys Oates went close for Morecambe with a looping header that veered wide and in the second half the striker forced a good save out of Dave Richards, who then kept out Vadaine Oliver’s follow-up.

But Crewe’s finishing was slicker as Nicholls demonstrated when he finished a four-man move with a sweet volley.

Oliver hit a post for Morecambe, who then conceded three times in the final 18  minutes.

Jones strode forward to bury a 25-yard shot into a bottom corner before Porter headed in the fifth at the far post

Jones then replicated his strike with another long-range effort in the last minute.