Artell delighted as blend of youth and experience sends Crewe top

Posted Sunday, October 13, 2019 by PA

Crewe manager David Artell praised his mix of youth and experience after they survived a Carlisle fightback to claim three points that send them top of Sky Bet League Two.

The visitors looked comfortable after Nicky Hunt and Daniel Powell fired them into a 2-0 lead.

However, Carlisle battled back to draw level in a thrilling second half, when Hallam Hope and Christie Elliott were on target, only for Alex to have the final say with Chris Porter’s strike and a Gethin Jones own goal.

“We found a way, whereas we might not have been able to do (that) last season,” said Artell. “The players showed steel and resilience.”

Artell has assembled a team containing a healthy number of youngsters who have come up through the Alex academy and he added: “I see myself as a teacher and facilitator and a career builder.

“It feels good to be top. Better top than bottom, that’s for sure.

“It’s great for the lads. Some of the older lads haven’t been top of the table before. There’s no pressure being top, you just have to keep on playing well.”

Crewe’s early pressure was rewarded with a seventh-minute goal after Tom Lowery’s free-kick from wide on the right caught the Carlisle defence napping.
Byron Webster was unable to deal with an awkward bounce and Hunt pounced to steer the ball home from six yards.

Crewe doubled their lead when a lightning break gave Powell the chance to race away and he arrowed a superb 18-yard shot across Adam Collin and into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Carlisle needed something positive to raise their spirits and it came in the 59th minute, when substitute Stefan Scougall’s run gave Jack Iredale the opportunity to send in a low cross which Hope was able to slide home from close range.

Iredale was again the provider when Carlisle equalised five minutes later. His cross found its way to Elliott, who volleyed past Dave Richards from six yards.

Alex regained the lead in the 78th minute, when James Jones made a quick impact from the bench, whipping over a cross that Porter forced home for his sixth strike of the season.

And Crewe settled a fluctuating contest in the 85th minute, when a cross from Perry Ng looped into the net via a deflection off Gethin Jones.

Carlisle manager Steven Pressley remained upbeat despite the result, saying: “It will take time, perseverance and character. The fans can vent their anger at me. I accept the responsibility, but this group of players will in time come up with the answers.

“We were a yard short and not aggressive enough in pressing. I didn’t change any tactics, we were just more aggressive in the press after half-time and I’m disappointed we didn’t go on to win it.”