Crewe boss Lee Bell enjoys seeing his side ease past Walsall

Posted Sunday, April 16, 2023 by PA

Crewe boss Lee Bell praised his players for putting a heavy Easter defeat behind them with a professional display to see off 10-man Walsall 2-0.

The Railwaymen nudged past the 50-point mark by completing their third win in the last four games and their third consecutive success at home.

Bell made six changes to the side who were on the end of a 4-0 thumping at Colchester and two of the incoming players, Rod McDonald and Chris Long, were on the mark in the first half.

Youngster Charlie Finney was also an impressive performer at left-back on his league debut after being recalled from a loan spell at Chorley.

Walsall’s hopes of a second-half revival were dashed when substitute Joss Labadie was red carded for picking up a second booking. Assistant boss Wayne Hatswell was also sent to the stands by referee Carl Boyeson for protesting the midfielder’s dismissal.

Bell said: “It was a thoroughly professional performance and as poor as we were in certain areas on Monday we were excellent today. We need to win more games at home going forward so I was pleased for the players as they responded well to the setback.

“I was pleased with our set-plays. The first goal started from a throw-in and resulted in us getting a free-kick – it was a great delivery and a super header from Rod who has been outstanding for us this season.

“The second one came from a throw-in too and it is pleasing that we had the confidence to get on the ball there and play some football to create the chance. The only negative is that we didn’t put our foot down and get more goals.”

“We thought it was time to give Charlie a go after being out on loan. He has got some quality and while I’d like him to play higher up the pitch he enjoys playing at left-back.”

Crewe were quickly into their stride and McDonald powerfully headed Callum Ainley’s free kick into the bottom corner. Long doubled the lead with a shot which took a deflection off Joe Low and hit the far corner.

Dan Agyei and Finney went close to adding to the lead in the first half, while Joel Tabiner drove over and substitute Lachlan Brook was denied by keeper Owen Evans after the break.

A surging run from Tom Knowles ended with a disappointing finish, dragged wide of the far post as Walsall’s poor run continued.

Saddlers’ boss Mike Flynn stressed he wanted his players to still aim for a top-half finish.

“We started poorly and I’m glad we stuck together in the second half as at one point I thought it could be four or five,” said Flynn.

“I’ve had both my skippers sent off in the last two games, so everything that could go wrong is going wrong and our discipline needs to improve. I thought Joss’s second yellow card was very harsh.

“I’d brought him on as I wanted something different and more attacking-minded, something to get us up the pitch. It’s frustrating and it needs to improve. Our defending killed us for both of the goals and Donervon Daniels is a huge miss for us at the back, although Joe Low shouldn’t be getting outjumped like that.

“Our goal is to finish in the top half and frustrating as it is that would make it a better season for Walsall in League Two than the last couple of years.”