Lee Bell full of praise as Crewe claim comeback win to defeat Forest Green

Posted Sunday, September 10, 2023 by PA

Manager Lee Bell was full of praise as Crewe recorded successive League Two wins as they fought from a goal down to clinch a convincing 4-1 away victory over Forest Green.

Goals from Chris Long, Elliot Nevitt and a double from Courtney Baker-Richardson saw the Railwaymen take home all three points from a fine second-half display.

Reece Brown opened the scoring for Forest Green but Alex turned on the style after the break to record a comfortable win.

Bell said: “Our away form over 18 months has been horrific and it’s something we’ve looked at.

“It’s back-to-back wins so I can’t praise the players enough. A really good afternoon so I’ll enjoy it tonight.”

A neat one-two between Troy Deeney and Kyle McAllister saw the latter cross low for Matty Taylor who squandered a golden opportunity early on.

Aaron Rowe’s pinpoint cross found Courtney Baker-Richardson unmarked six yards out but his header crashed against the crossbar before the forward man fired over the rebound.

Reece Welch was denied at point-black range following a corner but Brown took full advantage as he slammed home the loose ball after 35 minutes.

Baker-Richardson powered home a Joel Tabiner corner directed towards the near post, just past the hour mark.

Crewe’s number nine added a third – eight minutes later – as he hammered home a right-footed effort from the edge of the area after Rovers failed to clear.

Long drove to the byline and delivered a low cross for substitute Nevitt to tap home a fourth for the rampant visitors.

Bell added: “The scoreline flattered them going into half-time. We could’ve had two or three goals.

“They took the messages at half-time. We moved a couple of things around so all the credit should go to the players and the staff today.

“It’s really pleasing that they’re getting the opportunities more freely this season. The forwards don’t just score goals, they work hard without the ball.

“I don’t think they could handle Courtney (Baker-Richardson) in the air and (Elliot) Nevitt came on and they couldn’t handle him either.

“These results won’t come if they aren’t willing to work hard during the week and try to emulate that performance again.”

Frustrated Forest Green boss David Horseman said: “Our fans don’t deserve anything like what they witnessed today.

“The manner of the goals we conceded were extremely poor and we really lacked quality today. We’ve made strides but today is a big reality check for sure.

“It’s probably now the time you’re thinking that you can see what happened last season. There is an underlying soft culture, you can see the goal, it’s our fault then suddenly we fold completely.”