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Biddulph Review
WHILE the majority of Alex fans took the annual trip to Quorn, the media took the quicker option of Biddulph.
Who got the better deal?
While those of ASi membership were probably lauding it with a variety of free beers and food, us of the honoured few decided to muck it out just over the border in Staffordshire.
Yep, McGarry, Andrews and Griffiths were present along with the man-of-the-moment Nicky Maynard sitting in the stands, miles away from the potential future partnership of Zola and Johnson.
So maybe, the contrast from like, say Varney to Pope.
And Biddulph's favourite son was among the performers in a one-sided 5-0 win over the Midland Alliance side.
I've seen worse friendlies and performances over the years.
People are quick to dismiss convincing wins as meaningless but let's face it, it's better than losing.
No test for Steve Collis, he really had nothing to do apart from pick up the ball a couple of times.
However a good work out for the remainder as Sgt Neil Baker took charge of proceedings.
Both Pope and a much stockier Shaun Miller were the main highlights of the first 10 minutes while good news filtered through regarding Zola and O'Connor.
Julien Baudet was a real aerial threat, rising high to provide the assist for Tom Pope's powerful finish from the edge of the box after 20.
While the men of Rivals would have been seething over Rix in the first-half and Schumacher a rare sight on the ball, Mark Carrington and Byron Moore were providing consolation from width.
Miller needs to be converting the chances he received, rattling the post from one with a bullet header.
Eddie Johnson's first sparked some interest before attention returned to the Biddulph pitch and McCready bundling home the ball after more good work in the air from Baudet.
After a decent pint in the Biddulph club, next door to some old dears enjoying line-dancing, everyone return to the white one where Crewe picked up dominance.
And it was dominance.
Johnson's second was a cat among the pigeons for sure before Pope poached a third on the hour.
It was a surprise to see the Biddulph woodwork still standing, both Miller and Moore rattled it before two in two minutes.
Sub Colin Daniel showed plenty of tricks but needs to deliver the final ball if he's going to cut the mustard.
He volleyed home the fourth before Miller finally hit the target with a rapid fifth on 78 minutes.
Both went close to adding more damage, Miller only denied by a stunning save from the big home keeper.
Nothing of note from the trialists but James Bailey was really the pick of the bunch, not putting a foot wrong in an unorthodox left-back role.
In contrast to what has been said at Quorn, there was no let up from this Crewe side and that good to see.
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