This Is Cheshire

Oh no, not again

From the Guardian Series, first published Thursday 27th Feb 2003.

Crewe Alex...0 Wigan...1

YET again Crewe were denied a chance to prove their championship metal against Wigan with Efe Sodje's early dismissal critical at the Alexandra Stadium on Tuesday night.

Title dreams look over now for Dario Gradi's men, Nathan Ellington's tap-in sent the Latics 12 points clear in Division Two and settled a highly-charged match, ruined by poor refereeing.

Alex fans know all about Eddie Wolstenhome, the man with a habit of sending off Crewe players struck again.

At least on their part, he's never welcome at the Alexandra Stadium.

The home side were desperate to mix it with Wigan on an even keel, denied them at the JJB with Richard Walker's ridiculous red card after just 9 minutes, last November.

But Sodje's reckless challenge on Lee McCulloch within seconds of the start deserved its booking and probably set the tone of the game.

Rob Hulse had the first chance, heading over a Lunt corner before Wigan enjoyed a sustained spell with only Liddell's snap shot to show for it, an easy save for Clayton Ince on 10 minutes.

The Alex looked lively on the break, Hulse combining well with Jack who struck a wicked cross-cum-shot that keeper John Filan tipped over the bar.

Challenges were still flying in as Teale received yellow for hacking down Jones while Jack again tormented the Wigan defence, a mazy run ended with a decent shot deflected wide for a corner.

Then disaster struck as Lunt took the set piece and both Sodje and sub Roberts went up for the corner, the latter fell to the floor.

It looked an accidental clash of heads, but Wolstenhome gave the Nigerian his marching orders on 19 minutes.

If there was any debate in that decision, there shouldn't have been with another two minutes later as Jackson took out Steve Jones in the area, a certain penalty that wasn't given

Down to 10-men, the odds were stacked against Crewe from then on.

Dinning saw his header crash against the bar and both he and Roberts had long-range efforts saved by Ince before the breakthrough came on 37 minutes.

Poor defending really, Roberts squared the ball for Ellington to steer home on the line.

Crewe took the early fight to their opponents after the break with Jack and Jones going close although they had Ince to thank for keeping the game alive, denying Bullard's opportunity from a free-kick on 51 minutes.

Wigan again rode their luck and should have been down to 10-men themselves soon after, Dinning's diabolical tackle had Jones stretchered off and crazily only reaped yellow.

The Alex gave them a real run for their money in the final 20 minutes with Jack always a threat but for all their passing, they lacked that decent final ball.

Ashton came off the bench in a last throw of the dice and almost saved the day when Filan dropped a long ball from Walton but couldn't reach the ball to provide the punishment.

Wigan are all but in Division One now and Crewe will be hoping to join them, next season.

Maybe then, they'll finally get a chance to prove who's best fair and square.

Crewe: Ince, Sodje, Vaughan, Walker, Walton, Sorvel, Bell (McCready 20, Ashton 81), Lunt, Jack, Hulse, Jones (Tierney 59).

Subs not used: Bankole, Morris. Attendance - 8,917.

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