CITY 4 CREWE ALEXANDRA 0
Nationwide League Division 1
8th April 2000
Attendance: 32,433
Scorers Prior(42), Dickov(68 & 90), Kennedy(86)
City Weaver, Edghill, Prior, Jobson, Tiatto, Jeff Whitley, Wiekens, Horlock, Kennedy, Dickov, Goater – subx Bishop(80), Pollock(unused), Mills(unused), Granville(unused), Wright(unused)
Crewe Kearton, D. Wright, S. Wright, Macauley, S. Smith, Lunt, Sorvel, Street, Rivers, Jack, Cramb – subs Lightfoot(unused), Collins(unused), Tait(unused), Little(unused), Ince(unused)
Spencer Prior scores his first goal for City
The Blues dominated the first half, although Dario Gradi’s side made it very difficult for City to capitalise on their possession. Time after time City’s attacks failed either through poor finishing; good defensive work by goalkeeper Jason Kearton; or simply bad luck – Paul Dickov saw one effort crash against the underside of the cross bar. Nevertheless, after 42 minutes City’s domination was rewarded when Richard Jobson headed back towards goal from a corner, and new boy Spencer Prior nodded the ball home.
The Blues appeared a little apprehensive during the opening quarter of the second half, however a quickly taken free kick reached Kevin Horlock who crossed to Dickov. He didn’t connect cleanly, but managed enough force to send it into the net to give the Blues a 2-0 lead. Despite further chances the score remained until four minutes from time when Mark Kennedy curled a shot into the corner to make it 3-0. In the final minute Dickov netted his second from the edge of the six yard box. It was a great scoreline but the Blues had missed rather too many opportunities. According to manager Joe Royle: “We had 27 attempts on goal and could quite easily have notched double figures. We were terrific today, as fluent as we have been for a long time.” FROM AN ARTICLE BY GARY JAMES IN THE CITY PROGRAMME 25TH AUGUST 2001
