Crewe Alexandra 0
Brentford 0
Football League (Division Four)

Manager's Programme Notes

CREWE LOST THE ART OF SCORING
Crewe Alexandra 0, Brentford 0.

CREWE'S temporary loss of the vital technique of scoring goals cost them certain victory in their crucial re-election zone skirmish against companions-in-distress, Brentford, at Gresty Road on Saturday (Writes Roy Greer).

Crewe's display was full of aggression, sheer hard work and non-stop running.

They monopolised play almost throughout, created a string of chances in both halves and spurned them all. A winning margin of four or five goals would not have flattered.

Their failure to score highlighted their current problem, for Crewe have managed only a poverty-line four goals in their last eight games, after banging in eight in their previous four.

It anything. Crewe's scoring decline Is becoming even more acute, for they have netted only once in their last four matches and that was a penalty. Chances are being created, but the goals have dried up, and the sooner they get back towards a reasonable ratio, the healthier their prospects of banishing fears that they could have to seek readmission for the third time in successive campaigns.

Not justice

Crewe simply didn't do themselves any Justice, for in every other aspect their performance against Brentford was encouragingly efficient, especially in view of the absence of three key players through injury.

No one did better than Albert Kinsey, recalled from a spell on loan to Wigan Athletic because of Alexandras Injury crisis. He was the sharpest forward on the Park and has never been seen to better effect In Crewe colours.

Brentford goalkeeper, Paul Priddy, made some outstanding saves early on from the Industrious Ray Lug,g and Kinsey, and showed smart anticipation to keep out another effort from Chris Duffey. But Duffey and Hugh Riley both scorned glorious chances, putting the ball wide when scoring seemed a formality.

Kinsey and Lugg deserved better luck with darting efforts in the second half, which missed the target by a whisker, but there was no excuse for lapses by Riley and John Rowlands when they were perfectly positioned to score.

Crewe's careless ways before goal gained reprieve after reprieve for their overworked visitors and piled on the frustration for the smallest Gresty Road gallery of the season - 1,380.

A fright

Brentford seldom threatened, but gave Crewe a fright when Barry Salvage capitalised on some uncharacteristic slackness by an otherwise solid defence and surged through on the left to power a shot against the post.

For the most part, the visitors defended resolutely and the efforts of both teams in appalling conditions (there were gale-force winds in the first half, while a downpour after the break left the middle of the field a swamp) deserved highest commendation.

Alex: Parker; Kelley, Stephens; Peat, Nicholls, Bennett; Lugg, Kinsey, Rowlands (Sub. 70 minutes, Humphreys), Riley, Duffey.

Brentford: Priddy; Hence, Scales; Riddick, Gelson, Nelmes; Graham, Cross, Woon, Metchick (Sub. 74 minutes, Allen), Salvage.

(Referee: Mr. M. Lowe, Sheffield.