Crewe 8-1 Cheltenham: Match Report

02 April 2011 18:04
Great eight in Robins rout Clayton Donaldson and Joel Grant both scored hat-tricks as Crewe thrashed Cheltenham 8-1. Crewe boss Dario Gradi missed Crewe's first win in four games after leaving the ground with a throat infection before kick-off. Assistant boss Steve Davis took the reins and the visitors found themselves 4-0 down after just 37 minutes. Donaldson beat the offside trap to pick up Shaun Miller's through-ball and open the scoring with four minutes gone. Seven minutes later Miller beat goalkeeper Scott Brown to Danny Shelley's pass and rolled a simple finish into the empty net. Donaldson turned home Shelley's pinpoint 33rd-minute cross and then Joel Grant made it 4-0 four minutes later after goalkeeper Rhys Taylor`s long ball put the forward clean through. The visitors mustered a couple of half chances in response but Brian Smikle`s volley was blocked and Danny Andrew blasted over after a good move. Wesley Thomas gave the Robins hope when he finished at the near post five minutes after the break. But Ashley R Westwood restored Crewe's four-goal advantage when he sidefooted in Matt Tootle's low cross. Donaldson completed his hat-trick from the spot when Steve Elliott was penalised for handling in the box before Grant got his second, tucking home the rebound after Brown saved his initial shot. Grant also claimed his hat-trick with a penalty with three minutes to go when Andy Gallinagh tripped Donaldson in the area.

Crewe 8-1 Cheltenham: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game as it happened.

Source: DSG