15/03/2008 - Gillingham 0, Crewe Alex 3
Gwyn Griffiths reports from the Prestfield Stadium
Gillingham 0
Crewe Alex 3
(Pope 9, Maynard 49, Morgan 75)
Dean Morgan is convinced Crewe were helped on their way to a vital win at relegation rivals Gillingham by a perfectly-prepared pitch.
Gills boss Mark Stimson instructed his groundstaff to heavily water the Priestfield Stadium surface before the battle between the fifth-bottom and fourth-bottom sides in League One.
But his scheme backfired as Crewe rediscovered their passing game and opened up a potentially-decisive four-point gap between themselves and their opponents with a 3-0 win.
"I've always known Crewe to be a passing team, so to come on to a pitch like that was great for the boys," said Morgan. "It suited us down to the ground and I was surprised the pitch was like that.
"When the lads went on before kick-off, I told them it was a day to leave out the studs and get their moulded boots on.
"That was the sort of pitch everyone wants to play on. The best teams in the world play on wet pitches because it helps the ball move."
The Luton striker completed the scoring with his first goal since arriving at the Alexandra Stadium on loan.
It was his 25th goal of an eight-year senior career, and the striker admitted: "Every goal is a bonus as my scoring record isn't brilliant. To be involved in all three goals was nice for me.
"This league is unpredictable and taking your chances is the difference between winning and losing.
"All the boys were devastated about losing 2-0 to their local rivals, but after that there's no reason why we can't stay up.
"There's enough ability in this side.
"We started well and finished well and that was the difference."
Alex coach Steve Holland is delighted how his side have strung together a run of form on their travels.
Crewe are unbeaten in their last four away games, two of which they have won.
"We looked a decent team and our away form is actually seeing us through at the moment - and the away support deserve that as they have had a barren season," said Holland.
"In the last four away games we've given them good value.
"I'm really pleased the players responded in the manner they did. But we need to make sure we finish ahead of Gillingham and maybe try to claw one or two others back as well."
Chris McCready, who missed the game with a hamstring injury, is receiving treatment, but will be a doubt for Saturday's home clash with Hartlepool.
But Holland added: "Danny (Woodards) came in and he has done that job before.
"With the squad being thinner this season, if two of the centre-halves are injured it can leave us short there. But I thought Danny was immense."
MATCH STATS
Goal attempts: Gillingham 11 (2 on target), Crewe 12 (7 on target)
Referee: Phil Joslin (Notts) 6
Cards: Yellow – Gillingham: None. Crewe: None. Red – Gillingham: Maher 57 (violent conduct). Crewe: None.
Entertainment: 7
Attendance: 4,956
PLAYER RATINGS
WILLIAMS: Produced a great stop to keep out second-half header from Crofts. 7
ABBEY: Cool and composed on the ball. 7
BOYLE: Got forward well to support the attack. 7
WOODARDS: Kept a careful eye on Mulligan in emergency central role. 7
O’DONNELL: Much improved on last Tuesday, saw off Delroy Facey. 8
LUNT: Offered some craft and guile in the middle. 7
O’CONNOR: Another who improved massively on his Vale display. 7
ROBERTS: Energetic and determined, made the difference in the middle. 8
MORGAN: Took his goal with aplomb. 7
MAYNARD: Missed a juicy chance in the first half, but showed great instinct for decisive second-half strike. 8
POPE: Tremendous work-rate rewarded with goal. Man of the match. 8
SUBSTITUTES
LOWE (for Morgan, 85): Replaced the tiring Morgan.
ANYINSAH (for Maynard, 88): Ditto Maynard.
Not used: Moore, Schumacher, Fon Williams.
GILLINGHAM: 12 Royce, 38 Fuller, 35 Nutter, 5 King, 31 Bygrave, 27 Maher, 8 Bentley (28 Oli, 64), 7 Crofts, 36 Miller, 9 Mulligan (20 Jackson, 81), 10 Facey (30 Griffiths, 64).
Not used: 22 Stillie, 19 Clohessy.