Crewe Alexandra vs Chesterfield. Sky Bet League Two.
Mornflake StadiumAttendance5,626.
Saturday 17 August 2024 19:23, UK
Chesterfield's three-goal blitz inside the opening 12 minutes set them on the way to a stunning 5-0 League Two win at Crewe.
The Spireites conjured a powerful attacking display with James Berry netting twice, and Will Grigg and skipper Tom Naylor punishing the hosts' tame defending at two corners before the break.
Armando Dobra added a fifth in the second half as Chesterfield registered their first success of the campaign.
The visitors were on the mark after just 32 seconds when Berry chipped an audacious effort over the head of Crewe goalkeeper Filip Marschall from 20 yards.
Grigg doubled the lead when he touched Naylor's flick-on from Dilan Markanday's delivery at a short corner.
And a minute later Paul Cook's team cut through the home side with ease for the third time, with Berry side-footing a far-post finish from Grigg's cross.
Grigg should have added a fourth but Marschall was off his line to make the save.
Yet Chesterfield were not to be denied and Naylor was free to apply a flicked header at a set-piece in the 28th minute.
Crewe almost cut the arrears through Kane Hemmings' close-range flick, but keeper Ryan Boot got a hand to tip over.
The visitors showed no let up after the restart and Dobra surged clear from Lewis Gordon's pass to tuck a neat finish into the far corner across Marschall.
There could have been more goals for Cook's men, with Ollie Banks firing past the post and Berry's searing drive tipped over by Marschall.
Crewe substitute Max Conway went close to a consolation but his far-post header was pushed over by Boot.
