Another day, another defeat as Crewe Alexandra, who hadn’t previously won away this calendar year, strolled off with three easy points. The damage was done in a six-minute spell in a first half controlled by the visitors.
On 31 minutes Rovers failed to deal with a low cross and Courtney Baker-Richardson slotted home from close range. Six minutes later Baker-Richardson headed down a corner for Connor O’Riordan to nod over the line. Rovers response was a shot by Kyle Hurst easily saved by James Beadle and the players once again trudged off at the break to a chorus of disapproval from the home crowd.
Danny Schofield, under fire for his predictable tactical approach, rolled the dice at half time. On came midfielder Zain Westbrooke and Under-18s top scorer Jack Goodman. Both made an improvement, though sadly not enough to produce a comeback. Westbrooke’s fierce shot midway through the half was blocked by a Crewe defence determined to hold on to their lead. Goodman also fizzed a shot into the side-netting, and yet again this season a Rovers centre-forward was let down by lack of support.
More boos cascaded from the stands at the final whistle, at least from those who had not already voted with their feet. It would be easy to say this is typical end-of-season fare from a team who will be playing in the same division next season, but that’s really not acceptable, and it’s playing into an already toxic culture. It needs to be addressed now.
by John Coyle
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