Game Thirty Two - Crewe Home

25 November 2008

Leicester City v Crewe Alexandra. Top v Bottom. Surley this had all the makings of a comfortable victory and a chance to send a message out to the rest of the league that we're at the top of the league and intend to stay there until otherwise informed..... erm.... no.

A standard build up to the nights game saw me arrive at the stadium not long before kick off to meet the old man, complain about the freezing cold weather and cough my guts up with the effects of Saturdays flu still sitting heavy on my chest. A night in a cold stadium without any atmosphere and an away contingent that actually could have come in a taxi did not fill me with optimism that this would be a night to remember.

A bright start from the boys in blue saw Andy King coming close with an effort after good build up play Oakley and the rest of the midfield. With a quater of an hour gone though, the breakthrough came when good wing play from Mattock and Dyer resulted in the ball being pulled back from the byline to Matty Fryatt. One touch to control, one to shimmy past the defender and a third to curl it into the top corner made sure that the inform striker kept up his goal scoring form.

City continued to press though and for once it looked like maybe we would be in for an easy ride of things tonight and that the table wouldn't lie. Fryatt and DJ Campbell both saw efforts saved before a pin point cross was headed goalwards by Matt Oakley only for the keeper to turn it over with his fingertips. It seemed only a matter of time before the net was bulging again and so it turned out to be the case.... but at the wrong end. In a moment of madness, DJ Cambell didn't clear a corner and instead lost the ball to Calvin Zola who smashed a low shot past the keeper. Martin would no doubt be disappointed to have been beaten at his near post but he more than redeemed himself in first half stoppage time.

A hopeful long ball was punted forward which was just over the Tunchev leaving Zola through on goal but his shot was saved by Martin's out stretched leg leaving us all breathing a sigh of relief.

At the sound of the half time whistle, I headed down to the concourse to see Katy and to see if the lucky Athletico Madrid / Leicester scarf could make it three wins from three. The usual random chatter and hugs and we were back on for the second 45 minutes.

The second half was a rather quiet and lacklustre affair and neither side seemed keep on risking losing it by pushing forward. For all our possession and passing the ball around, the Crewe goal remained mainly unthreatened. Pearson threw on Gradel and Howard in an attempt to gain the victory and it was from Gradel's corner that the goal finally came. A high looping corner was lofted into the mix and Andy King was there to head the ball home for his second winning goal in the space of 4 days. He's becomming a real find this season and seems to have a knack for popping up in the right place at the right time.

And that was pretty much that. There were no further real chances for either side and we just saw out the match much to the relief of the players, fans and staff.

This was the type of game that we normally would have lost and so it's quite encouraging to see that these little quirks seem to be getting ironed out. Also it's nice to be seeing us win at the Walkers again after all those years of misery on our own turf. With two further home games in a row, it's a chance to progress in the FA Cup and try to forge a gap from the team in third. With the busy time of year coming up, it's vital that we go into the period with some kind of form behind us.

Busy week next week for matches. 2 home games and random trips to Anfield and a return to the City of Manchester stadium. Happy days!