CREWE notched one of the best results in their history on Saturday by beating league leaders and champions Barnton on their own patch.
Goals in each half from Steve Parker and Dave Hanson gave Crewe notable 2-0 victory and marked a turning point for manager Ian O'Reilly.
'We've never beaten Barnton before and I think there was always a bit of a fear factor whenever we played them because they have dominated the Mid-Cheshire League for so many seasons.
'But we drew with them twice last season and we showed we could compete. It wasn't a smash-and-grab victory. We were on top for most of the game and I thought we thor-oughly deserved the points.
'It was great for me personally as well as I have never managed a team that has won at Barnton before. I've beaten them in a cup final but never at Townfield Lane.' Wide men Danny Massey and Parker were the key to the success.
O'Reilly said: 'Barnton have a lot of joy by getting the ball out wide but Danny and Steve worked up and down, started a lot of good passing moves and also stopped their players getting forward.'
Crewe took the lead in the 15th minute when Massey fed Parker, who drilled home a low drive from an acute angle.
Barnton had a strong 10-minute spell when they hit the bar but they could not find a way past Crewe's 18-year-old goalkeeper Danny Read.
'Danny has played in five matches for our first team now and kept five clean sheets,' said O'Reilly. 'Our regular keeper Steve Harding has been playing with a knock and so I agreed with Steve we'd give him a rest, and Danny has done really well.' Dave Hanson and Lee Westwood missed chances to put Crewe further in front before Hanson latched on to Martin Caldwell's throughball, held off one challenge and slotted home.
O'Reilly said: 'There have been more and more fans coming to watch us and there were about 50 from Crewe. It was a great feeling to see them jumping up and down when that second one went in.
'I think this result shows how far we've come in a very short time. The lads are made up and I'm delighted for them.'
Crewe could still finish in the top five which would represent their best-ever finish in Division One of the Mid-Cheshire League. They host Styal at the Cumberland Arena on Saturday (3pm).
Crewe's Reserves entertain Middlewich Town Reserves tonight (6.30pm).
