HOCKEY: CREWE made the perfect start to their North Hockey League Division Two West season at Formby on Saturday.
An Andrew Ashworth double and a Simon Trenbirth strike on his debut sealed a 3-1 success for a Vagrants side featuring several new first team players.
Ashworth signalled his intentions by going close with two efforts early on, and Trenbirth, Rob Jepson and Henry Weir also threatened as Vagrants seized the initiative.
Dave Holland's thunderous drive from a corner was blocked on the line, and good forward runs from Capper and Gary Roberts slowly eroded Formby's defences.
The pressure told on 29 minutes when Trenbirth pounced on a loose ball and netted from close range to put Crewe deservedly 1-0 up.
It was the only goal of the first half, but Formby wasted no time to level matters six minutes after the restart with an angled drive from a short corner.
The game had been sparked into life and it took Crewe just four minutes to get back in front, Ashworth pouncing after Capper had seen his shot well blocked.
Paddy Leese and Phil Morant looked assured at the back, and Jon Wood-hart was twice called upon to make interceptions and keep the hosts at bay.
Keeper Graham Coombs made three heroic stops in quick succession from two short corners, allowing Ashworth to seal the win with a crashing drive.
Meanwhile, Crewe seconds lost 4-0 at Carlisle and the thirds were crushed 3-0 by City of Manchester. The fourth team recorded a 2-1 win over South Cheshire fourths, with second half strikes from Dave Watson and Jonathan Pinkney.
Crewe Ladies seconds beat Whit-church 2-0, but the thirds lost 4-1 to Brooklands.
