HOCKEY: CREWE Vagrants offered Northop Hall little Christmas cheer as they cruised to a 4-1 victory.
The mid-season friendly was taken seriously by the on-form Vagrants as they produced a cohesive, disciplined display. In a lively, end-to-end opening, both sides threatened and Nick Marshall was inches wide on six minutes.
Tim Alexander looked sharp as Crewe grew in confidence and territorial superiority, and he gave his side the lead on 21 minutes.
Solid defence from Marshall, Paddy Leese and Paul Lambsdale neutralised Northop's advances and kept it at 1-0 until the interval.
Alexander made it 2-0 shortly after the break after good work from Gary Roberts, and the game was over as a contest when Steve Bourne touched in from Dave Holland's cross to take the score to 3-0.
Alexander completed his hat-trick from another Holland cross to make it 4-0 as Crewe continued to press home the advantage.
As the game approached the final whistle, the visitors managed to get forward for a consolation goal but it was too little too late.
Crewe seconds are wishing there was no Christmas break as their upturn in form continued with a 5-2 friendly win over Northop.
A hat-trick from Rob Jepson and singles from Henry Weir and Andrew Ticehurst sealed the win.
Jepson said: 'We had a mixed team as the firsts had borrowed some of our players and we borrowed some third-team players.
'But it was a good performance and another confidence booster. It is a shame we have to stop for a while but we will be back in action against Neston South Wirral seconds on January 8.
The friendly between Vagrants thirds and Northop Hall was cancelled.
The Ladies seconds were beaten 6-0 by Deeside Ramblers seconds in their Cheshire Cup match.
