Grassroots football: Crewe FC management team step down

By Gwyn Griffiths

22nd Nov 2021 | Local Sport

CREWE FC are seeking new direction after the joint management team of Liam O'Reilly and Lee Degnen stepped down at the weekend.

The duo had been in charge together since the start of the season. The Cumberland Arena club have struggled to build momentum having played only 10 games of their Cheshire League Premier Division programme, three of which have been won.

They currently lie in 15th place.

A club statement said: "Managers Liam O'Reilly and Lee Degnen have stepped down from first team responsibilities with immediate effect.

"The club will be looking to appoint a new management team in due course and would like to place on record our appreciation for the time, effort and commitment given [by both] to their roles while in post. Everyone at Crewe FC would like to wish them both all the very best for the future."

In the CREWE REGIONAL SUNDAY LEAGUE leaders Betley had to come from behind to secure a draw against bottom club Raven Salvador

The Premier Division clash didn't turn out as expected with the game finishing 2-2. Raven led 2-0 at the break with goals from Josh Wynne and Robsan Osman.

Second-half efforts from Gareth Ratcliffe and Danny Lavalette rescued Betley from a shock defeat and club Secretary Andy Slaney acknowledged that Raven Salvador deserved a draw, for what he described as a "battling performance".

The most eventful game of the day was at Wheelock, where home side Cheshire Cheese led The Lions on four occasions, only to eventually go down to a 6-4 defeat. It was the second time in two weeks that The Lions had come from behind by the same margin and again the winning goals came late in the game.

Scorers for the home side were Aaron Davies (2) and Charlie Maines (2). For The Lions, Lewis Clark scored twice, with further goals coming from Danny May, Jordan Amson, Shannon Sinnott and 49-year-old defender Nick Butterworth.

Talbot beat Willaston White Star 3-2 thanks to goals from Liam Whittaker (2) and Ryan Moss. Dan Lomas and Azharul Haque netted for Willaston.

The lack of a referee meant that the NHB v Broadhurst FC game was postponed.

There were two games in Division One. Sandbach Town are having a very solid season, but they were only level at 1-1 at half time in the game against White Horse. However, things changed in the second half, and a late burst of goals saw them ease to a 7-1 win.

Lewis Barker scored a hat-trick for Sandbach Town and Henry Baker (2), Alex Fitton and Lewis Renshaw completed the tally.

The result put Sandbach in joint top spot, although they have played a game more than Audlem.

Leighton FC had a comfortable 5-0 win at JS Bailey thanks to goals from Nathan Schofield (2), Dewi Lewis (pen), Josh Clark and Greg Gill.

In the Crewe FA Sunday Vase Cooper Buckley won 3-2 at Division One leaders Audlem with Callum Hood, Ashley Edwards and Matt King on target.

C & N Utd were hammered (5-2) by Vale Hoppers from Congleton, Ruskin Park went down (2-3) to Princes Feathers and Winsford Over 3 beat Nantwich Pirates 5-1.

AFC Crewe beat Crewe Wanderers 2-1 in Saturday tournament the CREWE DISTRICT FA JUNIOR SHIELD with goals from Danny Williams and Rhys Potter.

FC Bollington beat Sandbach Town 4-0 and Crewe FC Reserved beat Crewe Town in a penalty shootout (3-1) after a brave effort from the Crewe and District League side to hold Cheshire League Crewe FC to a 3-3 draw.

In the Sandbach derby Curshaws edged their encounter Sandbach Town Ramblers 1-0 with Lee Mellor on the mark.

Results

Crewe FA Sunday Vase

Winsford Over 3 5, Nantwich Pirates 1

Audlem 2, Cooper Buckley 3

C & N Utd 2, Vale Hoppers 5

Ruskin Park 2, Princes Feathers 3 Crewe Regional Sunday League

Premier Division

Betley 2, Raven Salvador 2

George & Dragon P:P Faddiley

NHB FC P:P Broadhurst FC

Talbot 3, Willaston White Star 2