Harrogate Town 1-2 Crewe Alex 25-26 Review - From Behind

I've not enjoyed a win like that in a long long time. It's the first time in a long time I've seen the Alex batter a team, frustrate with their finishing only to then pop up with a superb winner in the manner they did. It was a largely infuriating night where they did everything right except in the oppositions box, but they got what they deserved with a Max Sanders beauty to win back to back games and end the night sat in 5th in the table. Here is my review of their victory over Harrogate:

Concerns

I'll start with the negatives, and there were a few. The opening goal was a terrible one to concede. A quick counter attack, another cross into the box not stopped and Hutchinson asleep at the far post to allow Muldoon free to nod in. It extends their non-clean sheet run to 8 games and it's a worry.

The Matus Holicek injury is also a big issue. He seemed dejected when he came off and you have to wonder if it was a recurrence of the issue which saw him miss most of the pre-season. How long will he be out I wonder?

And finally, the lack of open play threat is still something that needs improving. Their 0.81 xG tonight was good, but they passed up numerous opportunities to find the net earlier than they did. And more often than they did. This game was a step in the right direction, but more work is needed in this area.

From Behind

Now the positives. After such a poor start, you feared the writing was on the wall. But after questioning their mental strength after dismal defeats against Barnet and Barrow, they responded well to the set back of the equaliser last week by winning the game late on.

Then they came from behind tonight to pick up their first 3 points from a losing position since Carlisle on New Years Day. Given how poor they have been when trailing in 2025, this win was badly needed and will hopefully give them a massive shot in the arm.

Colonel Sanders

Look, Sanders is what he is. He's not going to put up double figure goal contributions. He's not even going to be that shield in front of the back 4. But what he can do is pass the ball. He was excellent tonight in keeping the play ticking along, constantly picking up the ball and looking to make things happen.

But then, with 4 minutes to go, he more than made up for his penalty miss against Barnet with a sublime effort from 25 yards out which flew in via a slight deflection to give the Alex all 3 points. He seems to want to get more involved in attacks this season and if he can keep producing moments like his stunner tonight, I'm here for it.

Set Pieces

I'm concerned about the lack of a threat from open play, but they seem to be getting back to their 23-24 best at set pieces. After scoring from a corner against Notts County last week, they netted from another tonight. This one was a well worked low cross into the box which Hutchinson dinked coolly into the far corner for this 3rd of the season. That makes it 2 from 2 and if they can find more goals from set pieces, it'll go some way to alleviating their open play issues.

Dominant

The way they won was also pleasing. They battered Harrogate and whilst the stats don't show just how dominant they were, the eye test told the full story. This was the Crewe of the opening 4 games, attacking issues aside. Energetic, forward thinking, looking full of confidence once again.

They controlled the possession, they controlled the territory and they should have won by more than 1. They'll face tougher tests than Harrogate for sure, but I just hope they keep their newly discovered swagger going in the coming weeks, especially with tough tests in MK Dons and Grimsby on the horizon.

Ref Assessment

Atrocious was the replacement, Mr Elliot Bell. He missed 3 penalties, one on Golding, a tug on March, a handball on Faulkner which he hilariously gave as a foul by O'Reilly, an ankle breaker on Lunt. And that's not even mentioning the 50-50s he consistently got wrong. Abysmal.

Management Assessment

They needed this result, especially with all the Alex fans watching on at home. But they got their rewards once again for throwing on positive subs and for letting the team keep attacking and not settling on the point, which you feel they would have done last season. They can enjoy their win and trip home.

Player Assessments

Tom Booth

It's micro-criticism, but could he have done better with Muldoon's goal? It's right down the middle after all. Probably not. He was fine otherwise and had little to do for the most part.

Lewis Billington

Given license to get forward, but I find myself coming up with the same review every week. A rock solid defender, but I would rather see what Mingi has to offer going forward.

James Golding

Another rock solid CB display as he snapped into challenges. Touch wood he feels more reliable than Connolly.

Mickey Demetriou

Another strong display, both him and Golding will be severely tested by Bromley on Saturday.

Reece Hutchinson

Sleeping for the opening goal, but redeemed himself with his 3rd of the season and a strong display for the rest of the game.

Max Sanders MOTM

A superb outing. He was everywhere in midfield and opened his account for the Alex in outstanding style.

Conor Thomas

I get what fans say he brings, but 13 touches in an hour of play? From one of your 2 man midfield? Is that really enough? Not for me it's not.

Tommi O'Reilly

He got an assist on Hutchinson's goal, which hopefully will do wonders for his confidence, as he'd been lacking end product in recent weeks.

Matus Holicek

A worrying sight to see him with his shirt over his face on the bench. You fear he could be out for some time.

Calum Agius

I don't want to keep battering the lad, but he's just not a factor in games. This FotMob stat summed up his evening: he had the fewest touches of any outfield player to play 90 minutes tonight. Hopefully his 2nd Wales U21 call up will help refresh and reset him.

Josh March

Worked hard, but couldn't find that goal he clearly so desperately wanted. Came close on a couple of occasions, which was pleasing to see.

Subs:

Jack Lankester

Thrust in sooner than he would have expected, he gets the assist on Sander's goal. Already on the stats sheet and he's not started a game or gotten match fit yet. If he stays fit, L2 better watch out. Him being back to his best could be a game changer for the Alex's season.

Owen Lunt

Was a little slow to pick up the pace of the game, but once he did he got stuck in well.

Emre Tezgel

Didn't have much chance to do anything in the 15 minutes he was on, although he was unlucky to see his close range shot cleared off the line.

Overall Verdict

It's a huge 3 points. Yes, Harrogate were limited, but teams like Grimsby and Gillingham have stumbled against them, so any win is gratefully taken. Now they face the land of the giants in Bromley, who'll present a very different test. Can they make it 3 in 3 and start looking like a promotion contender once again?