Halesowen Town’s first pre-season friendly ended in a five goal defeat at the hands of a strong League Two outfit in an entertaining contest with Crewe Alexandra, writes David Johnson.

Crewe started the game on top and it took a splendid double save from 19-year-old stand-in Kiddy and former Stourport goalkeeper Josh Bishop to keep out Chris Long’s shot and Elliott Nevitt’s follow up after ten minutes. At the other end McKauley Manning’s 20 yard shot drifted inches wide in the 13th minute.

New home signing Ryan Wynters cleared off the line in the 18th minute before the Railwaymen took a 21st minute lead with a top corner finish from the edge of the area by Chris LONG.

The visitors added two further goals in simple fashion soon after the break and four goals in total during the second period. The League Two visitors fielded their strongest and more-or-less their first team during the second-half in contrast to Halesowen, who fielded their strongest team in the first period.

A 51st minute mis-kick from goalkeeper Bishop led to a simple 51st minute tap-in for Courtney BAKER-RICHARDSON and Joel Tabiner then set up Max WOODCOCK to slot home Crewe’s third goal in the 53rd minute. A mistake from Martin Riley let in Owen LUNT to curl past Bishop in the 64th minute and Crewe made it 5-0 just two minutes later when Tabiner crossed from the right for Zac WILLIAMS to tap home at the far post. Tracey was then denied by the Bishop’s legs in the 75th minute.

Visiting second half goalkeeper Tom Booth was rarely troubled as new Yeltz signing Miracle Okafor continued to plough a lonely furrow up front.

Halesowen Town (First Half): Josh Bishop; Josh Ezewele, Reece Mitchell, Jac Redhead, Ryan Wynters, Kieran Morris (c), Kieren Donnelly, Nathan Hayward, Miracle Okafor, McKauley Manning, George Cater. Second Half Substitutes: Martin Riley, Jack Byrne, Caine Elliott, Jak Hickman, Jack Holmes.

Crewe Alexandra (First Half): Harvey Davies; Lewis Billington, Connor O’Riordan, Luke Offord, Rio Adebisi, Regan Griffiths, Matus Holicek, Charlie Colkett, Connor Evans, Chris Long, Elliot Nevitt.

Crewe Alexandra (Second Half): Tom Booth; Ryan Cooney, Billy Sass-Davies, Zac Williams, Charlie Finney, Jack Powell, Owen Lunt, Joel Tabiner, Shilow Tracey, Max Woodcock (Zak Kempster-Down), Courtney Baker-Richardson.

Attendance: 927