At last, Latics show what they can do

Photo: Pictures by ALAN HOWARTH

NET BUSTER: James Tarkowski (left) wheels away after putting Athletic in front last night.

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Crewe 0, Athletic 2

DOMINANT, relentlessly positive and completely deserving of a morale-boosting victory, Athletic produced when it mattered for their manager last night.

There were star turns all over the pitch and the weight of the final score could easily have been far heavier in Athletic’s favour.

It was almost the complete performance — remarkable, given the mental battering Athletic had suffered three days earlier against Coventry.

And it showed that, as everyone had hoped, this collection of players is capable of producing football that is both easy on the eye and effective in netting league points.

Athletic deserve great credit for setting their stall out from the off, to offer no time or comfort to the home side.

The first half belonged almost exclusively to the visitors

Around the hour Tarkowski rose to powerfully head-in Baxter’s swinging corner at the far post.

The goal settled the nerves of both player and team, and the introduction of Robbie Simpson for Baxter gave the over-worked Alex defence more to worry about.

For the second goal, Derbyshire harried Robertson into conceding possession to Croft, who shaped a cross which was just too high for Simpson to direct a header towards goal.

Montano was able to retrieve the ball and he forced in a lovely low centre that Derbyshire swept in from six yards, left-footed.

Paul Dickov will need to maintain a level of performance close to this against better opponents.

If he can do that, things really will start to look up.



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