The spoils are shared between Crewe Alexandra and Cheltenham Town in their EFL League One season opener

In the League One season opener, Crewe Alexandra faced newly promoted Cheltenham Town at The Mornflake Stadium.

The visitors were almost gifted the perfect start within 60 seconds. A loose pass from Crewe was taken neatly by Andy Williams before the striker fired his effort high and wide.

As the weather conditions worsened, the Alex grew into the game after a nervous opening 10 minutes which saw the Robins force the hosts’ goalkeeper, Dave Richards, into a sharp save down to his right.

In the 16th minute, Crewe had their first effort. Josh Lundstram found Mikael Mandron with a whipped cross, but the striker couldn’t keep his effort down. However, it was second time lucky for the Alex man on the half-hour mark. A loose pass from Liam Sercombe fell nicely to Lundstram who found the Frenchman in the box as he faked his first effort before firing low into the far corner to open the scoring.

After taking the lead the hosts pushed forward for a second. Donervon Daniels saw his goal-bound effort blocked before Callum Ainley was just a yard away from latching onto an Owen Dale through ball.

With all the possession, Crewe were then hit with a sucker punch with five minutes of the first-half remaining. A long ball towards the corner looked to have been dealt with by Daniels, but his pass back towards Richards was misplaced, falling kindly to the feet of Williams who made no mistake with an open goal gaping.

It nearly got worse for David Artell’s side just minutes later as Ellis Chapman flashed a wicked ball across the box but luckily for Crewe nobody in blue could get on the end of it.

The second 45 minutes was a half of very few opportunities. Cheltenham forward Alfie May had arguably the best chance. Robins’ number 10 found himself up against a goalkeeper who had a point to prove. Richards, who throughout pre-season has had his position in the side questioned, repaid the faith the manager has put in him with two great saves to deny the forward.

In the final stages of the game, Crewe pushed for a winner, but like it had been all game, the Railwaymen’s attack wasn’t at the races. The frontmen were quiet all game. Ainley and Dale had moments in both halves but were unable to create any chances against a very resolute defence with a 1-1 draw a fair result for both sides.

There are definitely things to improve on for David Artell’s side but a draw on the opening day of the season isn’t a bad result. On the other hand, an away point is a great result for the Robins. Town fans may think of themselves as unlucky not to leave The Mornflake Stadium with three points after Alfie May’s chance.

Alex fans now see their side travel to Victoria Park on Tuesday night to take on Hartlepool United in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

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