Whaley faced a tough Crewe team confident on the back of some good recent results. After an even first 15 minutes the visitor’s threat from set-plays became apparent; the home side failed to clear a long throw into the box and the loose ball was smashed into the net from close range by the first to react big Jake Maunders.

Minutes later, following a misunderstanding between keeper and defence, the ball fell to Whaley's Jack Kelly who calmly chipped it into an empty net from 35 yards; an excellent unusual spectacle and one which the crowd really enjoyed.

Whaley were now in full control of the game, Barlow and Gilbride getting the better of Crewe’s Ruane and Carr in a tough midfield battle. Maintaining a high tempo throughout the home side created chances; Sutton’s header hitting the post and then Lee Morris heading a Burgess cross just over. Following a nasty challenge on Tom Scorer the referee played advantage for Kelly to put Barlow through only to be fouled in front of goal, the reliable Sutton put the Bridge 2-1 up from the spot.

Whaley now attacking at will and on all four cylinders increased the score line through a classic goal from Burgess J.  Coming in from the right Joe drifted by two defenders to set himself up on the edge of the box centre of goal; his fierce shot hit the underside of the bar - some say it went over the line but it didn’t matter – to drop down and rebound off keeper Arron Lyon back over the line. Another goal to delight the crowd!

Half time and a justified 3-1 score line for the more determined, organised and on-form Whaley side.

Whaley sat back for 15 minutes and absorbed a bit of pressure from Crewe before again taking hold of the game again going close on a couple of occasions with shots from Barlow and Scorer.

The game was never really in any doubt and to cap off a really good performance, probably the best sustained effort yet this season, Morris made it 4. Good football from back to front led to three Whaley’s forwards all trying to latch on to the loose ball, all streaming towards the Crewe goal, but the in-form Lee Morris got there first and buried his shot into Lyon’s top right corner.

Difficult to pick man of the match because everyone deserves a mention this week in what was probably Whaley’s best performance so far however J Kay, B Sutton, T Streets and J Gregory did catch the eye.

Knutsford AWAY next week still 3pm KO.

J Tattersall B Sutton (1) J Burgess (1) J Kay A Barlow T Streets J Kelly (1) L Morris(1) T Scorer D Gilbride J Gregory

S Leadbetter (65) G Burgess (60) J Furmston (73)