By James Briscoe
Vadaine Oliver’s hat-trick for Crewe Alexandra helped defeat Nantwich Town at a sun-kissed Weaver Stadium.
Sam Winnall opened the scoring before Oliver bagged a brace on 61 and 63 minutes.
New Nantwich Town signing Chris Amadi then rifled a consolation goal under Crewe Alex’s Steve Phillips on 70 minutes before Oliver completed his hat-trick with a tap in on 73.
Crewe’s quality side included England youth international Max Clayton and Mathias Pogba.
However the Dabbers’ Aaron Burns and Harry Clayton had good first half chances and it was scoreless at half time.
Lots of half time substitutions disrupted the Dabbers, though, and tall ex-Lincoln City forward Oliver’s accurate finishing and athleticism proved too much for the home side’s defence.
After Winnall’s opener on 46 minutes, super sub Oliver’s hat-trick was only briefly interrupted by an impressive dart inside and shot from Amadi on 70 minutes.
Oliver’s second was an acrobatic volley which swerved past Terry Smith in Nantwich’s goal.
Oliver made it 4-1 after a Nantwich mix-up allowed Michael West to square for a calm finish on 73 minutes.
Crewe boss Steve Davis was given another warm welcome by the home supporters after his successful years at Nantwich Town before moving to Gresty Road.
Nantwich Town: Terry Smith (Cheetham 45), Alex Frost (Chalmers 78), Danny Lambert, Niall Maguire (Devenney 45), Earl Davis (Parkinson 45), Tom Moore, Adam Carden (Hudson 65), Mark Jones (Wright 45), Aaron Burns (Landregan 45), Harry Clayton (Amadi 45), Max Harrop.
Crewe Alexandra: Steve Phillips, Kelvin Mellore, Matt Tootle, Mark Ellis (Ray 61), Liam Nolan (Osman 61), Thierry Audel (Dugdale 61), Billy Waters (Turton 61), Michael West, Mathias Pogba (Winnall 45), Max Clayton (Oliver 45), Lee Molyneux (Green 65).
(Photos courtesy of Simon J Newbury – simonjnewburyphotography.co.uk)
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