Crewe Alexandra made a winning start to their Jersey Mike's Trophy campaign with a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa Under-21s. Jack Lankester scored a brilliant brace, while Adrien Thibaut and Luke Offord added the other goals.
The Railwaymen secured the win in Northern Group B at home, with Max Jenner scoring the consolation for Villa. The match also saw homegrown defender Tom Graves make his professional debut for the club.
How the match unfolded
Crewe set up in a 4-4-2 system with Kyle Ure at left-back, Graves, Stan Dancey and Offord forming the back line. Lankester, Luca Moore, Calum Agius and Owen Lunt lined up in midfield, with Thibaut and Charlie McNeill leading the attack.
The hosts dominated early possession. Thibaut blazed an early chance over the bar, and Moore saw a low strike pushed for a corner as Crewe seized control. Villa responded with Alfie Lynskey's free kick into the wall on 20 minutes, but Lankester's effort was gathered by keeper James Wright.
Offord broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark, nodding home an accurate Agius free kick. Thibaut doubled the advantage before the break when he forced a Villa defensive error and prodded past the keeper from close range.
Lankester made it 3-0 in the second half with a low drive from 20 yards after cutting inside from the right. Rodrigo Fortes tested Crewe keeper Ian Lawlor with a free kick, while Lynskey continued to press for a Villa response.
Max Jenner scored a consolation for the visitors on 85 minutes, but Crewe added a fourth when substitute Jordan Gibson created space with skilled play and found Lankester, who cut inside to smash his second of the night.
What's next
Crewe Alexandra travel to Rotherham United in League Two on Saturday. Manager Lee Bell will prepare the squad for that fixture.
