Crewe Alexandra manager Lee Bell spoke after a 1-1 draw with York City at Mornflake Stadium on Saturday, saying his team could have won the match. Luke Offord gave Crewe the lead in the 8th minute with a header from a Calum Agius corner, but Alex Newby equalised for York before half-time. Bell expressed dissatisfaction with the first-half performance, stating the team should have done more in the opening 35 minutes and could have been leading by two or three if they had taken their opportunities. He praised York City as a really good team, crediting head coach Scott Lindsey for getting them playing well with the football, and acknowledged Crewe caught York out a little with their aggression early on.
Bell highlighted the importance of set-pieces, saying delivery is key and movement in the box is fine, but the team needs to be really good at them to score more when on top. He referenced a previous 2-2 draw with Walsall on Tuesday as part of a busy week, noting one or two players were flagging from two games in a week, yet also said the team would benefit from having played two games in a week. In stoppage time, Zech Medley had a chance denied by Tom Booth for York, while Morgan Williams made a goal-line clearance for Crewe. York conceded from a corner for the second time this season.
Bell said the players are giving everything and he cannot ask more of them, but stressed the need to improve in key areas. He ended with: "In the end, a draw for us with their pressure for what they had for large parts, they’ll probably feel like they could have won it." He also praised a recent set-piece delivery, saying: "A great delivery, something we’re banging on about again with the players." The York Press reported these comments.
Crewe Alexandra finished 11th in England League Two in the 2024-25 season with 67 points from 46 games (19W-10D-17L), a goal difference of +6 from 64 goals scored and 58 conceded, and recent form DLLLW. They are currently 20 points behind league leaders Bromley as the new season has not yet begun. The squad will look to build on this performance ahead of upcoming fixtures, which can be viewed on our fixtures page.
