Crewe Alexandra’s Aaron Rowe scored a pair of goals against Derby County, which were his first goals in over two-and-a-half years, helping his League Two side secure victory in the FA Cup first-round replay at Pride Park.
The game started with a cool finish from Tom Barkhuizen for the League One hosts within the first three minutes. However, Rowe’s first-half double, marking his first two goals for Crewe Alexandra, set up an upset. The visiting team was further bolstered by a crucial save from goalkeeper Harvey Davies, who tipped a Max Bird shot onto the crossbar as the Rams searched for an equalizer before the break.
Mickey Demetriou added a third goal for Crewe with a second-half header, securing a second-round home tie against League One side Bristol Rovers. This remarkable victory saw League Two side Crewe Alexandra stun Derby County, led by Rams boss Paul Warne, who made two changes from the side that defeated Barnsley 3-0, while Crewe Alexandra, with three changes after their late win against fellow League Two high-flyers Notts County on Saturday, showcased an exhilarating start of scoring from both sides within the first seven minutes.
While Derby’s opening goal was short-lived and created a tense atmosphere, Rowe’s second and third goals revealed Crewe’s ability to execute an effective game plan, as well as their physical and mental readiness to handle back-to-back games.
Derby County head coach Paul Warne expressed his disappointments, attributing the defeat to his team’s lack of performance. Meanwhile, Crewe Alexandra boss Lee Bell exuded pride and excitement over the football club’s brilliant night, summarizing the performance as the proudest moment in football. The match ended with Derby County being knocked out in the first round of the FA Cup for the first time since the 1984-85 season.
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