CREWE ALEXANDRA 0-2 COVENTRY CITY
City: Murphy, Dickinson, Cameron, Wood (J.Clarke 56), Christie, Bailey (Fleck 74), Baker, Jennings McSheffrey, Elliott (Wilson 66). L Clarke Subs: Thomas, Dunn.
Crewe: Phillips, Robertson, Mellor, Ellis, Dugdale, Osman, Aneke, Murphy, Inman, Pogba, Leitch-Smith (Moore 82). Subs: Martin, M. Clayton, Harris, Turton.
HT CAFC 0-0 CCFC FT CAFC 0-2 CCFC
ATT 8,325
Goals Ellis OG 90+3, Leon Clarke 90+4
Referee G.Scott Booked Osman,Ellis, Murphy, L.Clarke
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Coventry City scored two late goals but it was too little too late as Crewe progressed to Wembley Final against Southend United with a 3-2 aggregate victory.
If ever there was ever a must win game for the Sky Blues then this second leg of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Area Final was it.
City trailed 3-0 from the first leg but knew if they could get to Wembley, then the money from merchandise and ticket sales for 41,000 would keep a few wolves from the door.
To win on aggregate was going to take one massive effort from the Sky Blues players but there was plenty of confidence amongst the City support which was in every one of the four stands at Gresty Road, not just the two given to Coventry City supporters, who unlike the Crewe fans, had snapped up the meagre allocation on offer within three hours of them going on sale.
The atmosphere as the City fans took any seat they could find was superb, whilst there were plenty of spaces on the flanks of the Main Stand.
The Sky Blue Song was ringing round the ground as Crewe kicked off the first half against a City side which was set up for a league fixture rather than a do or die cup tie.
City's first attack came after two and a half minutes and saw Leon Clarke, who has been told that he needs to be sharper, head a Baker cross wide.
With Crewe starting the time wasting early, Bailey fire over before Crewe won a corner which Murphy dealt with ease.
Steve Jennings had a twenty yarder parried away by Phillips and Gary McSheffrey got the ball in the net only for the whistle to have long gone.
The City support continued to urge on the team which had Clarke go close just after the half hour mark with a shot that just missed Phillips right hand post.
Murphy - the Crewe number eight, sent a free kick wide. McSheffrey wasted a good chance firing across the box, missing Clarke and Elliott when he should have shot directly on goal.
The referee Mr Scott, was not endearing himself to an angry City support with some of his decisions and in the 42nd minute, the City support were right to be aggrieved when he waved play on with a player from either side lying on the deck with head injuries, following a corner. This meant that the game resumed with ironic cheers every time a free kick to the yellow shirted City team was awarded.
There were no changes at the break and it was the home side who started the better winning a 47th minute corner. City won one two minutes later, which Phillips pushed away. Another wasted chance was followed by Murphy getting down to push away a Aneke shot for a corner. Richard Wood was injured tackling and was replaced by Jordan Clarke.
Crewe were having too much of the ball and were gifted a goal kick when Carl Baker fired wide with a right footed shot. Off the pitch, things were getting heated between the City fans behind the goal and some of the Crewe fans including one idiot in red who was doing his best to incite trouble, in the Main Stand. A red flare was left off and forced Mr Scott to make sure it was extinguished before the game recommenced.
Jordan Clarke fired wide from distance and Leon Clarke aimed straight at Phillips. Lee Carsley decided to shuffle his pack again and sent on youngster Callum Wilson and John Fleck in the 74th minute.
By now, the frustration amongst the City support had grown pretty big and how much was summed up when the City fans were calling for Joe Murphy to go forward for three corners as we approached stoppage time still without a goal.
Five minutes were added on. In the third minute, Ellis turned towards his own goal and inexplicably sent the ball past Phillips.
Some City fans were on the pitch amidst jubilant scenes which really were mental when Leon Clarke headed in a minute later.
Unfortunately, a third goal wasn't to be and yet again, a good turnout of City supporters left disappointed at having seen the Sky Blues fail to put away the chances which would have seen the miracle happen.