Lee Bell hails ‘intelligent’ Josh March after Crewe thump Fleetwood

Manager Lee Bell heaped praise on Josh March after the striker opened his Crewe account in the 4-1 League Two win at Fleetwood.

March scored the visitors’ second goal with a superb chip, saw a brilliant overhead kick saved by Town captain Jay Lynch, and it was also his first-minute shot which was deflected into his own goal by Toby Mullarkey.

Calum Agius struck early in the second half before Reece Hutchinson added a fourth to make it four wins out of four for Alex.

Substitute James Norwood converted a late penalty for the previously-unbeaten hosts.

“He just doesn’t stop,” said Bell of one-time Harrogate and Forest Green forward March. “He could have had goal of the season with that overhead kick.

“He doesn’t just run around, he is a good footballer. He is intelligent with the timing of what he does.

“It was a really cool finish. You wonder if he was going to go round or snatch at it and kick it against the keeper.

“So I am so pleased for him. He just has enthusiasm, wants to be out there and always backs himself.”

On his side’s fourth successive win, Bell insisted: “In terms of performance and quality at times out of the four games we have played, that was the poorest one.

“And in terms of possession and territory it probably wasn’t as dominant as it looks with the stats.

“But the most important thing is what we are doing in the final third in terms of shots.

“It was a good win, an exciting game with lots of incidents. The start helped because they are a good team with a good manager.”

Pete Wild said ‘sorry’ to the Fleetwood supporters after his team’s heaviest Football League defeat to the Railwaymen.

“A massive apology to the fans because that wasn’t good enough from the players or staff,” said Wild.

“I would love to tell you it was tactical but it wasn’t. The first 20 minutes of each half we were a disgrace, horrific.

“It was completely not good enough. I have not seen any of that in pre-season or in the first four games.

“I hope it is a flash in the pan but there is a realisation from us all that we have a lot of hard work to do.

“Crewe made one change from Saturday but they looked fresh, athletic and won every duel in the first half. You can’t do anything unless you win duels.

“I am trying to say we are all in it together. But once they walk over that white line and don’t win duels, headers or tackles, there is not a lot from the sidelines we can offer them.”