Crewe beat Crawley 1-0, with the game seeing three players sent off, and a 95th minute winner in what was dramatic League Two opener.
It also saw former Premier League keeper Vito Mannone twice needing treatment before being taken off, unable to play in the second half.
The game saw a total of 18 minutes of added time, according to BBC Sport, following the moments of madness and the injury stoppages.
Kellan Gordon was sent off for his part in an off-the-ball incident with Crewe midfielder Joe White on 51 minutes, Malcolm Ebiowei also seeing red for launching the ball at Calum Agius after being persistently fouled.
Referee Andrew Humphries issued Crewe’s Mickey Demetriou a second yellow for a late tackle on 85 minutes.
Then Josh March’s 95th-minute header saw Crewe snatched all three points.
@kellangordon25 wrote: “Moment of stupidity from me today, Man enough to hold my hands up I let the fans and the boys down today so far from my character, I will definitely put it right that’s for sure ❤️🤍”
Moment of stupidity from me today, Man enough to hold my hands up I let the fans and the boys down today so far from my character, I will definitely put it right that’s for sure ❤️🤍
— KG✌🏽 (@kellangordon25) August 15, 2026
Mickey Demetriou took to social media after the game, saying: Important 3 points to start the season off. Massive effort from the lads.
“Safe trip home to the travelling fans, thank you for sticking with us until the end.
“Apologies to the lads/staff & fans for what happened. Believe me no one is more frustrated than me with how it happened but in the moment I believed I could 100% win that ball in the air & keep the attack alive so for me I’m going all in to do that.
“Yes hindsight works in different ways and another day I could make a different decision but in that moment that was the decision I made & for everyone that knows me knows I don’t do anything half hearted and that will never change. Hard work will continue and l’II be ready for the next one.”
@oconnell_kev: “Things happen. Get rested up ready to lead from the front again. Seemed an odd first booking”
vMickey Demetriou (@Mickeyd_09): After having a normal conversation for a couple of minutes with the ref regarding the 2nd red card he was then informed that I apparently approached the situation to quickly from a distance 🤷🏼♂️
@jayhodson44: Not to throw Lankester in it, but if the ref is booking you for that reason, on top of after a reasonable chat, so should Jack had too – or better off neither at all for the rate of speed running! I thought captains are there to resolve it with the ref and team mates 🫠
Mickey Demetriou (@Mickeyd_09): They tell us they want the captains to stop players approaching the ref in those situations but when you try to stop it happening, they turn round and book you instead so I’m not sure what they want us to do now 🤦🏼♂️
They tell us they want the captains to stop players approaching the ref in those situations but when you try to stop it happening, they turn round and book you instead so I’m not sure what they want us to do now 🤦🏼♂️
— Mickey Demetriou (@Mickeyd_09) August 16, 2026
INTERVIEWS:
“Our groups have been built around going until the end.”
Lee Bell goes through our opening day victory at Crawley 💭#CreweAleksandr pic.twitter.com/CXp343Xubh
— Crewe Aleksandr (@crewealexfc) August 15, 2026
“The main thing is that we put three points on the board.”
Match-winner Josh March gives his verdict on today’s performance at Broadfield Stadium 💭#CreweAleksandr pic.twitter.com/sX840g7ljb
— Crewe Aleksandr (@crewealexfc) August 15, 2026
Here’s how fans reacted after Crawley 0-1 Crewe sees three players sent off and a 95th minute winner in dramatic League Two opener…
@TylerBirtles: Had a bit of everything that!! Grafted from start to finish and got the result we deserved. A little cagey and worrying in spells, but also much better in the second half with some good passing play. Brilliant move for the winner. Hopefully we can build on this now. UTA! 🫡🙌🏻🚂
@Dan__CAFC: Celebrate the win but definitely not the performance
@CAFCaalex: didn’t need THAT much anxiety on the first gameweek lads but we move
@Dazzzzzz86: Obviously pleased we won, but that was embarrassing. Never have I seen a bunch of players as clueless as we were today. The stupidity of Mickey and us still bringing every player back to defend corners just added to the whole embarrassment of it all #CreweAlex
@cozby97: Before kick off I said 3 points is all that matters but if every game is as stressful as that im not making it through the season 😅 Good day out though and some fun chants to go with the result. #CreweAlex #MauledByTheMeerkats
@ShuttleworthCT: To the 9 who didn’t get sent off: Hang your heads up high, what a performance. Ref lost the game and started booking players and coaches for no reason. Gordon and Ebiowei hang your heads in shame, we would have easily won with 11v11.
@CBCTFC: Pathetic by Gordan & Malcom. Both need fining. Completely threw that game due to their own stupidity. Such a poor attitude
@CrawleyClobber: Those 9 men left on the pitch were phenomenal, gave everything to keep us in that game and still created chances. With 11 men we win that game. With 10 men we win that game. Got to sort that dressing room out we can’t have emotional outbreaks like that for no reason.
