Burton Albion made it six wins on the spin after defeating Crewe Alexandra at the Alexandra Stadium.

A first-half hat-trick for Kane Hemmings set them up for a monumental win. 

Jimmy Floyd Haselbaink's side were certainly playing like the team that were chasing the play-offs, not David Artell's.

Hemmings' first hat-trick for the Brewers was enough to sink Crewe. In what was another fine performance from him and his team.

As Burton moved further away from the relegation zone, it was a day to forget for the Railwaymen, but yet another day to remember for the Derbyshire side as they continue their rejuvenation. 

Hemmings might have gotten the three goals, however, Brewers 'keeper Ben Garratt produced one of his best performances of the season, and more than deserved the clean sheet. 

  • Story of the game

First half

The game got off to a slow start at the Alexandra Stadium, with both teams up for the fight.

However, in the ninth minute, the Brewers struck first when Kane Hemmings stabbed home from close range. A Tom Hamer long throw was not dealt with by the opposition defence and Burton score again for the second time this week off the back of one. 

Ex-Crewe 'keeper Ben Garratt saved ex-Burton loanee Luke Murphy's shot on the 15th minute, Garratt got down well to deny the 31-year-old.

The away side turned up the heat once again and came knocking for a second, in-form Jonny Smith didn't work Dave Richards hard enough in the net. 

The Brewers found themselves two up after 23 minutes, Hemmings scored again. The Burton goalkeeper smashed the ball up which the Railwaymen's defence failed to deal with. The ball landed perfectly for Hemmings, who just rolled it underneath Richards to double the away sides lead. 

Nine minutes after Burton went 2-0 up, they made it three as Hemmings completed his hat-trick inside 34 minutes. Great pressure from the 29-year-old allowed him to intercept, skip past Omar Beckles and slot it past a helpless Richards. 

The Alex responded well to going three down, they immediately pushed forward and Ryan Wintle got a good effort on goal which was smartly saved by Garratt who tipped the ball over the bar. 

Crewe ended the half on top. However, failing to cause the Burton defence too many problems. They slowed the game down towards the end of the first half, and that half time couldn't have come quick enough for Artell's men. 

Second half 

The visitors came out in the second half full of spirit in a bid to score more. Hayden Carter went close nearly scoring his third Burton goal. Crewe were on the ropes at this point with three successive corners. 

The hosts came knocking again in what had been a really entertaining game. End to end stuff. Tom Lowery looked to pull one back for Crewe, but a fine save from Garratt once again stopped the midfielder from getting his side back in the game.

One positive to come out of the game for Crewe fans, Callum Ainley got back onto the field after some time out. He replaced Charlie Kirk after an hour.

The momentum slowed down halfway through the second half, with Burton seeing there work done really, just locking up the shop. 

Crewe came close, but for some terrific last-ditch defending from the visitors, Ainsley had a huge impact once coming on. 

Garratt was called into action once again this time to deny Chris Porter who came close with a header.  

The Brewers defence was like a brick wall, Crewe could get nothing past them, and with Garratt, in goal it was even harder when they eventually tested him. 

The away side took all three points back down the M6 as they ran riot in the first half with the Hemmings hat-trick enough to inspire the visitors to a huge victory. 

MOTM - Kane Hemmings 

It was between the hat-trick hero, or Garratt in the Burton net. However the crown will be awarded to Burton's number nine. Purely because of the context of the goals he scored. It was hard not to award it to the hat-trick hero and their top scorer. Ben Garratt had a phenomenal game, and if there was two man of the match awards, the shot stopper definitely would have got the second.

  • Key Takeaways 

Haselbaink's rejuvenation continues

Six wins on the bounce for the Brewers, and they do not look like they'll be stopping anytime soon. 

Just goes to show how far managerial experience can go, and a change bringing in a few fresh legs.

The team are jelling, and finding a way through, and if they keep it up, could be in for a late play-off push, failing that, then next season that should be the aim for the yellows.

Consistency hard to come by for Crewe

Consistency has been a huge problem for the Railwaymen for much of this season, leading to them lingering in and around the midtable. 

They haven't won back-to-back games since December, and have the same amount of wins as losses (13). They're yet to have a run that rockets them up the table, much like the one that todays visitors are on. 

They have been struck with injuries throughout this season, which could be a big reason as them struggling to find momentum. 

 

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