| The Sky Blues put on a rare display of rampancy as
they hit Crewe for six - including a first Coventry hat-trick from
Lee Hughes.
![Lee Hughes, Coventry City FC [photograph from empics]](../../empics/players/emp-lee-hughes-010811-462255-180x250.jpg) The
former West Brom striker netted either side of half-time before
muscling in his third to round off the scoring for the day on 70
minutes.
Delorge with two goals and Thompson with the fifth completed the
goal bonanza.
Crewe's sole reply came from Robert Hulse just before half time.
They had the chance to make the score a little more respectable when
they were awarded a penalty in the 87th minute but skipper Shaun
Smith smashed it against the crossbar.
Coventry were helped in the rout by a woeful defensive and
goalkeeping display from Crewe. Manager Dario Gradi took off keeper
Bankole after 71 minutes "for his own good".
This was City's biggest win since trouncing Luton 5-0 in 1991. It
equals previous away records against Trowbridge in the FA Cup (6-1,
16 November 1963) and against Carlisle United in the league (6-1, 14
February 1959). The away record stands with a 7-0 victory against
Aberdare Athletic in the league on 18 April 1927.
Along with the 2-0 midweek victory against Rotherham this result
now nudges City back into contention for a play-off place. They now
lie in 6th place with 53 points.
MATCH REPORTS FROM AROUND THE WEB :
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE EXTERNAL LINKS
MAY NOT BE PERMANENT
CREWE ALEXANDRA :
Ademola Bankole (Clayton Ince, 71), Shaun Smith, Efetobore Sodje,
Steve Foster (David Walton, 62), Kenny Lunt (Ben Rix, 65), David
Brammer, Neil Sorvel, David Vaughan, Dean Ashton, Robert Hulse,
David Wright
Subs not used : Colin Little, Rodney Jack
COVENTRY CITY :
Magnus Hedman, Barry Quinn, Marcus Hall, Muhamed Konjic, Gary Breen,
Laurent Delorge (Lee Fowler, 90), Youssef Safri, Colin Healy (Robert
Betts, 87), David Thompson, Lee Hughes, Lee Mills (Gary McSheffrey,
72)
Subs not used : Calum Davenport, Craid Pead
GOALS :
Crewe - Hulse (45)
Coventry - Delorge (37, 57), Hughes (45, 47, 70), Thompson (67)
REFEREE : G Salisbury (Preston)
BOOKINGS :
Crewe - Brammer (50, foul)
Coventry - none
ATTENDANCE : 7,835
COVENTRY LEAGUE POSITION : 6th with 53 points |
