Kane Hemmings’ brace helps Crewe to victory against Harrogate

Kane Hemmings’ double helped Crewe to a fourth consecutive win as they moved into the top seven with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Harrogate.

Jack Lankester followed up Hemmings’ early strike with his first goal for the Alex as they dominated throughout.

They started strongly, with Mickey Demetriou’s firm header hitting the crossbar from a corner from Joel Tabiner.

A fine piece of finishing from Hemmings edged Crewe ahead in the seventh minute with the veteran striker latching on to a pass from Lankester inside the box and driving a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Hemmings was inches away with an audacious effort from near the halfway line after goalkeeper James Belshaw’s headed clearance dropped into his path.

Harrogate were fortunate not to fall further behind when Ryan Cooney was slipped clear by Lankester, but the defender poked his effort wide of the near post.

It was no surprise when Lee Bell’s side doubled their lead, with summer signing Lankester going from provider to finisher by firing into the far corner for his first goal for the club after being set up by Conor Thomas.

As the half drew to a close, Toby Sims’ flicked header from a corner was kept out by Filip Marschall.

Opposite number Belshaw denied Lankester a second with a smart stop shortly after the restart and Tabiner drove a 20-yard effort just past a post after some industrious work from Shilow Tracey had the visitors backtracking.

The lacklustre Sulphurites struggled to pose any real threat, although substitute Warren Burrell was denied in the closing minutes by another fine stop from Marschall.

Hemmings then rounded off the afternoon with his second goal of the game, stretching to finish from close range in the 88th minute after Tracey’s initial effort was blocked.