Crewe Alexandra’s Max Clayton is confident his side can go all the way after they secured a trip to Wembley for the npower League Two play-off final.
Academy graduate Ajay Leitch-Smith opened the scoring for Crewe before 17-year-old Clayton struck with a well-taken goal on the counter-attack to help Crewe to a 2-2 draw at Southend and a 3-2 aggregate victory.
“It was the best feeling in the world to score, I was pleased to come on and it shows how good the Academy is,” Clayton told Sky Sports.
“I think we have got a great chance. We’ve got a great squad, we’re in form, we’ve come late and I wouldn’t fancy us not to win.”
Southend topped the table for much of the season while Crewe were languishing in 18th when Manager Steve Davis took over in November.
But Davis’ faith in his young squad was rewarded when they sneaked into the play-offs on the final day.
Former Apprentice and Man-of-the-Match Ashley Westwood added:
“We were looking at a relegation battle but the gaffer has come in and changed it around and the players have got to take a lot of credit as well.”
Alex will now hope to beat either Torquay United or Cheltenham Town in the Play-Off final to reclaim a place in League One after a three year absence.
Clayton celebrates the victory with captain Ashley Westwood
