IN a competitive and entertaining pre season friendly at Shamrock Rovers new home Tolka Park last night visitors Crewe were treated to a comprehensive 3-1 beating.

In a game that see sawed with freneticism, Rovers got off the mark after only five minutes when centre half Paul Whelan got on the score sheet. They could have gone further ahead but it was Crewe's Peter Ellison who scored next after 41 minutes.

In the second half, Rovers took the lead, again directly after Crewe had a strong penalty claim turned down. In a lightening breakaway, Tony Cussens's 65th minute header gave Rovers the confidence to go on and win the game.

Minutes later a Pad Fenlon delivery was headed home by Carl Gannon. An encouraging victory for Rovers over the quality English opposition.