Thanks again to Rory Sheehan who will be providing match reports and feature articles
Wrexham 0 Ebbsfleet 0
Dean Saunders gamble on an experimental side for this FA Trophy Quarter-Final failed to pay off as a further fixture was added to an already log-jammed run-in in the form of a replay. The performance was poor and there are now question marks against a couple of the new signings.
With Marc Williams suspended Jon Brown moved up front to partner Jefferson Louis. Ex-Gretna man Aurelien Collin replaced the rested Ashley Westwood at centre-half making his debut, while ex-Ghana international and UEFA Cup winner Christian Gyan started his first game at right-back. Wes Baynes and Sam Aiston were also included in the line-up.
Gyan and Collin both made nightmare starts but while Collin regained composure and got his bearings as the game went on, Gyan looked far from the player he must have been at Feyenoord 7 years ago. Poor in possession, positionally awry, and slightly off the pace, they suffered a jittery opening 25 minutes but fortunately the visitors were unable to capitalise.
The main event of the first half was an unfortunate injury to Ebbsfleet’s Craig Stone in an innocuous challenge by former team-mate Andrew Crofts, which saw Stone stretchered off with a broken leg.
Chances were thin on the ground, neither goalkeeper was really tested as a gritty game drew to a disappointing close at the half-time interval.
It was no surprise when Saunders replaced Gyan at the break with Nathan Fairhurst, whose presence in midfield allowed Baynes to drop into right-back.
Any chance of the game bursting into life during the second period was wiped out by incredibly inept refereeing. Even by the wretched general standard of officiating at this level it was dire and frustratingly frequent, taking any rhythm or flow out of the game.
Ironically Mr S.P Beck cut short Aurelien Collin’s debut just as he was showing improvement and increased confidence on the hour. Ebbsfleet striker Michael Gash took a tumble when colliding with the Frenchman on the edge of the Dragons area, and to the disbelief of the Racecourse faithful and a visibly upset Collin, he was red-carded.
Needless to say Wrexham being reduced to 10 men did little for the quality of the game as Sam Aiston was replaced with Darran Kempson. Silvio Spann replaced Louis shortly after. Even against 10 men Ebbsfleet failed to muster anything like a convincing opening.
Wrexham weren’t really in a position to go on the attack to win the game either. The game finished a subdued 0-0, leaving most Wrexham fans understandably turning their frustration to the officials.
Saunders will draw few if any positives out of this game. Another fixture has been added to an over-crowded schedule, an important upcoming game at home to play-off rivals Kidderminster now has to be fitted in elsewhere. Of the new signings; Gyan looked disappointingly out of his depth and while Collin improved, the sending off was a setback. You have to wonder whether either would be comfortable in a BSP game on this showing.
The two sides have to do it all again on Tuesday in Essex in a game Wrexham, and Saunders, could have done without….
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