Thanks again to Rory Sheehan who will be providing match reports and feature articles
Wrexham 0 Crawley 2
Wrexham’s play-off hopes are fading fast after this home defeat to fellow chasers Crawley and another underwhelming performance. The game was as good as over in the first half when the Dragons defence gifted the away side two appalling goals.
Wes Baynes and Carl Tremarco gave way to Jon Brown and Sam Williamson respectively as the only changes from Tuesday’s win at Northwich.
The Dragons put Crawley under instant pressure forcing corners and goalkeeper Simon Rayner into saves. On 9 minutes it looked as if Michael Proctor had given Wrexham the lead with a header from a Williamson free-kick. The referee ruled it out for an offside however, and that was to be the game’s turning point.
Crawley went straight down the other end of the field with Michael Malcolm toying with the hesitant, back-peddling John Curtis. Malcolm crossed for an unmarked Isaiah Rankin to head home from close-range in acres of space.
To their credit, despite seeming rattled initially, the Dragons tried to bounce back straight away and test Rayner and his reputation for dropping clangers. Unfortunately he was solid throughout the game.
Just past the half hour mark the away side doubled their advantage through the kind of horror show defending Wrexham fans thought had been swept away by Saunders.
Ashley Westwood left the ball for Anthony Williams to collect without realising ‘Taff’ was nowhere near it. Dannie Bulman pounced and crossed for Rob Matthews, unmarked again and with plenty of time and space, to prod the ball home.
Half-time couldn’t come quickly enough and when it did, Saunders acted by replacing the off-form Westwood with Mike Williams, and the tiring Matt Jansen with Jefferson Louis.
The Dragons came back into the game but it was too little too late as a physically strong, well-drilled Crawley side worked hard at denying space and winning most second balls before hitting it forward to the giant Matthews.
The last throw of the dice saw Patrick Suffo replace Nathan Fairhurst top bolster Wrexham’s attacking threat. The gamble failed to pay off as Crawley’s workmanlike style, time-wasting and gamesmanship reduced Wrexham’s effectiveness going forward.
The Dragons did muster some close chances in the dying minutes through Williamson and Louis but it was too late to prevent a disenchanted home crowd from leaving early or venting their frustrations vocally. Overall, it was a very disappointing afternoon.
This was only Wrexham’s first home league defeat under Dean Saunders but they have now only won one of their last 10 games.
Hopes of building on the victory at Northwich were dashed by terrible defensive play. Any hopes of a continued play-off challenge require a win and a positive performance just over 48 hours later at home to fellow play-off challengers Kidderminster Harriers…
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