Thanks again to Rory Sheehan who will be providing match reports and feature articles
Salisbury 1 Wrexham 4
Wrexham cruised to their first away win of the season at Salisbury with a convincing second-half performance. For the first time under Brian Little’s reign the side came from behind to win a game.
Nat Brown returned to the starting line-up in midfield after recovering from injury, and Wes Baynes replaced the injured Kyle Critchell. Salisbury, having just been promoted to the BSP, were the surprise early leaders in the division.
Once again however we made a dreadful start. Nat Brown’s comeback lasted all of 7 minutes before he had to be replaced by Levi Mackin. Mackin’s first contribution was to concede the free-kick from which Salisbury scored the opener.
The set-piece was duly converted by Andrew Sandell. The goal gave the home side a boost and for the next 10 minutes Wrexham really struggled to get a hold on the game. Gradually though we came into it and applied pressure to the Salisbury goal.
Just before half-time Shaun Whalley impressively curled home the equaliser from 25 yards and from then on there was no looking back.
Salisbury’s side featured a mixture of professionals and part-timers and, unlike at Accrington, Wrexham were able to take advantage of their superior fitness in the afternoon heat.
Salisbury’s biggest threats were Sandell and Matt Tubbs. Sandell was substituted relatively early, looking exhausted, though not before we’d taken the lead.
On 54 minutes we scored through a scrappy goal. Spender put the ball into the area, Louis got his head to it, but it came off a Salisbury defender for what looked like an own goal. Louis claimed it however, but it would not be long before he scored a goal he could definitely call his own.
With 14 minutes to go, having displayed a terrible touch on the ball just moments earlier Louis took it on a run into the Salisbury box and drove home to make it 3-1, putting the game beyond all doubt.
There was no way back for Salisbury as Little gradually introduced Gareth Evans and Sam Aiston to the action, replacing Baynes and Louis.
In the final minute victory was capped with another good goal from Shaun Whalley, playing on the left in this game, with Simon Brown having partnered Louis up front. A deflection helped his 30-yard shot in, but it was a goal he deserved.
In the end, after an early scare, it was a comfortable victory. Salisbury are unlikely to be near the top at the end of the season but the fact they are in the early going speaks volumes for this division. Anyone can beat anyone and any side capable of putting together a run of form seem to have an excellent opportunity of a promotion push.
We have yet to put back-to-back victories together so far under Brian Little. A run of form is due, hopefully starting with a tough home game against Burton Albion on Tuesday.
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