Wrexham v Morecambe
2-1
Morecambe were the victims of Wrexham’s first home victory of the season in their first away game as a Football League club. From the kick-off Wrexham put pressure on the Shrimpers. This was rewarded when a Chris Llewellyn cross was nodded home by Michael Proctor after just six minutes. Proctor grabbed his second goal quarter of an hour later. Racing onto another Danny Williams through ball he impressively lobbed Morecambe’s goalkeeper Joe Lewis, giving him no chance. Morecambe hardly had a chance to test Anthony Williams in the Wrexham goal when half-time came. Our first 3 points of the season were seemingly not in doubt.
After such a one-sided first-half Morecambe would be looking to come back into the game during the second. However most Wrexham fans didn’t expect them to apply quite so much pressure, leaving Wrexham to hang on at times especially near the end of the game. Second-half substitute Jon Newby (who else?) grabbed a goal back for the Shrimpers, slotting home 10 minutes after half-time. He couldn’t score for us but he always scores against us. Wrexham’s control of the game slipped, they struggled to keep possession and Morecambe created chances. A great save from Williams foiled Curtis who had a great opportunity to put the visitor’s level with eight minutes to go. After missing another chance in the final minute Morecambe ran out of time.
Morecambe can take heart though from their second-half performance as they continue their debut season in League 2. Despite the disappointing second period Wrexham can also take positives from the performances of Proctor and Levi Mackin, who again had another very good game after being given the chance by Brian Carey to show what he can do. Carey however, will also be concerned at how meekly Wrexham surrendered to Morecambe when put under pressure. Nevertheless, a welcome first home win and three points of the season ahead of a tough trip to Bradford City next week.
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Carling Cup - Port Vale V Wrexham
I think we can count this as our first win of the season. O.K so it was on penalties but let that take nothing away from a young Wrexham team that did us proud last night. Away at a respected ‘League 1’ side a division above, Wrexham were weakened by the absence of Mark Jones and Eifion Williams. Matty Done and Levi Mackin were chosen to fill the gaps as Brian Carey changed things around, and ‘Carrots’ was given a chance in goal in place of Anthony Williams.
Wrexham made a good start early on when a Danny Williams long ball over the top bounced in front of Mike Proctor in the penalty area. Proctor fired it home to give us the lead and our first goal of the season. Vale started to creep back into the game and just past the half hour mark Richard Hope was adjudged to have fouled in the area conceding a penalty. Luke Rodgers scored from the spot to make it 1-1. The game continued to be fairly even in the second-half, both sides creating chances as substitutes Josh Johnson and Marc Williams were introduced for Wrexham. Vale brought on ex-Wrexham player Paul Edwards as the game neared extra-time.
Conall Murtagh replaced Danny Williams just before the end of the game and the beginning of extra-time. Murtagh and Mackin in central midfield were impressive as Wrexham pushed on looking to win the game, but it went to the always nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out. Ryan Valentine, Simon Spender, and Conall Murtagh scored well-taken penalties as Vale matched Wrexham with a trio of successful efforts from the spot. Matty Done put away Wrexham’s next penalty, followed by Danny Whittaker taking Vale’s fourth. He hit the post. This left Chris Llewellyn to score the match-winning penalty that put Wrexham into the 2nd Round draw of the Carling Cup, somewhat against the odds at the beginning of the evening. We’ve now put the disappointment of Darlington behind us, and can look forward to our first home game of the season against league newcomers Morecambe on Saturday.
