Accrington 0 Wrexham 2

We were looking for a response and we got one. The lads achieved our first away win in the league this season, our second win in a week plus another clean sheet. We also went some way towards banishing the horrible memory of Accrington away last season, and more recently the drubbing by Chesterfield just days earlier.

No-one knew what to expect at kick-off. We could only hope that the players had the mental strength and ability to overcome Tuesday’s setback quickly and convincingly.

This time they didn’t let us down, and the fans encouragingly stuck by them and gave great support. A fine team performance was spearheaded by one of our most criticised players this season, Neil Roberts coming back to his best.

Everything clicked for him last night. Michael Proctor was restored to the side after suspension along with Simon Spender and Shaun Pejic, in place of Marc Williams, Steve Evans and Mike Carvill. Proctor started up front alongside Roberts, and with Mark Jones and Chris Llewellyn also getting back on form, we meant business.

We put early pressure on Accrington and kept it up throughout the first-half, the home side barely troubling our defence. The only concern was the lack of a goal but less than 10 minutes before half-time it arrived. Neil Roberts coolly curled home past a stranded goalkeeper, after Chris Llewellyn’s initial shot had been deflected into Robbo’s path.

Following the odd wobble at the back from Wrexham as Accrington came forward, we held out to half-time.

Steve Evans appeared in place of Danny Williams at the break as we started the second-half in much the same way as we did during the first period. With an hour gone a counter-attack culminated in Mark Jones providing a fantastic cross volleyed home by Neil Roberts to make it 2-0.It was a goal made and scored by a team gaining in confidence.

With 20 minutes to go ex-Wrexham striker Lee McEvilly was introduced from the bench for Accrington. ‘Evil’ relished his battle with Evans but couldn’t take any of the chances that came his way, thus missing an opportunity to prove us wrong. ‘Accy’ also brought on the lively Shaun Whalley but it was Wrexham that came closest near the end with Proctor missing a good opportunity.

Neil Roberts and Mark Jones were substituted late on to good ovations from Wrexham fans. Both have lacked confidence and form recently but seem to have recaptured both at Accrington. If they play well, the team plays well.

The win was well-deserved and shows that the lads have the mental strength, hunger and ability to bounce back quickly from setbacks and learn from their mistakes. Credit goes to Brian Carey for not throwing in the towel as many had been calling for him to do. This was a tricky fixture no doubt about it, and his job was said to be on the line, but he and the players handled the pressure well.

It’s been a bizarre week but we’d have taken two wins out of three before the Lincoln game. With over a week until the next game (Macclesfield away) players, manager and fans can relax a bit, but mustn’t become complacent….

 

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Wrexham 0 Chesterfield 4

Following Saturday’s win at home to Lincoln, a few fans were starting to become cautiously optimistic that we had a chance of building on that result at home to Chesterfield.

For the first time this season Brian Carey picked the same team for consecutive games, as many fans had called for. Chesterfield, recently relegated from ‘League 1’ would be tough, but surely we could give anyone a game at home? The shameful aspect of the defeat is that we didn’t even give Chesterfield a game, but the 3 points instead.

We didn’t test how good they really were, because we were too busy making life so easy for them.

Within 5 minutes the Spireites loan player Felix Bastians had put in a simple cross which Wrexham ‘keeper Anthony Williams failed grasp cleanly. That led to Jack Lester, unopposed by anyone wearing a Wrexham shirt, to put away for 1-0. This early setback should have been the catalyst for us to tighten up at the back and really have a go. Just 60 seconds later however, Bastians raced down the left again totally unchallenged to cross for Adam Rooney to score this time. After just 13 minutes Rooney was the provider for Lester to score again from a header. Hard to believe this same Wrexham defence were so composed and solid in keeping their first clean sheet of the season on Saturday.

The defence weren’t alone in this though. The rest of the game became a practice match for Chesterfield as they knocked the ball about while a deflated, confidence-sapped, Wrexham midfield and forward line chased them aimlessly.

Marc Williams had gone off injured for Chris Llewellyn but it changed nothing. Chesterfield grabbed their final goal after an hour when the defence backed off again as the Spireites approached the area, and Peter Levin fired home. Simon Spender was brought on in place of Carvill as the game petered out, and Chesterfield gave run-outs to a few of their own subs. It was an embarrassing end to a painful evening.

Needless to say chants of ‘We want Carey out’ and ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ rang around the Racecourse at the end. I’m not sure what Carey could do though if some of his defence forget the absolute basics of their job and leave us in a near impossible position after quarter of an hour.

Perhaps he could have inspired us to a Spurs style comeback but it never looked like happening. The attitude didn’t seem to be there. Neil Taylor played well, didn’t really put a foot wrong but was let down by his experienced players. At 18, maybe one day he’ll play in a more worthy Wrexham side.

It’s just not on. Most true fans don’t want to have a go at specific players or the team in general. However, a few need to remember that fans pay £15/£17+ of their hard earned cash through the turnstiles. They shouldn’t be resigned to a defeat after a non-contest just 15 minutes later.

We’re back in the relegation zone with a game on Friday at Accrington, fast becoming one of our bogey sides. I’m sure we’ll see an improved performance though, after a bit of thinking time, and tweaking to the line-up.

Most players do care, and are hurt by defeats like this. I just hope it helps inspire them to raise their game from Friday onwards. It’s the least we deserve.

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Supporting Wrexham Fc