______________________________________________________________________ Was it really only 6 months ago since Wrexham, battling against relegation at the business end of the season, went to play-off chasing ‘local’ rivals Shrewsbury to claim a much needed victory? That night the players gave their all in a performance of real team spirit and determination topped off by a memorable Proctor winner late on. This game was a shadow of that encounter, two poor teams low on confidence and ideas in a grim game at the Racecourse, ending in yet another defeat for the home side. Wrexham lined-up for the irksome Sunday mid-day kick-off with on-loan Swansea City midfielder Matty Collins making his debut alongside Garrett in central midfield. Not only was it Collins’s Wrexham debut but his first taste of league football altogether. Mike Carvill also returned to the side on the right of midfield, with Neil Taylor dropping to the bench as Valentine returned. The game was another dire home affair. Until the Shrews’ scored their goal on the hour, they were there for the taking. We had more possession but alarmingly failed to create any worthy chances. Eifion Williams had an effort tipped onto the bar by Glyn Garner as the closest we came to a real attempt on goal. It also has to be said that losing Carvill to injury before half-time was a blow but he was replaced by the equally capable Matty Done. At the beginning of the second-half the Shrews’ came out with a bit more purpose and the pressure was rewarded with a goal for Michael Symes after nearly an hour. After the ball had deflected off Steve Evans it fell kindly for Symes to put through the legs of Anthony Williams into the back of the net. That was pretty much that. From the moment the goal was scored Wrexham never looked like getting back into the game. They panicked, resorted to long balls, and the home crowd understandably became increasingly restless with yet another dreadful display and result. Eventually the final whistle sounded and we’d missed what seemed a great chance before the game to get a confidence boosting win over our local rivals. It’s hard to know what’s worse. The terrible run of results? The terrible all-round performances? The fact we’ve scored only three goals at home all season and don’t look like we’ll ever score there again? That people pay nearly £20 a game to watch this? An increasingly beleaguered manager whose past status as a Wrexham hero is crumbling fast? Being stuck in the relegation zone for most of 2007? The lack of progress in communication, direction and vision shown by those looking after the club’s welfare off the field? It’s a shame that the current on-field crisis and ‘Carey Out’ campaigning are masking things still not quite right at the club off the field, but that’s only normal I suppose as the team and its immediate on-field future come first. On that note: anyone for Wycombe Wanderers at home on Wednesday night? ______________________________________________________________________ No Wrexham fan can stand any more of this. We’ve lost another game to a late goal, from a set-piece, having had a man sent off. To cap it all, the protagonist for our downfall is a player many Wrexham fans consider never to have been good enough for us. Hector Sam would walk into the current side. He has pace, carries a goal threat and plays with a smile on his face. How we’d love a striker like that at the Racecourse now. That’s an indictment of how far we’ve fallen. We began nervously and poorly. After nearly 20 minutes defensive lapses by Gareth Evans and Steve Evans let Spencer Weir-Daley in to score a soft, soft goal. Mark Jones then picked up an injury and was replaced with Silvio Spann. The Trinidadian would go on to have a big impact on the game at both ends of the pitch in the second-half. Following the half-time break Wrexham came out more committed, and pushing forward more often. Half-chances started to be created. Though Silvio still appears to be struggling with the intensity of the game in this country, it was he who provided a spark of hope. With 20 minutes to go he hit a beautiful equaliser that not only got us back into the game, but also gave us the belief we could win it. County, under new management, had been struggling themselves of late and more pressure could have seen them crack. This seemed to be in Brian Carey’s thinking when he replaced Spender with Proctor. Unfortunately this led to Silvio moving to right-back. Shortly after, Hector Sam was introduced. Heading into stoppage time Spann brought down his fellow countrymen as he raced to the edge of the area. Silvio was shown the red card, and County were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position. You can guess the rest…......it finished with a goal for Neil MacKenzie and a win for County. For Wrexham fans another heartbreaking defeat that leaves the club rooted in the relegation zone. It’s unacceptable and the players should know that Brian Carey’s position is becoming untenable and it’s sad to see a Wrexham legend failing, and copping so much abuse from disenchanted Wrexham fans. Whether a change would make any difference it’s difficult to tell given how directionless the club seems off the field too. We have tough derby games coming up next month, as well now as a tough trip to Peterborough in the FA Cup. Emotions are running high amongst fans and Dickens & Moss have to handle the situation with delicacy. It’s over to those two now…
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Rory Sheehan |
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