Thanks again to Rory Sheehan who will be providing match reports and feature articles
Wrexham 3 York 1
In his first home game as manager Dean Saunders managed to achieve after only a few days, that which his predecessor failed to manage in 10 months: Back-to-back victories! Not only did ‘Deano’ preserve his 100% record so far but at times, his side did it with style. The game was packed with incident as the 5,000+ crowd who took advantage of the reduced ticket prices were rewarded.
The line-up contained a few surprises. Silvio Spann made his first appearance of the season on the right, while on-loan Swansea City teenager Joe Allen started in place of Mackin. Tremarco came in for Nat Brown, and 19 year-old Neil Taylor became possibly the youngest-ever Wrexham captain, aged 19, in what was overall a side packed with youth. Ex-Red Mike Ingham was in goal for York and received a warm reception back at the Racecourse.
It took Spann just 30 seconds to get stuck in with a sliding tackle that set the tone of the evening. Despite neat play from both sides it was some time before either team had a clear-cut opportunity. Ward punched away from a free-kick and up at the other end Spann used his pace to break away and fire a long-range shot that Ingham did well to parry over.
Both teams went even closer as half-time drew near. Steve Evans had a header from a corner stopped on the line before defensive lapses gave their wide-man Simon Russell two openings. Fortunately for Wrexham he dragged his shots wide, spurning a couple of golden opportunities.
Early in the second-half Louis incensed the away fans with his part in a tussle with York’s Rusk, but got away with a yellow card from an increasingly pedantic referee. In truth York were on top and Ward had to be at his best to keep them out, though Spann again tested Ingham from long-range.
Controversially the referee awarded York a penalty on the hour as Andy Fleming ‘appeared’ to haul down Rusk in the area. Craig Farrell stepped up only to see Ward make a great double save and the ball cleared away. It was the game’s turning point.
Minutes later and a great solo run and some brilliant close control from Allen ended with the little 18 year-old smashing home an unstoppable shot to give Wrexham the lead. It was some debut goal!
Wrexham grew in confidence putting together a fine passing game that brought more opportunities. York countered by bringing on Richard Brodie who had caused us numerous problems in the away game. However his night lasted just 6 minutes. Booked for dissent almost immediately, he went in foolishly on Mike Williams, seeing a second yellow card followed by the red.
Despite our one man advantage York were getting back into the game. Spann went off to be replaced by Levi Mackin. Spann received an ovation for his best-performance in a Wrexham shirt so far, while Mackin’s introduction provoked numerous groans.
However it was Mackin who set up captain Neil Taylor for his first senior goal. A lay-off from Louis gave Mackin the opportunity to pull the ball back in the area for Taylor to strike home.
On the 90-minute mark York pulled a goal back when a long punt down the centre wasn’t dealt with by our creaky defence. Ben Wilkinson (son of former Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson) got on the end of it to tap home.
Into stoppage-time, any nerves that were creeping in were banished when another quick passing move finished with Marc Williams curling a beautiful right-foot shot past a beaten Ingham into the bottom corner. Game over, but still enough time for the referee to dismiss Saunders from the dug-out, also for dissent!
At the end the Racecourse faithful showed their appreciation for ‘Deano’ and the efforts of his young side and had done all evening. We deserved the win, the youngsters (and Silvio!) really stepped up to the mark, and we are starting to play the sort of pass and move game we longed for throughout the dour, uninspired Little era.
Joe Allen in particular looks several notches up in quality compared to the rest of the BSP with his superior movement, awareness, mobility, close control, precise passing and fierce shot. I just hope he’s here long enough to get up to full match fitness and get to know his team-mates as he could be very influential for us and took his goal brilliantly.
There’s still plenty to sort out, particularly in defence, but for now the signs are good that the Saunders reign will be a happy one…
Categories :
Archives