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The Shrews |
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At the start of the month Shrewsbury were on the fringe
off a play off position in 12th spot but a run of three straight defeats
has seen Shrewsbury drop to 21st position and four points from the
relegation zone. Shrewsbury's home record is considerably better than
their away form and although they have won only four times at the Gay
Meadow, Shrewsbury have recorded six draws and lost only once.
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| Glynn Hurst
could make his debut against Wrexham after joining from Notts
County |
The drawn games is the problem as they have been leading
five games this season but failed to hold onto victory and when they do
fall behind Shrewsbury have not come back to win a game, although they
have drawn three. Attacking wise Shrewsbury have scored 27 times this
season with a league raking of 17 but on the 12 occasions they have
scored first Shrewsbury went on to win six of the games.
Shrewsbury manager Gary Peters, who replaced Micky
Quinn as manager in November 2004, has moved quickly to strengthen his
team's attacking options after capturing the signature of Notts county
striker Glynn Hurst. Hurst was County's top goal scorer with nine goals
in seventeen games this season and his departure from Meadow Lane came
as a
surprise. The striker agreed with the club to have his contract terminated by
mutual consent after Notts County could not afford to pay his bonuses
when he reached 10 goals. Hurst officially became a Shrewsbury Town player when
the transfer window opened on New Year's Day and is in line to make his
debut against Wrexham.
If Hurst does make his debut then he will partner top
scorer Colin McMenamin up front. The former Livingston striker has found
the back of the net seven times this season in the league but is without
a goal in his last six games. |
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Past Encounters |
 The clubs have met on
38 occasions in the league with Wrexham leading the away with 19 victories
compared to Shrewsbury's 12 and there have been 9 draws.
The teams last met in the 2002/03 season with Wrexham winning
2-1 at Shrewsbury courtesy of a last minute goal from Lee Jones after Andy
Morrell opened the scoring in the first half. This result effectively sealed
both side's fait as Wrexham went onto win promotion and Shrewsbury were
relegated to the Conference although they made a quick return to league
football the following year. In the first game at the Racecourse Shrewsbury
led three times in the match but goals from Lee Trundle, Andy Morrell and
Paul Edwards earned Wrexham a 3-3 draw.
Prior to this season the previous encounters were in
1996/97 with Wrexham winning both games, 1-0 at the Gay Meadow and 2-1 at
the Racecourse. |
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Form Guide |
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Wrexham: WDLWDLWL League
Position: 7th (24 games) |
Shrewsbury: DLLWDLLL League
Position: 21st (23 games) |
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Shrewsbury come into the game on the back of three straight
defeats and with only one win in their last eight games. The three defeats
have come away from home after their Wednesday home game against
Macclesfield
fell victim to the weather. Shrewsbury started December by exiting the FA
Cup against League 1 Colchester but they followed this up with a home
victory over Darlington. A draw at home to Boston then followed before they
tasted defeat on their travels at Northampton, Bristol Rovers and
Cheltenham. Wrexham dominated the game against
Grimsby on Saturday but let slip a half time lead to lose 2-1 in the second
half. This was Wrexham's first defeat at home since August and came on the
back of a 2-1 Boxing Day home victory over Rochdale. Prior to Christmas
Wrexham again let a lead slip at Carlisle to lose 2-1 after equalising in
the last minute against Notts County at home. |
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Bookies View |
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Shrewsbury are favourites with Bet 365
offering the best odds at 8/5. The Wrexham victory is priced at 7/4 with
Corals, Betfred and Bet Odd or Even with Pinacle offering the draw at 2.3/1. |
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Team News |
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Wrexham Team News:
Wrexham are without the suspended Danny Williams after the defender picked
up two yellow cards in the 2-1 defeat against Grimsby on the weekend. He
joins the injured Lee McEvilly and Levi Mackin on the sidelines and this is
likely to be the only change to the Wrexham line up. Shaun Pejic is expected
to make his first start since his injury last August as the replacement for
Williams although Paul Warhurst and Mike Williams are alternative options
for Denis Smith.
Wrexham Squad (18): Ingham, Michael Jones, Bayliss, Lawrence, Pejic, Williams, Warhurst, Roche, Whitley, Holt, Spender,
Smith, Ferguson, Crowell, Mark Jones, Walters, Foy, Bennett.
Shrewsbury Team News:
Glynn Hurst is expected to make his debut for Shrewsbury
after signing from Notts County last week. WFellow forward Duane Darby was
rested against Cheltenham but could return, while Joe Hart will hope to keep
his place in goal after overcoming injury.
Officials: The match referee is Kevin Friend from Leicestershire and
he is assisted by Alan Parker and Eddie Tarry with Stephen cook as fourth
official. Kevin friend has refereed only four games this season, sending off
no players and booking 11 at an average of 2.75 per game. Kevin Friend last
refereed Wrexham in the amazing 6-4 victory at Hartlepool last season when
Juan Ugarte scored five! |
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Venue Guide |
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Address:
Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AB.
Telephone Number:
01743 360111
Fax Number:
01743 236384 |
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How to get there? |
| By Car:
Take the A5 to Shrewsbury and when you reach the roundabout with the
junction of the A49/A5112 take the first exit onto the A5112. Straight
on at the next roundabout following signs for the Town centre through
the Meole Brace and Reabrook roundabouts passing Shrewsbury College up
to yet another roundabout. This one has a large Nelson Column statute on
your right and here take the third exit into Abbey Forgate and following
this road down until you come to the Abbey passing the Dun Cow pub on
your left. The ground is further down this road on your right before you
reach the railway bridge. Distance = 32 miles, Time = 1 hour. By
Train:
Nearest Train Station is Shrewsbury and is a short walk from the ground by
heading over the railway bridge and bear right down to the ground. Click here for the Rail
Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950. |
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When you are there |
| Car Parking: The
Abbey Forgate car park is on your left hand side after 1/2 mile passing
the Dun Cow pub and is free after 6:30pm. There is parking behind the
away end at the ground (£2.00) and there is further town centre parking
if you follow the signs past the ground. Cash Machines:
Look on Castle Street or St Mary's Street. |
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How much to get in? |
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This game is all ticket with tickets available from Wrexham AFC up to
3pm on the day of the game.
Seats:
Adults £15.00, Concessions £10.00
Terrace:
Adults £13.00, concessions £8.00 |
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Disabled Facilities |
| There are 8 parking spaces available for
away fans in the away end car park although access to the away area is
sloped an uneven. There are 8 wheelchair spaces for away fans in the
corner of the Wakeman Stand but the one toilet is situated alongside
the home entrance and catering facilities are not dedicated. |
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Weather Forecast |
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Clear skies with temperatures dropping to 1 degrees Celsius
and a 10 mph westerly wind. |
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League 2 Results from Monday |
Boston United 1 Leyton Orient 2
Chester 0 Oxford United 1
Darlington 3 Torquay 2
Grimsby 1 Carlisle 2
Mansfield 0 Lincoln City 0
Notts County 1 Barnet 0
Peterborough 4 Bury 1
Rochdale 1 Northampton 1
Rushden & Diamonds 2 Bristol Rovers 3
Stockport 2 Cheltenham 2
Wycombe 4 Macclesfield 5 |
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