Match Report

By: Mark Williams

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS: One point from the last two games means we have to get back to winning ways with two home games in a week.

CONDITIONS: Dry and cold but temperatures remained above freezing.

SUM UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE SENTENCE: Second half we played some decent football but least said about the first half the better.

TURNING POINT: Three goals in twelve minutes at the start of the second half turned the game around for Wrexham.

MAIN INCIDENTS AND GOALS:

Mansfield looked lively at the start and forced three corners in the opening ten minutes following confusion in the Wrexham defence. Ingham made a good save to deny D’Laryea and then pulled off another close range save from Dawson.

For some reason Wrexham persisted with high balls up to the front two in the first half and although Wrexham won the majority of the first headers it was hit and miss if the ball fell to a red shirt. This resulted in Pressman not being called into action on too many occasions with Wrexham only crating two note worthy chances.

The first came when McEvilly drifted out to the left wing and delivered a dangerous inswinging cross into the area that a defender had to glance behind for a corner with Walters close to converting with a header. McEvilly was again the creator for the other chance when he was picked out in space in the area and his header back was perfect for Ferguson but his goal bound shot was deflected wide for a corner.

With six minutes of the half remaining Wrexham conceded a needless penalty when Danny Williams made a hash of his clearance flicking the ball back over his head into the danger area. Williams tried to redeem himself but he was penalised for a shirt pull on Richard Barker although by the time his team mate had converted from twelve yards the referee had awarded the penalty. Barker took the penalty well sending Ingham the wrong way from twelve yards.

Mark Jones had a wrong range effort that went over the bar as the first half came to an end with Wrexham a goal down.

The second half was different story as Wrexham played the ball on the ground and got their just rewards with three goals in the opening fifteen minutes. Four minutes after the restart and Wrexham were awarded a corner with Matt Crowell on set piece duty for the game he floated the ball to roughly the penalty area where Danny Williams was unmarked and he found the net with a well directed header.

Four minuets later and Wrexham turned the game full circle claiming their second of the game. It was a good move with Roche picking out McEvilly on the edge of the area and the inform striker took the ball down well and converted with a well placed shot from eighteen yards into the bottom corner.

There was still more to come from Wrexham as they raced into a two goal lead on the hour mark. Walters and Ferguson played a neat one two with Ferguson’s ball back to Walters inch perfect for the striker and as he burst into the box he tucked the ball under Pressman for a well taken third.

Wrexham were buoyant but if anything took there foot of the pedal and a better quality side would have punished them. Williams lost the ball on the half way line and it took a lunging challenge from Lawrence to block a shot from substitute Russell and Lawrence was again called into action when a ball was crossed back from the touch line after poor marking at the back post.

Ingham then made a flying save when a free kick from the left was headed goalwards by Rhys Day but with Wrexham looking like they were starting to crumble they broke up the other end of the pitch and Mark Jones helped himself to a fourth goal.

Jones was picked out with a through ball from Walters and with Pressman advancing off his line Jones calmly lifted the ball over the stranded keeper for a spectacular fourth which was probably harsh on Mansfield.

OPPOSITION AND FANS: Mansfield started off well but as soon as Wrexham got the ball down in the second half cracks started to appear in their defence. 141 fans made the trip, which is good for a Tuesday night in December, but they will go home disappointed after their second half performance.

OFFICIALS: Denied Wrexham a penalty in the first half when McEvilly and a defender collided in the box but completely missed a stone waller when a Mansfield payer was brought down when the score was 3-1.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Lee McEvilly again as he was Wrexham’s main threat and finished the crucial second goal well from the edge of the area.

IF YOU WERE DENIS SMITH: Wish we started playing the second half football at the beginning of the game as we look far more dangerous when we play the ball on the ground and this opened up the Mansfield defence.

Match Reaction

Denis Smith: "The first half was as bad as any during my four years at the club," he said. "Credit though to my team for the way they recovered in the second-half, but I was glad to come in at just one down after 45 minutes. We were much livelier after half-time and scored some good goals. The two strikers always looked dangerous and Michael Ingham gave a good performance at the other end. We know that we have to work on the bit in between. If you can win 4-1 and not play well then I will take it but we know this won't happen every week. The finishing though was quality. We work on things in training and it's nice when they actually work in match situations. We scored some good goals tonight and Mark Jones' will be replayed a number of times. He has all the ability in the world but sometimes disappears. Although when he turns up he is liable to produce something special. Danny Williams has not had the best of games but he has produced a goal. I have been happy with his displays throughout the season, even if he will have gone home tonight knowing that he didn't play his best."

 

Peter Shirtliff: "We were not clinical in our finishing at one end and leaked goals at the other, which is a recipe for disaster. At half-time I was quietly confident as Wrexham had not caused us problems, except at set-pieces. We have had numerous chances, hit the bar, but still conceded goals, not one or two but three or four which is ridiculous. Back in the dressing room, I told my players that it was just not to be our night. We battled hard but just couldn't get the ball in the back of the net. I feel that we did enough to have got something from this game, but things like the first fifteen minutes of the second-half have cost us dear".

Quotes from Wrexham AFC

Wrexham

Starting XI:

01	Michael Ingham
04	Dave Bayliss
08	Danny Williams
06	Dennis Lawrence
15	Lee Roche
16	Matt Crowell
17	Mark Jones 88'
10	Darren Ferguson
03	Alex Smith
09	Jon Walters
11	Lee McEvilly 84'

Subs:

05	Paul Warhurst 88'
12	Dean Bennett 84'
13	Michael Jones (GK)
20	Simon Spender
25	Mike Williams

Stats:

Mansfield Town

Starting XI:

01	Kevin Pressman
02	Gavin Peers 75'
05	Rhys Day
06	Alex Baptise
03	Gareth Jelleyman
11	Adam Birchall 63'
07	Stephen Dawson 56'
15	Giles Coke
08	Gus Uhlenbeek
27	Jonathon D'Laryea
09	Richard Barker

Subs:

12	Jake Buxton 56'
13	Jason White (GK)
18	Adam Rundle
20	Simon Brown 63'
23	Allan Russell 75'

Stats:

Match Notes

Other Match Reports

BBC: Wrexham 4-1 Mansfield

TEAMtalk: Wrexham record stylish win

Wrexham AFC: Wrexham 4 Mansfield Town 1

Wrexham MAD: Wrexham 4 Mansfield Town 1

League 2 Results

Barnet 1 Bury 1 (Saturday)

Lincoln City 2 Macclesfield Town 2 (Saturday)

Cheltenham 1 Oxford United 2
Grimsby 4 Rochdale 1
Leyton Orient 0 Chester 1
Peterborough 2 Notts County 0
Rushden & Diamonds 0 Carlisle 4
Shrewsbury 3 Darlington 1
Stockport 0 Bristol Rovers 1
Torquay 3 Northampton 3
Wrexham 4 Mansfield 1
Wycombe 1 Boston United 1

League 2 Table

Next Game

Notts County (h), Coca Cola League 2

Saturday 10 December 2005, Kick Off @ 15:00