|
Match Report |
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS: Now or never
really if we are to go up via the play offs. Not bothered about he
performance but we need a result to end this run of four straight
defeats.
CONDITIONS: Cloudy and warm.
SUM UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE SENTENCE: Lacked fight, motivation,
organisation and a leader – we are going through the motions.
TURNING POINT: Stockport’s second knocked the stuffing out of
Wrexham when we were on top in the game.
MAIN INCIDENTS AND GOALS:
Denis Smith made changes to personnel, but not the system, in an attempt
to end Wrexham’s run of four straight defeats. Danny Williams was moved
into midfield with Mike Williams recalled to defence and Sam Williams
also started in midfield. This meant Matt Crowell was on the bench and
you can only assume Mark Jones was injured, as he was sitting in the
stands. In one final change, Jon Walters replaced Lee McEvilly up front.
Despite these changes, Wrexham got off to a poor start and County had
opportunities before they opened the scoring with only six minutes on
the clock. The best chance fell to Bramble but his poor control meant he
over ran the ball out for a goal kick.
Wrexham conceded a free kick on the left that was delivered to the edge
of the area. Lawrence never really challenged Bramble for the ball and
his knock down into the box was pounced on by Ashley Williams who headed
past Ingham from twelve yards out.
Wrexham looked disorganised at the back with Lawrence particularly
uncomfortable playing in the middle of the back three. It was from
another set play that County almost doubled their lead, as Wrexham again
failed to pick up the blue shirts in the box. Thankfully, on this
occasion, Bramble could only steer his header into the arms on Ingham
after Wrexham had failed to clear the simple floated ball in.
Griffin’s pace got him in behind Pejic down the Wrexham right but Pejic
recovered and although his challenge appeared to get a fair bit of the
Stockport striker, the referee turned down appeals for a penalty. The
ref made the same gesture only minutes later when Bramble broke clear of
Lawrence but he went down to easy in the box from the faintest of
touches from Lawrence.
A poor pass from Mike Williams but Wrexham on the back foot and the
defence could not regroup in time with Wrexham getting a let off after
Bramble failed to control Griffin’s centre from the right.
 Then
all of the sudden, Wrexham sprung into life and looked dangerous for the
first time in the game. The best chance came following good approach
play by Andy Holt down the left but when Derbyshire got his shot away,
an excellent save from James Spencer denied Wrexham the equaliser.
Wrexham did not have to wait long for it though, as Spender drew the
scores level in the next attack. Ferguson delivered a set play into the
box that Jon Walters managed to head downwards and Spender reacted the
quickest to hammer the ball past Spencer from roughly 15 yards.
The equaliser came with seven minutes on the half left and with Wrexham
on top. What happened next was just inexcusable as Wrexham were again
undone by a routine free kick into the box only four minutes later.
Danny Williams was penalised for hand ball but the free kick was delayed
as Lawrence and Bramble ended up in the book for taking their personal
feud too far. This delay must have unsettled Wrexham, as they completely
switched off for the free kick because Michael Raynes rose unchallenged
to find the corner of the net with Ingham having no chance of making the
save.
You would have expected Wrexham to come out with all guns blazing at the
start of the second half but it was another gutless performance. Walters
had a header on goal from Holt’s cross that was easily saved and the
introduction of McEvilly for Derbyshire on the hour mark almost paid an
immediate dividend.
McEvilly chased down the Stockport defender at the corner flag and his
presence was enough to win the ball back. McEvilly fed Spender and his
deep cross was headed by Holt into the side netting at the back post,
although the angle was always a tight one.
Alex Smith and Matt Crowell were brought on but it was Stockport who had
the best of the play and had a huge penalty appeal from fans and players
turned down for a handball shout.
With twenty minutes left, Stockport should have out the game beyond
Wrexham following another good run from the impressive Griffin. He found
Dickinson with his cross and after Ingham charged down his first effort,
he swung a leg and his goalbound shot was cleared off the line by Mike
Williams.
Wrexham were poor with shots from Crowell and Smith sailing high over
the bar. The second half was again a non event for Wrexham with James
Spencer having little to do in the Stockport goal. He was having such a
quiet afternoon, he was chatting with the away fans behind his goal and
admitted we were so bad because he normally had to work his bollocks off
every game!
OPPOSITION AND FANS: Both were up for it and got the victory they
deserved. Should also be safe from relegation with a couple of more
performances but we were there for the taking.
OFFICIALS: Did not really notice him.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Andy Holt – he was the best of a bad bunch.
IF YOU WERE DENIS SMITH: Ask the players how much they want
League 1 football, as the effort today was just not good enough. |
|
Match Reaction |
|
 Denis Smith:
"We were poor from start to
finish"
Darren Ferguson:
"We were poor from start to
finish"
Denis Smith: "I was embarrassed by our defending in
the first 35 minutes! No one took responsibility at set pieces and I had the
Land of the Giants out there today. I can't remember losing four league
games on the bounce in my career and don't forget we also lost to Swansea in
the Welsh Cup Final. If any of the players are happy with our present
situation, then they have no place at the club. We are soft touch at the
moment and Bristol Rovers must be rubbing their hands at the prospect of
playing us on Monday. Just put a high ball into our box and you cause us
problems?" [Source:
Wrexham AFC] |
|
|
Match Notes |
| Venue |
Edgeley Park |
| Attendance |
4,750 |
| Half Time |
Stockport County 2 Wrexham 1 |
| Referee |
Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire) |
|
|
Other Match Reports |
|
BBC Radio Wales Match Report
BBC: Stockport 2-1 Wrexham
Stockport County FC: COUNTY 2 WREXHAM 1
TEAMtalk: Losing streak continues for Dragons
Wales on Sunday: Smith's boys in trouble - again
Wrexham AFC: Stockport 2 Wrexham 1
Wrexham MAD: Stockport County 2 Wrexham 1 |
|
League 2 Results |
|
Bristol Rovers 1 Carlisle 1
Chester 1 Wycombe 0
Darlington 0 Northampton 1
Grimsby 1 Shrewsbury 1
Lincoln City 1 Bury 1
Mansfield 0 Leyton Orient 1
Notts County 1 Macclesfield 1
Oxford United 2 Barnet 0
Peterborough 0 Boston United 1
Rushden & Diamonds 1 Rochdale 1
Stockport 2 Wrexham 1
Torquay 1 Cheltenham 2 |
|
League 2 Table |
|
Pos |
Team |
Pld |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Carlisle United |
41 |
40 |
78 |
|
2 |
Northampton Town |
42 |
21 |
73 |
|
3 |
Leyton Orient |
42 |
14 |
73 |
|
4 |
Grimsby Town |
42 |
19 |
72 |
|
5 |
Wycombe Wanderers |
42 |
16 |
65 |
|
6 |
Cheltenham Town |
42 |
6 |
65 |
|
7 |
Peterborough United |
42 |
11 |
59 |
| 8 |
Lincoln City |
42 |
8 |
58 |
| 9 |
Darlington |
42 |
6 |
58 |
| 10 |
Bristol Rovers |
42 |
-6 |
57 |
| 11 |
Shrewsbury Town |
42 |
-1 |
55 |
| 12 |
Wrexham |
42 |
7 |
54 |
| 13 |
Boston United |
42 |
-11 |
54 |
| 14 |
Mansfield Town |
42 |
-1 |
52 |
| 15 |
Chester City |
42 |
-4 |
52 |
| 16 |
Macclesfield Town |
42 |
-9 |
50 |
| 17 |
Notts County |
42 |
-12 |
50 |
| 18 |
Oxford United |
42 |
-10 |
48 |
| 19 |
Rochdale |
40 |
-4 |
47 |
| 20 |
Bury |
42 |
-13 |
47 |
| 21 |
Stockport County |
41 |
-17 |
47 |
| 22 |
Barnet |
41 |
-15 |
45 |
|
23 |
Rushden and Diamonds |
42 |
-24 |
45 |
|
24 |
Torquay United |
41 |
-21 |
39 |
|
|
Next Game |
|
Bristol
Rovers (h),
Coca Cola League 2
Monday 17
April 2006, Kick Off @ 15:00 |
|
73'
68'
45'
73'
68'
45'