Wrexham pegged back by late equaliser
By: Alun Thomas
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS: Last time we were in this unlovely division,
we had a prolific goalscorer, a cult figure, an inspirational captain,
possibly the best player in the division and a relatively injury-free
season. Morrell, Trundle, Carey and Carlos have gone, and we have
already had to apply for special dispensation to bolster our wafer-thin
squad. Mike Ingham is missing today, injured during Tuesday’s dismal
reverse at Lincoln, and is replaced by “Carrots” Jones against an Orient
side who have lost three out of four at home.
CONDITIONS: Bright, late autumn sunshine.
TACTICS: Straight 3 – 5 – 2.
SUM UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE SENTENCE: ‘Twas ever thus…..we were
the better side in both halves but couldn’t find the killer passes to
wrap things up.
TURNING POINT: Probably our opener – up until then we’d been
playing some reasonable stuff, but we faded from then on.
MAIN INCIDENTS AND GOALS:
After the usual early flurries from the home side, in which Bennett and
Linwood distinguished themselves, and Carrots held onto a long range
drive to give him a confidence boost, we settled into our familiar role
as the better footballing side. There was some decent stuff on offer,
with Ferguson always involved (just as well, with Jonah out of sorts)
and Foy looking lively early on.
Orient saw a couple of efforts whistle high and wide while Wrexham’s
final ball or cross was always a bridge too far. Lawrence’s barnstorming
run, before setting up Jonah who scuffed his shot, was probably the
highlight of the half.
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A lot of people were angry at the
ref but we also should have taken some of the blame as we just
lost our way
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From Draigfach
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As the second period began, the force seemed to remain with us as
Bennett and Smith got forward with pleasing regularity, although the
former does tend to over-elaborate. Walters, not the most mobile but a
willing grafter, also impressed, but the goal took everyone by surprise.
The ball broke to Ferguson thirty yards out, and he had a clear run in
on the keeper, but our skipper, presumably painfully aware of his lack
of pace, instantly unleashed a fulminating low drive past home gloveman
Glyn Garner. A tremendous, beautiful goal.
In fact the strike seemed to go to Fergie’s head – he had two efforts
from similar distance saved within ten minutes of the goal but our play
became scrappier as the half wore on and old doubts resurfaced. The
referee didn’t help matters with some over-officious stuff, one of which
brought a free-kick to the O’s which would have caused more trouble to
the driver of a nearby crane (if he’d been there) than Carrots. Our
young keeper also held on to a swerving long-range free-kick but he’s a
bit hesitant on crosses and ten minutes from time this proved partly our
undoing as the hosts’ Alexander (unmarked, incidentally) headed in from
close range.
That was about it, really, although Denis’s late triple substitution was
probably too late to have any effect. Warhurst for Williams a bit sooner
would have made more sense.
OPPOSITION AND FANS: Defensively I thought Orient looked pretty
sound, but they were weaker in midfield and up front. Their fans were
friendly both before and after the game, but very quiet until their
goal.
OFFICIALS: Mr. Desmond of Wiltshire didn’t emerge with much
credit, I’m afraid – many of his antics smacked of a heavy ego trip.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Alex Smith. He’s not universally popular, and
I’m not sure why, but his was a calm yet committed display today –
always available for the wide ball, excellent control, decent crosses
and he even turned up a right-back at one point with a crucial tackle.
IF YOU WERE DS: I’d be disappointed – but used to it by now.
POST-MATCH THOUGHTS: Given our injury problems, a point away from
home is not to be sneezed at. The feeling persists, though, that we
should have taken all three points.
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