Peterborough United

v Wrexham

Tuesday 25 October 2005

 

Kick Off @ 19:45



The Posh

Mark WrightPeterborough manager Mark Wright was delighted with his players performance in the 3-1 win over high flying Rochdale at London Road on the weekend. Posh's boss said: "We have learnt how to win matches as a team - we have got pace wide, some good centre-backs and Lee Thorpe has made a difference, while Danny Crow was class. He is the best finisher at the club and I'm delighted he scored two goals."

Lee Thorpe's arrival from Swansea on loan has coincided with an upturn in Posh's fortunes with the striker playing a vital part in the impressive 4-0 win at Macclesfield on the previous weekend. Thorpe's arrival at the beginning of October has allowed Wright to let Northern Ireland international James Quinn join league One Bristol City on a month's loan with a view to a permanent move when the transfer window re opens.

Wright has been busy in the loan market and as well as signing Thorpe he has secured the services of midfielders Jamie Hand from Watford and Adam Miller from QPR, although Miller has now returned to Loftus Road but Hand has agreed to another month's stay with Peterborough.

Like Wrexham, Peterborough's top scorer does not come from their front men with winger Dave Farrell leading the way on four goals in the league and striker Danny Cow is only one behind on three. Enjoying his ninth season at London Road the former Villa and Wycombe winger is having a better start to the season after he struggled to hold down a starting place last season.

Recent Encounters

Dennis LawrenceBoth games between the sides last season ended in draws and when totalling the points up come the end of the season the failure to win any of these games played a part in relegation from League One for both teams.

Wrexham looked to be heading for another hammering at London Road as they trailed to two first half goals but there was no repeat of the 6-1 defeat like in the previous season as Wrexham fought back for a 2-2 draw.

In the first game at the Racecourse Wrexham left it late as Dennis Lawrence cancelled out Callum Willock's first half strike with a goal three minutes before full time.

Peterborough just lead Wrexham on the head to head with 21 victories in the 51 games played between the two teams. Wrexham have won 17 of the encounters and there have been 13 draws.

Form Guide

Wrexham: LDDLWWLL Peterborough: LWLLLWWW
Peterborough go into the match on the back of three successive victories but prior to this run they had recorded three straight defeats. A disappointing home defeat to Shrewsbury was followed up with defeats on the road at Cheltenham and Boston. Mark Wright blasted some of his players effort during this game but they responded in the correct manner with a 4-0 thrashing of their hosts Macclesfield. An extra time win over Bristol Rovers in the LDV was followed by another impressive win, this time seeing off Rochdale 3-1 at London Road on the weekend.

Wrexham have only recorded two victories in their last eight games although they should be going into this game on the back of four straight wins but poor defending at Blackpool and Bristol Rovers resulted in Wrexham throwing away leading positions by conceding late goals in both games. Prior to this Wrexham had two comfortable victories over Stockport and Torquay at the Racecourse but their away form has been the problem with draws against Leyton Orient and Macclesfield sandwiched in between comprehensive defeats at Lincoln and Wycombe.

Bookies View

With Wrexham yet to win on their travels it is no surprise that Peterborough are favourites with the best price of 1.03/1 at Pinnacle with the draw next at 12/5 with Stan James and Bet 365. Wrexham are outsiders with Centrebet pricing the away win at 53/20 (2.65/1).

Team News

Wrexham Team News: On loan striker Juan Ugarte has been ruled out after he picked up a knee injury in the first half at Bristol Rovers and there are concerns over Danny Williams after the midfielder failed to train on Monday. Matt Crowell is included in the travelling party although he is not match fit and Wrexham remain without the services of Dean Bennett (ankle), Shaun Pejic (ligaments), Lee Roche (hernia) and Jim Whitley (knee).

Michael Ingham continues in goal but there is likely to be changes in front of him with Paul Warhurst expected to be recalled to shore up the leaky defence. This will mean a reshuffle of the back three with Dave Bayliss and Dennis Lawrence taking the two places alongside Warhurst. This will allow Andy Holt to possibly move out to his natural left wing position at the expense of Alex Smith, although Smith may be required in midfield if Danny Williams is ruled out. Another possibility would be Levi Mackin to take the final place in midfield alongside Darren Ferguson and Mark Jones with Simon Spender continuing at right wing back. Up front Lee McEvilly or Robbie Foy will partner Jon Walters in the absence of the injured Dean Bennett and Juan Ugarte.

Wrexham Squad (17): Ingham, Michael Jones, Mike Williams, Lawrence, Bayliss, Holt, Smith, Danny Williams, Mark Jones, Ferguson, Walters, Foy, Mackin, Warhurst, Spender, McEvilly, Crowell.

Peterborough Team News:
Peterborough striker Calum Willock faces a late fitness test on a calf strain ahead of Wrexham's visit. Defender Chris Plummer is also a doubt with a rib injury, while Peter Kennedy, Jamie Day (both calf) and Shane Huke (foot) are still missing whilst midfielder Adam Miller has returned to QPR following the end of a one month loan spell at London Road.

Officials: The match referee is Mick Russell from Hertfordshire and he is assisted by Ron James and John Lodge with John Pearce as fourth official. Mick Russell has refereed 12 games this season sending off one player and booking 24 at an average of 2 per game.

Venue Guide

Address: London Road Ground, London Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE2 8AL.

Telephone Number: 01733 563947

Fax Number: 01733 344140

Peterborough Websites

How to get there?

By Car: Leave the M6 at juunction 1 or the M1 at junction 19 and join the A14 towards Kettering. After 30 miles turn left to join the A605 and follow this road until it meets with the junction of the A1(M) where you go straight on at the roundabout onto the A1139 Fletton Parkway into Peterborough. Leave at the third junction turning left at the roundabout into the A1260 and at the first junction on this road turning right at the roundabout and at the next roundabout head left onto Shrewsbury Avenue. You will then come to a T-junction by Longueville Autos where you turn right onto the A605 Oundle Road and after a mile the Council Car Park will be on your left. The ground will then be a short walk away to your right further up this road. Take care as there is a high number of speed cameras on the road to Peterborough. Allow at least 3 hours from Wrexham.

By Train: Nearest Train Station is Peterborough and is about a mile away from the ground and will take you 20 minutes to walk. Turn right out of the station into the car park and follow steps onto the main road and then right by passing the Evening Telegraph on your left and the ASDA store on your right. Turn right near the traffic lights by Woolworths into Bridge Street and go straight over the railway bridge and the mini-roundabout. You will now see the floodlights and follow this road to London Road on your left. Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.

When you are there
Car Parking: The council car park off the directions above costs only £1.50 and there is a car park at the ground but this costs £4.00. The Cherry Tree Pub charge £2.00 to park your car there but you get this money back off your pint if you show your parking ticket.

Beer and Grub: The Cherry Tree pub is popular with away fans and is located just before the entrance to the council car park. The Peacock is the only other pub nearby and be found by heading down London Road past the ground and is located to the right of the traffic lights by the KFC. There are other alternative in the two centre under 10 minutes away. I have also read that the Bridge pub is a gay pub on none-matchdays.

Cash Machines: There are a selection of machines at the ASDA store on your way to the ground.

How much to get in?

Main Stand: Adults £18, OAPs/Students £10, Under 16s £9. This stand was only open on our visit to London Road last season.

Moyes End Terrace: Adults £13, OAPs/Students £10, Under 16s £9.

Disabled Facilities

There are 30 parking spaces are available but these must be pre booked by contacting Debby Corry on 01733 563947. There are 10 away spaces in the elevated area of the terrace which does improve the view of the pitch. Adapted toilets and catering are located at the far end of the Thomas Cook Family Stand but this is quite a trek for away fans. There are 2 visual spaces located in the press box. There are unlimited ambulant spaces in the North Stand on request with helpers sitting alongside.

Weather Forecast

Light showers with temperatures dropping to 12 degrees Celsius and a 24 mph south westerly wind.