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Match Report |
Wrexham recorded their first win under
Brian Carey’s stewardship and it was a welcome three points following a
second half comeback that resulted in us climbing out of the League Two
relegation zone after all other results went our way.
Wrexham played well through the first half but lacked that cutting edge
and found ourselves trailing from a Oliver Allen goal at the break although
Barnet should have increased their lead towards the end of the first half.
But a double strike from Lee McEvilly in the space of three minutes
around the hour mark secured the three points although Barnet had chance
later on when Michael Ingham was forced into making one point blank save
and Llewellyn was unlucky when his late effort struck the woodwork
Forgetting the game at Newport, Brian Carey made four changes from the
game against Shrewsbury with Michael Ingham crucially returning to the
starting line up with John Ruddy dropping to the bench.
Shaun Pejic replaced the suspended Steve Evans with Danny Williams
dropping back from midfield to partner him in the centre of defence and
Mike Williams replaced Ryan valentine at left back, whilst Lee Roche
continued on the right.
Robbie Garrett and Jeff Whitley formed a strong midfield that provided a
solid platform for the win with Mark Jones and Chris Llewellyn operating
on either flank as Lee McEvilly joined Neil Roberts upfront.
Wrexham started the brighter of the two teams and looked in determined
fashion but for all their endeavour they were unable to force any shots
on target.
Despite Wrexham’s positive start, it was Barnet who were first to test
the goalkeeper when the impressive Puncheon tested Ingham after cutting
in from his wing.
Wrexham’s best effort came midway through the first half when McEvilly
was supplied form midfield but he was off target with his shot from the
edge of the area.
Oliver Allen fired Wrexham a warning shot when he turned Mike Williams
but Ingham was able to hold his low driven shot.
But just before the
half hour mark it was the home side that opened the scoring as they broke
quickly after a Wrexham attack lost momentum after McEvilly conceded
possession.
The Wrexham defence were cut to pieces down the left flank with Pejic
and Danny Williams unable to hold off the surging run from Hatch who centred
for Allen and he again turned Mike Williams inside out before giving
Ingham no chance with his accomplished finish.
This also proved to be the last piece of action for Danny Williams as he
was replaced by Gareth Evans before Wrexham restarted the game.
Wrexham almost got back on level terms when Neil Roberts latched onto a
poor clearance and appeared to
have got the better of King just outside the Barnet area but after he
hauled the Wrexham striker to the ground he was only brandished a yellow
card by referee Ray Lee.
Lee McEvilly stepped up to take the resulting free kick and for once he
got the ball above the wall but Ross Flitney managed to tip the ball
over from underneath his bar.
Wrexham should have been further adrift before half time and this probably
would have been game over but Dean Sinclair headed over at the far post
after he was picked out unmarked by Puncheon’s quality cross from the left.
Just like the first half it was Wrexham who started the second the
brighter with both teams passing on the opportunity to make changes at
half time as Mark Jones went close with a long range effort following
the restart.
Wrexham did not have to wait much longer for the equaliser with Lee
McEvilly finding the back of the net in emphatic fashion with twelve
minutes of the second half gone when he smashed home from twenty-five
yards out after latching onto a smart flick from Llewellyn after he
disposed a Barnet player in midfield.
An just three minutes later, on the hour mark, Wrexham were celebrating
what proved to be the winner when Llewellyn again worked his wonders
down the left and his deep cross was met by McEvilly who looped his
header over the despairing dive of Flitney.
Barnet had the perfect opportunity to equalise seven minutes later when
the flagged stayed down as Allen picked out Gross free inside of the
area but Ingham rushed off his line to parry away the shot.
Wrexham had a great chance to put the game beyond Barnet in the final
ten minutes when McEvilly, who had a new lease of life after his goal,
found himself in acres of space down the right but Llewellyn was unable
to convert after he was picked out with a low cross to the far post as
his shot rebounded back across goal after it struck the upright.
Wrexham had two scares towards the end of the game when Hatch headed
wide a close range header from a free kick and Wrexham managed to
clear an almighty scramble in the area as Wrexham celebrated the first
three points for 2007 when the four minutes of injury finally ended. |
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Match Reaction |
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Brian Carey: "I'm absolutely thrilled to have won here
today. We made one mistake in the first half and I was more than a little
disappointed that we came in at half time a goal behind. We knew what we had
to do in the game and credit to the players for the way they went about it.
Barnet could have added a second themselves, but overall I think we were
good value for our win today. Finally grabbing our first win is a boost for
everybody, because I must admit it has been a bit tortuous lately. But I
have just spoken to the players and told them that this will push us on. We
want more of this and this is how it's going to be, they players are very
positive that we can do just that, but we know there is plenty more hard
work ahead of us. This is only the beginning, we have to knuckle down again
and continue what we have been doing. Overall I think it was a good display
from everybody." [Source:
Wrexham FC]
Paul Fairclough: "I am disappointed, frustrated and
angry. It was a self inflicted defeat ... we keep inflicting pain on
ourselves. The defining moment of the game was when Dean Sinclair missed
with a header - it could have been 2-0 and game over. At half time we were
in control. We have talked before the match about the 10 minute period after
half time being a critical stage for us in games and, sure enough, right on
cue we conceded and pressed the self destruct button. We finished having to
chase the game. The Wrexham goalkeeper made one good save from Adam Gross
but we had chances of goals and Liam Hatch put magnificent chance wide with
a header. Almost a mild form of panic set up."
[Source:
Barnet FC] |
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|
Wrexham |
|
Starting XI:
| 01 |
Michael Ingham |
| 02 |
Lee Roche |
| 04 |
Shaun Pejic |
| 08 |
Danny Williams
29' |
| 15 |
Mike Williams |
| 07 |
Mark Jones |
| 26 |
Robbie Garrett
 |
| 32 |
Jeff Whitley |
| 11 |
Chris Llewellyn |
| 23 |
Neil Roberts |
| 09 |
Lee McEvilly
|
Subs:
| 10 |
Mike Carvill |
| 20 |
Matty Done |
| 24 |
Gareth Evans
29' |
| 25 |
Scott Barron |
| 33 |
John Ruddy (GK) |
Stats:
| Shots on Goal: |
10 |
| Shots on Target: |
6 |
| Shots off Target: |
4 |
| Possession: |
% |
| Fouls Conceded: |
14 |
| Corners: |
7 |
| Yellow Cards: |
1 |
| Red Cards: |
0 |
|
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82'
79'
82'
