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Match Report |
Wrexham really got what we deserved from
a truly awful display at relegation rivals Macclesfield with the two-nil
defeat leaving us five points adrift of the Silkmen but still above the
relegation zone from Boston on goal difference.
There was only really one team in the contest as we lacked any tempo,
fight and spirit throughout what was an abject performance in front of
almost 1,800 travelling fans.
Macclesfield dominated the midfield area and appeared to win every 50/50
ball at ease with the Silkmen making the most of their attacking
positions down either flank.
Wrexham made changes in midfield and upfront as Michael Proctor
partnered Lee McEvilly and this meant Mark Jones started as captain in
centre midfield alongside Jim Whitley and Simon Spender was at right
wing with Lee Roche returning at full-back.
Macclesfield lost the services of captain Danny Swailes during the warm
up but this loss did not impact their display with the pairing of McNeil
and Murphy up front dominating the Wrexham defence.
There was an early booking for Macclesfield’s Carl Regan for a bad foul
on Matty Done but Wrexham did not make the most of the home side’s right
back being on a caution for the remaining eighty-five minutes of the
game.
The game was fairly even for the opening quarter with Wrexham’s attacks
being pegged back by an eagle-eyed linesman and it was the home side who
had the first effort on goal when Bullock found the arms of Wrexham
‘keeper Anthony Williams.
Michael Proctor was the first Wrexham player to try his luck when he
turned well on Done’s low cross but fired straight at Lee in the
Macclesfield goal who did made a comfortable save.
This shot midway through the first half signalled the end of Wrexham’s
effort and it was the home side that took the game by the scruff of its
neck from here on in.
The Silkmen appeared to be breaking with ease down their left wing with
Bullock always finding himself in space against Roche and it was Bullock
who went the closest when Anthony Williams palmed his shot around the
post after the Macclesfield midfielder found himself in too much space
inside of the penalty area.
Macclesfield then fired a warning shot to Wrexham when they struck the
bar twice is as many minutes. Miles fired in a fierce shot that rattled
the off the crossbar and soon after it was Bullock who hit the woodwork
when he crashed a header off the bar from the superb Miles' cross.
Wrexham did not take notice of this double warning when we were carved
open down the centre of the pitch for the opening goal of the game in
the 34th minute and it was no surprise that Miles was heavily involved.
The midfielder appeared to evade the challenges of the Wrexham midfield
down the centre of the pitch before feeding McNeil who made no mistake
by side stepping Williams before finishing in confident fashion.
Wrexham offered very little in reply and McEvilly went the closest when
his sliced effort almost struck the corner flag as many of the Wrexham
attacks were still halted for offside.
There were no changes from Wrexham during the half time break but Simon
Spender made way for Marc Williams ten minutes following he restart to
partner McEvilly up front with Proctor playing out on the right.
Spender did have our best chance of the game before going off when
Proctor and McEvilly combined well to give Spender a clear shot at goal
but he lacked composure and fired straight at Lee when a yard either
side would have been a certain goal.
Although Williams did well following his introduction, it was still the
home side that dominated proceedings and it was Miles who was still
pulling the strings upfront for the Silkmen.
Wrexham were the masters of our own downfall when the second goal
arrived just after the hour mark when Jeff Whitley, who had a shocker of
a game, needlessly gave the ball away on the half way line.
The Macclesfield players then ran rings around the Wrexham defence as
Done just stood and watched as Myles crossed from the right for Murphy
to out jump Pejic in the six yard box to head home the second.
Mike Williams then had to block a shot from Myles with Wrexham only
offering a McEvilly free kick in reply that was in no danger of
troubling an under worked Lee in the Macclesfield goal.
You are now two goals down to a relegation rival and Wrexham then
replace a centre half with another centre half as Steve Evans replaced
Richard Walker which left us with only on substitute to change the
course of the game.
The final throw of the dice was made soon after when Josh Johnson
replaced Michael Proctor but it was Macclesfield who still dominated the
midfield.
Anthony Williams did well to turn shot from substitute Rankin around the
post for a corner and McEvilly headed over a deep cross from Done as the
final whistle was greeted with boos and cries of ‘you don’t deserve to
wear the shirt’ from the let down Wrexham faithful. |
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Match Reaction |
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Brian Carey: "In my time as manager that is the second
game where I can say it didn't happen for us. The other was at Peterborough
and it was similar today. I do feel very disappointed for all those Wrexham
supporters who came along to cheer us on today, but with a quick turn around
this weekend we have to pick ourselves up and look forward to the Notts
County game on Monday. I'm not going to say what we will do to change
things, but there will be changes." [Source:
Wrexham FC - click here for more]
Ray Mathias: "It was a fantastic win especially
considering the circumstances and how much of a massive game it was. The
lads started off brightly and the performance throughout was excellent. With
the chances we created I thought we should have gone in maybe two or three
up at half time." [Source:
Macclesfield Town FC - click here for more] |
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Wrexham |
|
Starting XI:
| 33 |
Anthony Williams |
| 02 |
Lee Roche |
| 04 |
Shaun Pejic |
| 22 |
Richard Walker
 67' |
| 15 |
Mike Williams |
| 14 |
Simon Spender
 52' |
| 07 |
Mark Jones |
| 32 |
Jim Whitley |
| 20 |
Matty Done |
| 18 |
Michael Proctor
 74' |
| 09 |
Lee McEvilly |
Subs:
| 05 |
Steve Evans
 67' |
| 13 |
Michael Jones (GK) |
| 16 |
Levi Mackin |
| 17 |
Josh Johnson
 74' |
| 21 |
Marc Williams
 52' |
Stats:
| Shots on Goal: |
12 |
| Shots on Target: |
4 |
| Shots off Target: |
8 |
| Possession: |
40% |
| Fouls Conceded: |
8 |
| Corners: |
3 |
| Yellow Cards: |
0 |
| Red Cards: |
0 |
|
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Match Notes |
| Venue |
Moss Rose |
| Attendance |
4,142 |
| Half Time |
Macclesfield Town 1 Wrexham 0 |
| Referee |
G Salisbury |
|
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Match Time Line |
 |
5' |
Carl Regan (Macclesfield
Town) |
 |
34' |
Matty McNeil
(Macclesfield Town) |
|
|
62' |
John Murphy
(Macclesfield Town) |
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