09/02/03
Bournemouth 2-0 Wrexham
WREXHAM'S promotion drive was put on hold as they fell to Bournemouth`s quickfire two-goal blast at Dean Court yesterday.
The Red Dragons, aiming for their fourth straight league win, had looked capable of holding out for a draw following a goalless first half on the south coast.
But, after losing top-scorer Andy Morrell to a dead leg at half-time, they conceded two early second-half goals as they fell to only their third away league defeat of the season.
Wrexham goalkeeper Andy Dibble was left rooted to the spot by Bournemouth's opener in the 51st minute.
A short corner routine between Garreth O'Connor and Brian Stock ended with the Welsh Under-21 international crossing into the goalmouth from the left.
And Stock's centre appeared to deceive everyone as it swung across the penalty area directly into the far corner of the net with Dibble stranded, although Bournemouth striker Warren Feeney claimed later he had got the final touch with his head.
It is debatable whether Feeney did, in fact, re-direct the ball into Wrexham's net - only slo-mo television replays will be able to decide that one.
But there was no doubting that the Northern Ireland international got Bournemouth's second goal two minutes later when he rose, unmarked, at the far post to send a header crashing past Dibble from Wade Elliott's right-flank cross.
It was a suicidal three-minutes that ultimately cost Wrexham dear.
Defeat - their first on the road in league since they lost at Hartlepool on October 19 - saw the Red Dragons slip from fifth to 10th place in the race for the play-offs as Bournemouth leapfrogged one point above them.
Wrexham's reversal is not the end of the world, a fact manager Denis Smith was quick to point out after the game.
But it did clearly demonstrate leading striker Morrell's worth to the Red Dragons this season.
With 21 league and cup goals already under his belt, Morrell has played a major role in Wrexham's promotion push.
And while he was on the pitch in the first half his sharp attacking partner-ship with Lee Trundle always looked as though it might be rewarded with a goal.
Once Morrell - replaced by Hector Sam - had not returned for the second period, Wrexham did not look the same potent attacking force they had been in the opening 45 minutes.
Sam struggled to link up with Trundle as well as Morrell had in the opening half, and, consequently, Bournemouth went on to win with ease.
Wrexham's 200 travelling fans might have had to return home suffering the pain of a three-goal defeat as well because only Dibble's fine stoppage time save from Feeney denied the Ulsterman a hat-trick.
Dibble was quick off his line to deny the Bournemouth striker from close range after Warren Cummins had split open Wrexham's defence.
The first half saw the Red Dragons at their best, although, in truth, they had rarely looked like scoring themselves.
Darren Ferguson had a lame penalty appeal turned down in the 26th minute when he fell after tussling for the ball with Karl Broadhurst.
The incident happened in front of the Wrexham fans, who were incensed that referee Alan Butler didn't point to the spot.
But the non-reaction of the other Wrexham players proved it wasn't a penalty.
Carlos Edwards, who pounced on a mistake by Jason Tindall, was denied by Bournemouth keeper Neil Moss in the 37th minute as Wrexham always looked dangerous on the break.
Sam headed straight at Moss 30 seconds into the second period before Bournemouth, who had hit the bar through Tindall in the first half, took control with their two goals.
It was game over for weary-looking Wrexham - playing their third league match in eight days - after that.
Trundle conjured up an 80th-minute turn and shot that fully tested Moss, but apart from that the Red Dragons never looked like getting back into contention.
Midfield key in Dragons' promotion battle
By Ian Hunt,
The Western Mail
WREXHAM
manager Denis Smith insists his side must win the midfield battle against fellow
promotion chasers Bournemouth today.
The Red Dragons head for the south coast on the back of three successive league victories that have catapulted them back into the Third Division play-off zone.
Having collected what Smith described as "the biggest result of the season" - a 2-0 victory at Oxford on Tuesday - Wrexham can sneak into third place if they win again at Bournemouth and results elsewhere work in their favour.
But Smith believes the Cherries, who have slipped to 10th after collecting only one win from their last six league outings, will present a tough challenge to Wrexham's promotion credentials.
"Bournemouth are as good as anything I've seen this season," he said.
"They were unlucky to lose at our place (3-2 on November 9) and I expect them to give us another tough game.
"It will be a contest between two sides who like to attack and that should make for a competitive and entertaining game.
"But because Bournemouth are so attack-minded, we'll have to be on our toes in the middle of the park.
"That's where the battles need to be won."
Wrexham's encouraging win at the Kassam Stadium came on the back of successive 2-1 victories against Scunthorpe and Torquay.
Three straight wins have re-ignited the Red Dragons's promotion charge just when it appeared to be floundering.
"There was a period in which we were a little inconsistent, but hopefully that's behind us now," said Smith, who has added fit-again striker Lee Jones to his squad.
"People keep asking me whether I prefer it that we're just behind the leading pack, and the honest answer is no - I'd sooner be 12 points clear at the top!
"But there are several ways of winning promotion - I've experienced all of them as a manager -and they all taste sweet.
"However, we're desperate to avoid the play-offs. As long as we keep on performing well - and we've got games in hand on teams around us - we can do so."
Smith is without midfielder Mark Jones after the youngster picked up a groin problem, while Bournemouth are set to include goalkeeper Neil Moss following his arrival from neighbours Southampton.