By RICHARD WILLIAMS
22 October 2007
IT's
painful being a Wrexham supporter at the moment.
Wrexham were beaten for the eighth time in 11 League Two outings on Saturday
when they were beaten 2-0 by highflying Barnet at The Racecourse on Saturday.
Defeat leaves Wrexham second from bottom in the table and just one point above
Mansfield Town – although the Reds do have a game in hand on the basement side.
But it was not just the result which was disappointing to the 3,500 Reds fans
who were present.
It was a lacklustre display from Wrexham who lacked spark and any bite in a dull
encounter.
There was little fight from the Reds once they trailed in the second half as
heads dropped, and there was no sign of getting anything out of the contest once
Barnet made it 2-0.
Few clear cut scoring chances were created throughout the 90 minutes and it is
little wonder on that evidence why Wrexham are the lowest scorers in the
division.
And Wrexham's lowly position is not helped by the fact that they are leaking
goals at the other end.
It was a season that promised so much following last season's brush with
relegation, but yet again there are causes for concern. And rightly so.
In the run- up to the game, the club's owners publicly spoke about manager Brian
Carey's job being on the line if results don't improve.
As boss, Carey is in the firing line, but his players also have to take a look
at themselves because it is what they are doing on the pitch – or not doing –
which means that the under pressure Carey could face the sack if Wrexham's
decline continues.
Carey had threatened to alter his side and shake things up after the
Macclesfield defeat and he duly obliged with four changes. Goalkeeper Michael
Jones, centre-backs Gareth Evans and Mike Williams, and midfielder Silvio Spann,
were all brought into the starting eleven, although Carey had drawn a blank in
his attempts to bring in loan signings.
Shot-stopper Anthony Williams was relegated to the bench, Shaun Pejic was
omitted from the final 16, Danny Williams was ruled out through injury, and
on-loan Robbie Garrett was serving a one-game ban after being sent off at Moss
Rose.
A solid defensive display in the first half kept Wrexham at bay as the Reds
struggled to break down the visitors and rarely forced goalkeeper Lee Harrison
into a single save.
And it was Barnet who had the best chance of the opening 45 minutes and came
close to taking the lead in the 10th minute.
Wrexham only partially cleared a free-kick and Liam Hatch's looping shot struck
the crossbar.
Both sides were cancelling each other out and although Michael Proctor latched
onto a Spann through ball and slotted past Harrison, referee Ray Leehad already
blown for offside.
It had been a flat first half that lacked goalmouth action, although Spann's 35
yard free kick in injury time was parried by Harrison, and the loose ball
cleared.
Carey decided to change his strike force and replaced Michael Proctor with
Eifion Williams for the second half, and the Reds immediately upped the tempo as
they made a bright start.
Mark Jones played in Simon Spender who pulled the ball back from the by-line on
48 minutes but no-one could convert as the ball travelled through the six yard
box.
Spann then found Spender who cut in from the right and decided to go for goal
but his chip was easily saved by Harrison, and the Barnet keeper also turned a
long range Mark Jones drive around the post for a corner.
Barnet had a goal disallowed in the 57th minute when Hatch headed home an Ashley
Carew centre – the scorer adjudged to have fouled his marker.
That was a let off for Wrexham, but Barnet did take a 1-0 lead two minutes later
when leading scorer Jason Puncheon drove the ball across goal and Hatch
converted from close range.
Young striker Marc Williams replaced Neil Roberts after 65 minutes, and in ashow
of intent, Carey also brought on winger Matty Done for defender Mike Williams
and switched to 4-4-2.
But Wrexham's chances of getting something out of the game were dealt a blow
when Barnet doubled their advantage in the 69th minute.
Sagi Burton delivered down the middle and Michael Jones raced out to clear but
could only direct his header against the in-coming Hatch who slotted the loose
ball into an empty net.
Wrexham were up against it and efforts from Marc Williams and Mark Jones were
well dealt with by Harrison.
With time running out, a Spann corner was sliced high into the air and although
Harrison failed to connect with his punch, Marc and Eifion Williams were unable
to convert and Barnet eventually cleared.
Eifion Williams was denied by Harrison in added time but Wrexham were well
beaten in the end.