Via Wrexham AFC
Wrexham would shake off their FA Cup blues and get the job done against an impressive Wealdstone side.
With full focus back on the league, it was imperative that Wrexham claimed all three points in the hunt of table toppers Notts County.
Once again, thoughts would be fixated on Phil Parkinson’s decided backline for the affair. Tom O’Connor moving back into the centre back trio would see Max Cleworth sidelined… for the first half at least.
For 40 minutes it was undoubtedly an even game, as both sides battled it out to gain that extra edge in the midfield. Wealdstone looked remarkably comfortable and unphased by the test at the Racecourse Ground.
Wrexham have a habit of finding ways to score in tight games though, meaning they edged out the Stones just before half-time.
Elliot Lee’s inverted cross from the left wing found the head of Paul Mullin directly in front of goal, leaving Sam Howes with no chance at preventing the header, despite his best efforts.
After the Coventry City victory, Lee spoke of aiming deliveries towards the back-post in case the ball finds its way into the net, for which it did that day. We saw the other side to that coin against Wealdstone, as the cross instead found Mullin on its pathway.
Consolidating the lead by scoring more goals would be the main objective for the second half. However, Tarryn Allarakhia had other plans.
The number seven would make a well-timed run from inside his own half to run through on the Wrexham goal just after half-time. With back-tracking red shirts befuddled at the non-existent offside flag, Allarakhia decided to move the ball around Mark Howard in net and push the ball past Luke Young on the line.
A cheap goal for Wrexham to concede and two games on the bounce just after the interval.
Jacob Mendy was among two half time substitutions and has looked a real danger for opposing teams, especially since coming back from injury. Cleverley moving into the box instead of hugging the left-wing, Mendy found himself on the end of an attempted clearance, where he smacked the ball into the back of the net from twenty yards out.
A similar goal to the one he scored at Dorking Wanderers and the perfect, instant response for the Red Dragons.
The ability this season to respond to conceding goals is a real testament to the mentality of the team.
For the remainder of the game, Wealdstone huffed and failed to puff. Even before the perplexing sending off of Max Kretzschmar for encroaching the field before being allowed back on by the referee, Wrexham were managing the game efficiently.
Sam Dalby has been a feature from the bench of late, whether Wrexham are in need of a late goal or not.
After flicking on a delightful header to the on-running James Jones, Dalby continued his run into the Wealdstone box, where he was able to lift the ball into the goal following Howes’ parried save from Jones.
Wrexham’s place at the top of the table would therefore be secured for a total of two hours, due to the Magpies’ win against Chesterfield in the later kick-off.
Parkinson’s men will now face third placed Woking FC tomorrow at the Racecourse Ground, whilst County take on fourth placed Barnet FC. An incredibly important night in the National League calendar…
