Goals -
1-0 Roberts (14)
2-0 Jones (36)
2-1 Stallard (44)
3-1 Llewellyn (61)
The Red Dragons cruised to a 3-1 victory over high-flying Chesterfield in an entertaining match staged at the Racecourse Ground. A cracking long-range strike from Mark Jones came either side of goals from Steve Roberts and Chris Llewellyn with the visitors replying virtually on the stroke of half-time.
Roberts swooped from a couple of yards out after just 14 minutes after Chris Armstrong had headed the ball across Carl Muggleton's goal following an excellent cross from the left by Andy Holt.
With the Red Dragons definitely in the ascendancy, it was vital that we capitalised on this advantage against a side with one of the best defensive records in League One.
This was achieved when Mark Jones doubled the advantage on 36 minutes at the end of flowing move, when he hit a fantastic shot from at least 25 yards which curled and dipped giving neither Muggleton nor the Chesterfield defence no chance.
Andy Dibble stood tall to deny on-loan midfielder Sammy Clingan, as the Chesterfield player was free on goal, even getting to his feet in time to make a block on the second effort as defenders rushed back to cover.
To sustain our lead to the interval would have given Denis Smith players a great boost, but Mark Stallard netted from a Shane Nicholson ball for the visitors with just a minute of the half remaining and it was game on once again.
With Wrexham well on top again at the start of the second period, it was vital that we capitalised on this possession and onthe hour mark we almost did. Armstrong's close range header produced a superb reaction save from Muggleton, who scooped the ball off the line, after Lawrence had headed the ball back from Darren Ferguson's far post corner.
Just minutes later though, Chris Llewellyn made the game safe when stabbing the ball home from a couple of yards out after Ferguson corner had bounced in the six yard box, after being headed on by Armstrong.
Dibble made a couple of good saves to deny the visitors a lifeline, whule the Dragons continued to pour forward in search of a fourth goal which never quite came.
It was though a crucial three points for the Red Dragons in the quest to avoid relegation.
Wrexham: Andy Dibble, Steve Roberts, Shaun Pejic, Dennis Lawrence, Jim Whitley, Andy Holt, Alex Smith, Darren Ferguson, Mark Jones (Levi Mackin 82), Chris Armstrong (Juan Ugarte 88), Chris Llewellyn.
Subs: Michael Jones, Craig Morgan, Hector Sam.
Chesterfield: Carl Muggleton, Alex Bailey, Steve Blatherwick, Ian Evatt, Shane Nicholson, Mark Allott, Derek Niven (Adam Smith 56), Sammy Clingan, Mark Hudson, Celab Folan (Wayne Allison 78), Mark Stallard (Mark De Bolla 67).
Subs: Alan O'Hare, Mark Innes.
Bookings -
Wrexham: Armstrong (39, delaying game)
Chesterfield: Evatt (20, foul), Folan (21, foul)
Referee: Mark Cowburn (Blackpool)
Attendance: 4,273
Away: 325
|
STAT ATTACK | ||
|
6 |
Shots On Target |
4 |
|
1 |
Shots Off Target |
1 |
|
12 |
Fouls (Conceded) |
10 |
|
7 |
Corners |
1 |
|
1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
|
0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
|
REFEREE: M Cowburn | ||
