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John McALiskey's effort is cleared
Pictures courtesy of Keith Williams / Sportpixs

A hard fought three points earned by a first half header from centre back Steve Evans in this Sunday lunchtime derby match, as Wrexham recorded the only home victory in League 2 of the weekend!

With club captain Neil Roberts still not fully fit John McAliskey, on loan from Huddersfield, started his first league match for Wrexham. Ryan Valentine returned from concussion to replace Mike Williams at left back and Matty Done came in for Josh Johnson as Denis Smith made two changes from the side beaten by Birmingham in the Carling Cup.

Hereford, making their first visit to The Racecourse since our promotion season of 1992-93, made two changes both enforced, one by suspension (Trent McLenehan) and one through injury (Andy Williams), Alan Connell and Alex Jeannin being the replacements.

First Half

After a torrential downpour on the morning of the match, the game kicked off in bright sunshine with Wrexham attacking the Kop end. Wrexham started positively and Valentine fired a right foot shot just wide. Hereford responded well and Giles headed just over the bar after three minutes.

Richard Rose earned the first yellow card after 4 minutes for a high tackle on Lee Roche before a good spell of pressure saw Wrexham earn two corners, the second was not well cleared and Ferguson crossed back in for Steve Evans to head over the bar.

Michael Ingham did well on 12 minutes punching clear from Connell after a good move involving Fleetwood and Purdie down the right. Hereford put together a good spell of attacking and earned a corner which was taken by Jeannin, Valentine headed off the line but the referee had spotted a foul.

Despite some enterprising play in midfield neither side was really able to create a clear cut chance as both defences bossed the game. Wrexham were denied a penalty on 20 minutes when a long cross into the area by Roche was handled, Mr Joslin said "No" and Hereford went straight up the other end where Fleetwood screwed a shot wide.

As the half approached the midway point the visitors were definitely on top territorially and with Wrexham giving the ball away too often to the frustration of the home fans. Ryan Valentine was booked on 24 minutes for a late tackle.

Two minutes later McAliskey's header from Ferguson's corner was headed off the line by Travis with, ex-Chester keeper, Wayne Brown well beaten. A second corner was swung in and was met by a powerful Steve Evans header; despite Travis efforts on the line this time the assistant ruled the ball had crossed the line to give Wrexham the lead.

With 29 minutes gone Chris Llewellyn saw Brown off his line and tried an audacious chip from 45 yards which just cleared the bar, whilst a good shot by Rose had Ingham scrambling as it went past the post two minutes later.

The game was coming to life now and Brown did well to hold a deflected Matty Done shot. With 35 minutes gone Wrexham failed to clear a corner effectively, it was crossed back in by Jeannin where a header from Sills was tipped on to the bar by Ingham and cleared by Ryan Valentine.

Hereford pushed forward looking for the equaliser and some of Wrexham's defending from set pieces was not of the highest standard causing concern in the crowd. With a couple of minutes left a good run by Valentine earned another corner, the header won by Williams, flicked on by McAliskey and headed off the line again by Travis.

Hereford broke quickly and Roche pulled back Fleetwood to earn the third yellow card of the game.As the game went into the two added minutes McAliskey shot well over the bar.

Second Half

There were no substitutions at half time by either manager. Both sides sparred for an opening in a tight start to the half, as all the play was concentrated in the middle third of the pitch. On 49 minutes a great break at pace by Matty Done saw him fire a left foot shot just over the bar in front of the 600 plus travelling fans.

Dean Beckwith incurred the wrath of Mr Joslin earning the second yellow card for Hereford for throwing the ball away after an embarrassing slip in front of the Wrexham fans.

An error by Steve Evans on 56 minutes resulted in Danny Williams conceding a free kick 25 yards out, Fleetwood fired it straight at Ingham. Three minutes later good skill by Mark Jones saw him beat two defenders on the edge of the penalty area but he unfortunately fired his shot well over.

Wrexham were beginning to get on top and Matty Done was becoming more influential, a good run by Valentine saw him pull the ball back but no Wrexham forward saw the pass and it was cleared.

On 64 minutes Danny Williams fouled Connell and picked up the game's fifth booking. Graham Turner replaced Connell with Andy Ferrell.The freekick was taken by Purdie, blocked by the wall; but it fell to Ferrell, who shot straight at Ingham. Both sides were cancelling each other out in a midfield battle, but on 70 minutes the ball fell to Crowell 20 yards out, his fierce right foot shot went just wide.

On 73 minutes Darren Ferguson handled 25 yards out and conceded another freekick to Hereford, Fleetwood curled a good effort just over.Denis Smith decided to change things at this stage by replacing Mark Jones with the pacey Josh Johnson.

With 10 minutes left Hereford replaced Richard Rose with Luke Webb, the son of ex England international Neil Webb. Shortly after Done skinned Travis and fired a shot just wide in a rare moment of second half excitement.

On 86 minutes Ferguson conceded a corner, taken quickly Jeannin fired it across goal and Fleetwood put it wide from close range. Surely a warning to Wrexham not to get complacent as Hereford switched their formation to 4-4-2 looking for an equaliser as we went into four minutes added time. Wrexham were able to comfortably see out the added minutes and regain winning ways.

Equally important perhaps was the clean sheet recognised by the hugs Danny Williams and Steve Evans gave each other as they walked off to the applause of the home fans.

Wrexham (4-4-2): Michael Ingham, Lee Roche, Danny Williams, Steve Evans, Ryan Valentine, Mark Jones (Josh Johnson 74), Darren Ferguson, Matt Crowell, Matty Done, John McAliskey, Chris Llewellyn.
Subs: Michael Jones, Mike Williams, Simon Spender, Jon Newby.

Hereford (3-5-2): Wayne Brown, Simon Travis, Dean Beckwith, Martyn Giles, Tamika Mkandawire, Alex Jeannin, Tim Sills, Rob Purdie, Richard Rose (Luke Webb 81), Stuart Fleetwood, Alan Connell (Andy Ferrell 66).
Subs: Glyn Thompson, John Wallis, Phil Gulliver.

Referee: Phil Joslin (Notts)
Attendance: 4,705
Away: 663

Bookings -
Wrexham: Ryan Valentine (foul), Lee Roche (foul), Danny Williams (foul)
Hereford: Richard Rose (foul), Dean Beckwith (throwing the ball away)

STAT ATTACK
5	Shots On Target	2
8	Shots Off Target	8
16	Fouls (Conceded)	8
6	Corners	5
3	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
REFEREE: P Joslin