The day began with a minute's silence
Photographs courtesy of Dave Howarth / Sportpixs
Danny Williams' 40th minute header saw Wrexham safely into the second round of the FA Cup, but they missed enough chances to make the victory more comfortable against a Conference side who nearly snatched a last gasp equaliser.
With Lee Roche returning to the side to replace the injured Ryan Valentine and Darren Ferguson returning from illness to replace Matt Crowell, Denis Smith made two changes from the side beaten at Bury in midweek. A minute's silence for Remembrance Day was observed before Wrexham kicked off with the Dragons attacking the Tech End of the ground.
The visitors earned a first minute corner taken by Miller, headed away for a second corner which Wrexham defended successfully. Wrexham were playing into a strong breeze blowing down The Racecourse as the Conference side with three strikers in the starting line up looked like they were here for the win. The wind caused one or two early problems but gave the visitors a first half advantage with it at their backs.
Lee Roche did well to intercept a Miller run on nine minutes passing back for Ingham to clear. After early territorial advantage for Stevenage Wrexham slowly started to exert their senior status on the game and an excellent ball by Jones almost set Done clear.
The FA Cup is a time for silly hats!
A lively first quarter of an hour between two sides who were trying to play attacking football. A good strong run by Kevin Smith on 18 minutes resulted in him being brought down by Fuller. The free kick was taken by Ferguson and headed just over the bar by Danny Williams from 6 yards out; he really should have hit the target. On 20 minutes Kevin Smith let the ball run across his body but dragged his left foot shot wide of the target.
On 24 minutes good work by Molango saw him cross a good ball into the area where again Danny Williams should have done better with his header, this one being a comfortable catch for Julian.
A minute later Ferguson released Matty Done for a good run but again his shot lacked composure and went high and wide. Ferguson sent Smith away but Julian was brave and saved at the striker's feet. Wrexham were really playing well now with Darren Ferguson showing his quality on the ball.
The visitors weathered the spell of Dragons pressure and earned a corner of their own. It came to nothing though but did lead to Stevenage having a short spell of possession. Not for long though as Wrexham again took control of the game.
Kevin Smith battles Boro's Ronnie Henry
On 37 minutes Mark Jones was booked for a tackle on Henry. Two minutes later he showed his real quality turning a defender in midfield, starting a good run and earning a corner when his shot was blocked. The visitors cleared Ferguson's corner to Steve Evans who crossed back in for Danny Williams to send a looping header passed Julian's despairing hand into the top corner. Wrexham's first goal in 220 minutes of football!
Stevenage bounced back and a good cross by Boyd went right across the Wrexham area with nobody in the middle to apply the finish. A warning to Wrexham to keep up their concentration level at the back.
Done's 44th minute shot was saved by Julian before the fourth official signalled one added minute during which Stevenage forced a goalmouth scramble in which Ingham saved with his legs and Pejic headed clear.
Second Half
Wrexham made a lively start to the second half and Done earned a freekick 20 yards out. An injury to a defender delayed the taking of the kick but eventually Ferguson swung it over and Evans powered a header at goal well saved by Julian. This started a spell of pressure with two corners being cleared by Stevenage.
Matty Done on the wing against Barry Fuller
A moment of humour in the game as Stevenage goalkeeper Alan Julian alerted Mr Haywood to the fact that he had dropped his yellow card. Julian was back to his own duties seconds later diving to his left to save a good shot from Kevin Smith.
After early Red Dragons pressure Stevenage worked their way back into the game without really threatening the Wrexham goal before good work by Smith set up a chance for Molango. The Congo striker let the ball hit his shins and run through to Julian when well placed. On 56 minutes an error by Miller conceded possession to Matty Done who drilled a left foot shot saved by Julian.
Stevenage kept pushing forward and earned a couple of corners which they made nothing of. They had a good deal of pace up front though with Boyd and Morison and the Wrexham defence needed to keep focused and organised. To be fair they did with Lee Roche playing well and the Evans/ Pejic partnership looking strong.
Smith tries his luck from the edge of the box
The first change in personnel came when Stevenage replaced Binns with Craig Dobson on 66 minutes.
A good header by Molango just cleared the bar on 68 minutes, again Ferguson the provider. Then Lee Roche let loose from 40 yards, it dipped just in front of Julian who fumbled but grabbed it at the second attempt. Smith then put a header wide from a Ferguson cross as Wrexham looked to score the decisive second goal.
A second substitute for the visitors saw Luke Oliver replace Nurse on 75 minutes. At 6' 4" inches he went up front to add a physical presence to the strike force although he is normally a centre back!
Mark Beard became the second booking of the game pulling back Mark Jones as he tried to break clear. Two minutes later Fuller was shown a yellow card for a foul on Matty Done.
Wrexham's first change saw Marc Williams replace Kevin Smith with seven minutes left.
Maheta Molango fires in a shot
A good break by Dobson saw him earn a corner, taken short it was crossed back in and Morison headed just wide. The third yellow card for Stevenage was for Gaia blocking off Molango.
A tense finale as Stevenage kept pushing forward looking forward for the equaliser. Wrexham had to resort to breakaways and from one Molango blasted high and wide with three minutes left.
As the fourth official signalled four minutes added time Denis Smith looked to run the clock down by making a change with Levi Mackin replacing Darren Ferguson.
Stevenage kept pressing and Alan Julian, the keeper, came up for the corner. Ingham caught it but seemed unaware of his opposite numbers position as the crowd bayed for him to clear. Maheta Molango had another chance but again put it well into the Kop, immediately Stevenage came back and Ingham did really well to save from Dobson in the game's last action.
Wrexham (4-4-2): Michael Ingham, Lee Roche, Shaun Pejic, Steve Evans, Mike Williams, Mark Jones, Danny Williams, Darren Ferguson (Levi Mackin 90), Matty Done, Maheta Molango, Kevin Smith (Marc Williams 83).
Subs: Michael Jones, Simon Spender, Josh Johnson.
Stevenage (4-3-3): Alan Julian, Barry Fuller, Ronnie Henry, Marco Dos Santos Gaia, John Nutter, Dale Binns (Craig Binns 66), Mark Beard, Adam Miller, Jon Nurse (Luke Oliver 75), George Boyd, Steve Morison.
Subs: Danny Potter, Hasim Deen, Tyrone Sealey.
Referee: Matt Haywood (Leeds)
Attendance: 2,873
Away: 332
Bookings -
Wrexham: Mark Jones (foul)
Stevenage: Mark Beard (foul), Barry Fuller (foul), Marco Dos Santos Gaia (foul)
STAT ATTACK
8
2
8
1
14
10
5
9
1
3
0
0
REFEREE: M Haywood
