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A proverbial game of two halves as Wrexham played superbly in the first half to lead 2-0 and then were made to battle all the way by a determined comeback by a Morecambe side looking for their first ever Football League victory.
Brian Carey brought keeper Anthony Williams back after the midweek Carling Cup victory over Port Vale with Mark Jones and Eifion Williams returning to the bench for the first ever away League match for visitors Morecambe. On an overcast afternoon in North Wales Morecambe kicked off attacking the empty Kop end.
A lively opening to the game as both sides looked to gain an early advantage but it was Wrexham who took the lead on five minutes when a good ball from Levi Mackin released Simon Spender on the right, his cross found an unmarked Michael Proctor ten yards out and the in-form striker glanced his header into the bottom corner of the Morecambe net.
Three minutes later Proctor fired wide from twenty yards after a nice interchange with Chris Llewellyn as Wrexham tried to press their advantage home. With 10 minutes gone a good run by Twiss set up Thompson whose shot beat Anthony Williams but bounced back off the post to the relief of the Wrexham keeper.
The first booking of the game went to Adam Yates for a cynical challenge as Matty Done looked to break clear on the half way line. The winger's pace was just too much for the full back.
After the first quarter of an hour the game had settled into a pattern of Wrexham looking to press forward and Morecambe looking for the breakaway, and with 21 minutes on the clock Michael Proctor chased a superb Danny Williams pass and lobbed the advancing Lewis to put the Dragons two up
A great tackle by Jim Bentley denied Neil Roberts a run in on Joe Lewis only seconds after the second goal.
A good diagonal ball by Levi Mackin to Matty Done resulted in the winger winning a corner which was swung in and Chris Llewellyn's header was cleared off the line by Danny Adams.
A minute later a Wrexham free kick on the left hand edge of the area was played to Valentine, his shot was blocked. Neil Roberts then won another corner, taken by Llewellyn, Roberts header was held by Lewis. A superb spell of pressure by the Dragons.
As we passed the half hour mark Wrexham were playing some magnificent football and were looking good value for their lead. Neil Roberts fired a drive over the bar on 36 minutes after a good run.
Two minutes later Chris Llewellyn and Michael Proctor chased the same ball causing concern in the Morecambe defence. At the other end Shaun Pejic did well to clear a fierce cross from under his own bar.
Levi Mackin was having a good game in the Wrexham midfield and Proctor and Roberts combining well up front, but it was a really good team performance in this opening period.
Morecambe has their best spell of the game around the 40th minute but the Wrexham defence responded well and denied the visiting forwards space to get shots in.
One minute added time at the end of the first half before referee Horwood ended a good first half by Wrexham who left the field to a good round of applause.
Second Half
Morecambe introduced ex-Wrexham striker Jon Newby at the start of the second half, and it was the visitors who started the half the brighter, a diving header from Jim Bentley going well wide of Williams goal.
In truth the football was scrappy as Wrexham struggled to get going after the break. Michael Proctor put in the home side's first effort on goal curling a shot wide after 53 minutes.
A minute later Morecambe got the ball in the Wrexham net but it was disallowed for a foul on Spender. The visitors did score on 55 minutes when Jon Newby slotted a low shot past Anthony Williams for their first ever Football League goal.
Brian Carey responded by putting on Eifion Williams for Matty Done but Wrexham were still lacklustre and Thompson went close with a header on 58 minutes.
Chris Llewellyn won Wrexham's first corner of the second half on 62 minutes but it was wasted. The home side were really finding it difficult to get going their passing and movement, which had been so good in the first half. Eifion Williams did test Lewis on 65 minutes, forcing a diving save from a 20 yard shot.
Chris Llewellyn was booked for a foul on 67 minutes and from the resultant free kick Artell headed just over from close range. Morecambe were still on top territorially and with 72 minutes gone both Richard Hope and Eifion Williams were off the pitch for blood injuries at the same time! They returned quickly to the action however and a good run by Eifion Williams created an opportunity which Neil Roberts was just to slow to see.
Josh Johnson joined the fray on 76 minutes, replacing Chris Llewellyn, Morecambe put on Curtis for Thompson. Johnson almost had an immediate impact with a cross just over the bar that had Morecambe keeper Lewis scrambling. Mark Jones came on for a tiring Levi Mackin on 78 minutes, Mackin leaving to a good reception.
Anthony Williams saved Wrexham on 82 minutes spreading himself well to save from Curtis who was in the clear after an error by Richard Hope. The visitors were clearly threatening the Dragons lead in a battling second half display.
Sammy McIlroy's last throw of the dice was to bring on Hunter for Twiss with three minutes left.
Michael Proctor went into the book for pulling a Morecambe shirt as we went into an indicated three minutes of added time.
Morecambe so nearly snatched a point in the dying embers of added time Stanley firing over from close range after a good run by Baker. It was the final action of the game and Wrexham held on for their first League victory of the season.
Wrexham (4-4-2): Anthony Williams, Simon Spender, Shaun Pejic, Richard Hope, Ryan Valentine, Chris Llewellyn (Josh Johnson 76), Levi Mackin (Mark Jones 78), Danny Williams, Matty Done (Eifion Williams 55), Michael Proctor, Neil Roberts
Subs: Michael Jones, Mike Williams,
Morecambe (4-4-2): Joe Lewis, Adam Yates, David Artell, Jim Bentley, Danny Adams, Carl Baker, Neil Sorvel, Craig Stanley, Jamie Burns (Jon Newby 46), Michael Twiss (Garry Hunter 87), Garry Thompson (Wayne Curtis 76)
Subs: Steven Drench, Michael Howard,
Referee: Graham Horwood (Beds)
Away: 545
Bookings:
Wrexham: Chris Llewellyn (foul), Michael Proctor (shirt pulling)
Morecambe: Adam Yates (foul)
