Saturday 11 August 2007
Puma Youth Alliance
Macclesfield Town U18 1 Wrexham U18 1

Despite a disastrous start the young Dragons fought back to earn a share of the spoils in the opening Puma Youth Alliance game of the season.

It took just 90 seconds for the home side to take the lead when the ball ricocheted kindly into a striker's path and he finished well.

"The lads have had a decent pre-season," Steve Cooper admitted after the game. "They were all really fired up after being disappointing last season so to concede so early on was totally against the plan.

"We panicked a bit then for the next 20 minutes and they were better than us. But we got back to basics and got better as the half went on."

This improvement in the Dragons' play was quickly rewarded with an equalising goal after 25 minutes. Kai Edwards played Mark Stewart in down the right hand side and he whipped a great cross in for strike partner Mark Head to get in front of his marker and head past the Silkmen's keeper.

"It was a really good goal," added Steve. "And it pleased me and Joey because it's something we've been working on."

The Dragons enjoyed plenty of possession after the break but failed to do enough with it to deserve to take the three points, though they did create a few chances.

Luke Carding had a chance coming in from the left hand side but his shot was at a good height for the keeper to save, and Lee Jones got up well to hit the crossbar with a header from a corner.

And George Stewart, proving what a threat he can be down the right hand side, got a few decent crosses in but nobody was able to convert.

"Overall, I'm disappointed with the performance," declared Steve. "We certainly need to up the performance level for Tranmere Rovers next Saturday."

Wrexham: Vince Whelan, Kai Edwards, John Hunt, Chris Marriott, Lee Jones, Tom Matischok (Jack Jones 25), George Stewart, Matty Hurdman, Mark Stewart, Mark Head, Luke Carding (Rob Pearson 75).
Subs: Jamie Price, Chris Maxwell, Obi Anoruo.