MATCH PREVIEW | Southend United vs Wrexham AFC

Red Dragons head to Roots Hall looking to continue winning streak

16 September 2022

Wrexham AFC return to action this weekend, looking to make it six wins from six after Tuesday night’s convincing victory against Dagenham and Redbridge.

The Red Dragons remained in second place as they brushed aside the Daggers in a 4-1 victory under the lights at the Racecourse.

Two goals each for both Ollie Palmer and Paul Mullin set the tone in an empathic performance, which stands Phil Parkinson’s men in good stead for tomorrow’s trip to Southend United.

Team News

Manager Phil Parkinson elected to name the same side that won at Dorking in midweek, and the decision proved to be a successful one, making it five victories in a row.

Tom O’Connor remains a doubt as he is still suffering from a groin injury, while Reece Hall-Johnson and Bryce Hosannah continue to step up their recovery.

However, Parkinson revealed the positive news Rob Lainton has started light training again this week, following the sixth-month absence he endured due to a broken wrist.

Speaking on his ongoing recovery he said: “Rob has been back out on the grass, and it’s great to have his personality out there.”

For the hosts, they are still without forwards Harry Cardwell and Rhys Murphy, along with left-back Nathan Ralph as he is recovering from a ligament injury.

Goalkeeper Steve Arnold remains a doubt for The Shrimpers, who has been sidelined for a month with a back injury.

However, Wrexham could be reunited with a familiar face in Jake Hyde. The striker, currently on loan from the Club, made the bench in midweek after a short injury.

The Opposition: Southend United

It has been an up-and-down start for Kevin Maher’s side so far in the Vanarama National League, as they currently sit in 14th position.

Both their victories have come at home so far this season, and Maher will be hoping that he can follow the same blueprint that brought them success in those games.

In those wins, they kept two of their three clean sheets on their way to beating Oldham and Maidenhead.

Last time out, Southend were narrowly edged out on their travels by league leaders Chesterfield, who came from a goal and a man down to run out 3-2 winners at the Technique Stadium.

Previous Meetings

The most memorable meeting between the two sides this century came in 2005 in the LDV Vans Trophy Final, where the Red Dragons ran out victorious at the Millennium Stadium.

Juan Ugarte and Darren Ferguson’s extra-time strikes saw Wrexham lift the trophy in front of more than 36,000 supporters in Cardiff, after goalkeeper Ben Foster’s earlier heroics.

Last season both sides battled hard in two close encounters; with Wrexham coming back from two goals down to draw the game at Roots Hall, but back at the Racecourse an Ollie Palmer goal was enough to split the teams.

Follow The Action

Live audio commentary will be available via WrexhamPlayer, with match updates also posted to the Live Match Centre and the Club's official Twitter account.

Match Previews

Match Reports

The Review: Southend United 0-0 Wrexham

Wrexham’s unbeaten run extended to six games, after goalless draw with Southend United

19 September 2022

A game with limited opportunities saw Wrexham come away from Roots Hall with one point, after winning the previous five games.

There’s a feeling that in seasons gone by, this type of game would have been an example of a disappointing loss, so to pick up a clean sheet and a point is more than promising.

The general feeling after the game was that ‘not every game can be won,’ and the fact that Chesterfield also drew away to Yeovil Town meant the points gap between Wrexham and the Spireites was unaltered.

The main talking point of the game in Essex was the Jake Hyde goal. On loan from Wrexham, Hyde was permitted to play in the game. Ironically, it was Hyde in the 65th minute, who seemingly broke the deadlock.

A Noor Husin cross from the right-wing bounced behind Southend captain Nathan Ralph in the box, but he stretched and managed to redirect the ball towards goal. It is here that it is unclear whether the ball hit his hand or outstretched foot, resulting in Hyde finishing from close range.

Wrexham players immediately pleaded with the referee, who had an excellent view, for a handball, seeing Ollie Palmer booked for dissent.

The referee and linesman deliberated for a period of time, before an offside decision was given against Hyde. A very confusing moment in the game, but a sigh of relief was certainly blown from the Wrexham side.

The only meaningful chance came from Palmer in the first half, who has been in excellent form in front of goal.

A poorly defended goal-kick saw Palmer pick up the ball on the edge of the box, before curling an effort at goal. Collin Andeng Ndi then produced a flying one-handed save to tip the ball over the bar, but after a second glance, the ball seemed to be arrowed down the centre of the goal.

Ultimately, it wasn’t to be a sixth consecutive win for Wrexham, but a clean sheet amidst consistent Southend pressure, especially through the six-foot-seven tall striker Marcus Dackers, is a positive to take home to North Wales.

Match Reports

Ticket News

TICKET NEWS | Southend (A) ticket collections

Collection available at Roots Hall but only where necessary

15 September 2022

Ticket collections for Saturday’s game at Southend United will be available on the day at Roots Hall – but supporters are urged to collect from the Racecourse Ground wherever possible instead.

The match, which kicks off at 3pm on Saturday September 17, is on sale now via in store and via the Wrexham AFC eTicketing website.

We have been provided with paper tickets only for this game, and these were put on sale for collection at the Racecourse Ground only.

However, any tickets not collected by 5pm on Friday (September 16), will now be taken to Roots Hall for collection at the away ticket window from 1pm.

Please note, tickets must be purchased in advance, and there will be no tickets available for sale on the day. Tickets will go off sale at 5pm on Friday.

In order to avoid unnecessary delays and queuing at Southend, we are asking supporters wherever possible to please collect from the Racecourse Ground.

The ticket office at the Club Shop will be open from 9am-5pm on Friday.

Ticket News

Wrexham AFC

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