PREVIEW | Crewe Alexandra vs Wrexham AFC

For us, the war is over, but Crewe must fight on.

19 April 2024

Wrexham secured historic back-to-back promotions last weekend with two games to spare.

Tuesday's results meant that Stockport County sealed the Sky Bet League Two title, but a sense of duty and professionalism will be the motivation as we face a Crewe side embroiled in a battle to hold onto their play-off spot.

THE WREXHAM ANGLE

Last Saturday will go down as a great day in our long history, but there are still two more assignments before the players can enjoy their Summer. The atmosphere will be euphoric in the away end, but there's business to be done, and a derby against Crewe will always carry meaning.

One thing which is still at stake is the status of top scorer in League Two. Paul Mullin won that accolade in 2021 with Cambridge United, and is four goals behind the man who pipped him to the National League top scorer's crown last season.

It's remarkable that Mullin should get so close to Langstaff, who enjoyed a flying start to the season, following the debilitating injury he suffered on tour which ruled him out of our first nine games of the season.

Naturally that injury had lasting effects, but he kept scoring through the pain and, since Phil Parkinson gave him a mini-break in February, he has been sensational.

Thirteen goals in eleven games have come at just the right time, and in each of his last two matches he scored twice. Match that again against Crewe and Stockport and the golden boot could be his.

LAST MEETING

THE OPPOSING VIEW

It would be incredibly harsh if Crewe were to drop out of the play-offs at this late stage of the season. They have been in the top seven since mid-October, and had a three-game spell in the automatic promotion slots during that time.

However, they find themselves in danger of just such a fate as an end-of-season wobble has brought them within reach of the chasing pack.

Currently in fifth place, the four teams beneath them in the table could each overtake them, but a positive result in this match would, at worst, leave them in a strong position to reach the post-season.

The Gresty Road faithful will have one eye on the clash between Doncaster Rovers and Barrow, two of those pursuing sides, to see if the outcome helps them achieve their target.

Just one win in their last seven games has seen Crewe's grip on a play-off spot loosen: last Saturday's 3-0 loss at home to Grimsby Town was, astonishingly, the second consecutive 3-0 home defeat they've suffered against sides in the relegation battle, having gone down by the same scoreline to bottom side Forest Green a fortnight earlier. When you consider that they've taken six points from the last 30 at Gresty Road, you can see why they're concerned.

Manager Lee Bell told his club website that things must improve:

“We don’t want to fall [out of] the Play-Offs – we have to gain momentum. You don’t get these opportunities very often; it doesn’t come around every year. We have grasp it and if we don’t quite achieve what we want to achieve, you have to be on your knees because you have given everything.

“We have to show a lot more desire than we did (against Grimsby). We need a response.”

We are struggling at home with confidence and the fans showed their frustration, rightly so. But we have to stick together. I’ll shield the players the best I can, and then we need a response.

-Lee Bell, Crewe manager

“I’m really disappointed that my team got outran by our opponents at home. We have to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“We were dominated in every area of the pitch, in posession and without the ball. We had a better spell in the second half but it was too late then. I’ll have to look at the reasons why. I’m fed up of the injuries we are getting, but it was a good enough team to win a game of football.

“The boys are struggling a bit so we have to try to build them back up and get some confidence. I’ll be positive with the players and we will go through one or two things. For the first time this season I’ve highlighted body language to the players. It’s key. They have to carry themselves to the end of the game much better than they did.

“The players have been exceptional all season to get us into this position, but we have to concentrate on the here and now. We have had enough praise, me included, for what has gone on this season but to lose two home games on the bounce 3-0 is really tough for everybody. “Win, lose or draw, we reflect on what we have done as staff and whether we have set the team up right.”

While Bell was reluctant to use injuries as an excuse, Alex have suffered misfortune lately in that department.

Winger Shilow Tracey has started 35 league games this season, but was injured for the Grimsby game, adding to a list of 7 outfield injuries, while Lewis Leigh will serve the second of a four-game suspension on Saturday.

However, it's in goal that the real problems begin. All three first team keepers are out injured, so Bell had to act quickly to secure a replacement. Max Stryjek arrived on emergency loan from Wycombe Wanderers, and arrived in time to make his debut against Grimsby.

Stryjek told Crewe's media team: "I'm really happy to join. At Wycombe, I had a little wobble when I wasn't playing, and I asked the manager if I could go out and help someone get into the play-offs. It will be a good challenge and I'm happy to be here.

“I stopped playing for Wycombe when I got sent off against Stevenage.

“Before that, I was the Man of the Match in the [EFL Trophy] semi-final [against Bradford], so I didn't see the reason to stop playing. But I think it might have something to do with the contract situation - I'm out of contract in the summer and suddenly I just stopped playing.

"This opportunity came up so I thought, 'why not?'

"This is a good challenge and I thought it's better to play football than not play at all."

Tracey and striker Christopher Long are the only injured players in with a chance of starting on Saturday, with a number of those unavailable hoping to be available for the final game of the season at Colchester. They'll also hope they'll be required for 3 more games after that this season!

HEAD TO HEAD

This is a truly ancient rivalry, stretching back to our first meeting in the FA Cup in October 1886. In fact, we were drawn together four times in that competition during the 1880s and 1890s, and Crewe knocked us out on each occasion.

By then we were also both in the Combination League, though, where we did rather better, winning six of our seven home games. Also, we finally got the better of them in the FA Cup, claiming our first win in Crewe with a 3-0 victory in October 1904. We’d lost our previous 4 clashes over the border.

That victory, with two goals from one of the great goalscorers from our pre-Football League era, Llew Griffiths, still stands as our biggest win at Gresty Road, although we’ve equalled it 3 times.

In September 1961, the two Mickeys, Metcalf and Evans, struck with an own goal rounding off the scoring, while in December 1992 an LDV Vans Trophy group match gave no clue of the one-sided scoreline which was to come until the 72^nd minute, when Gary Bennett opened the scoring. He netted again 2 minutes later, and Steve Watkin wrapped up the scoring with 3 minutes left.

Bennett was clearly spurred on by the invective directed at him by the crows that night, and perhaps also by the memory of Wrexham’s visit to Gresty Road in the FA Cup 13 months earlier, when his late goal was the only positive to come from a horrible 6-1 thrashing. That’s not our worst loss against Crewe though: In October 1909 they thumped us 7-1 in the Combination League.

Six weeks after that 3-0 win Bennett scored at Gresty Road again in a 1-0 win which kept the momentum going in what would become a promotion season.

The most recent occasion we’ve come away from Crewe with a 3-0 win was this season, of course!

Admittedly, it was a slightly odd affair: a Bristol Street Motors Trophy group match which saw both sides field line-ups which differed from their usual elevens.

We were ruthless, and were two goals ahead by the 13th minute, through Jordan Tunnicliffe and Jordan Davies. Skipper Luke Young completed the scoring with a second-half penalty.

Apart from that win, we also met at The STōK Cae Ras this season, in our first clash since 2003, and first league meeting since 1997. It was a dramatic clash, as The Alex took the lead 3 times but Paul Mullin equalised twice and Steven Fletcher came off the bench to hit a 95th minute goal and salvage a point.

TODAY’S OTHER FIXTURES

Doncaster Rovers v Barrow

Grimsby Town v Swindon Town

Harrogate Town v Milton Keynes Dons

Mansfield Town v Gillingham

Morecambe v Forest Green Rovers

Newport County v Salford City

Notts County v Colchester United

Stockport County v Accrington Stanley

Sutton United v Crawley Town

Tranmere Rovers v AFC Wimbledon

Walsall V Bradford City

With two games left, the crunch matches should come thick and fast, but a lot of the issues have already been decided. Stockport are confirmed as champions, and Mansfield joined us in completed the promotion spots on Tuesday. Milton Keynes are guaranteed a play-off place, and a win at Harrogate (or a point if we don't lose at Crewe) will assure them of the coveted 4th place.

Barrow's resilience will be tested as they fight to hang onto their play-off slot. They take their poor form to Doncaaster Rovers, who are hoping to mke a late charge into the top seven, having won their last eight games.

POTENTIAL MILESTONES

James McClean's 525th league appearance.

Sam Dalby's 175th career match.

Andy Cannon's 50th league appearance for Wrexham.

Match Reports

REPORT | Crewe Alex 0-3 Wrexham AFC

Wrexham storm to dominant win in final away game of season

20 April 2024

Ollie Palmer scored one and set up another as Wrexham stormed to a dominant win at ten-man Crewe in the Red Dragons’ final away game of the season.

Palmer headed promoted Wrexham in front against the play-off chasing Railwaymen before teeing up Paul Mullin to double the lead before half-time.

Ryan Cooney was then sent off for deliberate handball, as he stopped Mullin from running in on goal, before Andy Cannon coolly added a third goal for Wrexham.

After sealing promotion with last weekend’s 6-0 win against Forest Green Rovers, manager Phil Parkinson stuck with largely the same starting XI – Luke Young replacing the injured George Evans in the only change.

There was a party atmosphere in the Ice Cream Van Stand, with Wrexham fans – some in fancy dress – packing the away end and in great voice.

On the pitch, Crewe were quickest off the mark but Aaron Rowe’s early shot was straight at Arthur Okonkwo inside the first minute.

At the other end, Paul Mullin and Andy Cannon both had half-chances blocked by defenders in the 18^th minute.

A minute later, Luke Young’s free-kick found Eoghan O’Connell at the back post but his header was well off target.

Palmer’s looping header gave Wrexham the lead on 24 minutes, however – stooping low to meet Paul Mullin’s left-footed cross and heading into the far corner.

A loose ball dropped for Palmer wide on the right on 32 minutes, and the striker tried a spectacular half-volley, but Max Stryjek saved and held.

Tensions nearly boiled over on the stroke of half-time, when Rowe caught McClean with a leading arm and the Irishman reacted angrily. Both players and Crewe’s Zac Williams, who joined the fracas, were all booked as a result.

From the resultant Tom O’Connor free-kick, though, Palmer flicked the long ball on and Mullin raced onto it to lob Stryjek and double Wrexham’s lead.

Callum McFadzean replaced McClean at the interval and it was the number three’s pass which was intercepted in the 51^st minute for Elliott Nevitt to run into the area and shoot – Okonkwo saving low.

Elliot Lee won possession in midfield and drove at the Crewe defence on 52 minutes, shooting low from the edge of the box, but Stryjek saved well at full stretch.

A minute later, Ryan Barnett swung a deep cross to the back post and Lee got above the defender, but his header was saved.

Crewe were then reduced to ten men on 54 minutes, when Mullin and Cooney chased a long ball and the defender clearly handballed – earning a straight red card.

Wrexham were firmly in the ascendancy, and Mullin twice shot wide on his left foot before a moment of brilliance from Lee unlocked the Crewe defence for Cannon to score the third.

Lee’s perfect through ball set Cannon away, and he cut inside onto his right foot to coolly slot the ball beyond Stryjek and in.

Palmer and Mullin made way for Steven Fletcher and Jack Marriott midway through the second-half.

Marriott’s first contribution was to run onto a long ball over the top and square for Young but the Wrexham captain’s shot deflected wide.

Marriott then had a shot of his own deflected, before Fletcher’s curling, left-footed shot was saved and held.

For Crewe, substitute Charlie Finney headed onto the roof of the net on 75 minutes as the hosts sought a way back into the game.

Wrexham brought on Luke Bolton and Jordan Davies for Barnett and Cannon in their final changes of the afternoon.

Fletcher found Marriott away to his left on 77 minutes but, on his left foot, he shot powerfully wide of the near post.

Fletcher then volleyed goalwards from Lee’s superb cross-field pass on 83 minutes, but Stryjek got down well to save.

O'Connor nearly added a fourth in the third minute of stoppage time, shooting just wide across goal when Young's cross deflected to him.

The Red Dragongs had to settle for three, however, moving onto 85 points from a memorable season with next week's final game at home to Stockport to come.

Line-ups

Crewe Alex (4-1-4-1): Stryjek, Cooney, Williams, Demetriou, Adebisi, Tabiner (Tracey 62), Rowe (Finney 69), Billington, Holicek, Austerfield, Nevitt (Kirk 87)

Subs: Lenarcik (G/K), Long, Kempster-Down, Agius

Wrexham (3-5-2): Okonkwo, Cleworth, O’Connell, O’Connor, Barnett (Bolton 76), Young, Cannon (Davies 76), Lee, McClean (McFadzean 46), Mullin (Marriott 66), Palmer (Fletcher 66)

Subs: Howard (G/K), Tozer

Referee: Sebastien Stockbridge

Attendance: 9,033

Bookings

Crewe: Rowe (45, foul), Williams (45, ungentlemanly conduct)

Wrexham: McClean (45, ungentlemanly conduct)

Sent off

Crewe: Cooney (54, deliberate handball)

Match Reports

Ticket News

TICKET NEWS | Crewe Alexandra (A) on sale from Friday March 22

Tickets for final away game of season on sale from Friday

20 March 2024

Tickets for our final Sky Bet League Two away fixture of the 2023/24 season on April 20 against Crewe Alexandra, will go on sale from 10am on Friday March 22.

We have been allocated 1,650 tickets for the match, and supporters will be situated in the Ice Cream Van Stand.

All tickets will be issued as digital/print-at-home only, with both Apple & Google Wallet tickets available.

We would like to thank Crewe Alexandra for their co-operation in making this available to our fans. Therefore, no physical tickets will be available for the fixture.

As in line with our previous away fixtures, Season Ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase tickets from 10am, followed by Club members at 2pm.

All digital/print-at-home tickets for the fixture will be emailed out by Wrexham AFC in the week leading up to the game.

Supporters will receive a notification email being issued before the send out, so fans are aware of when to expect their tickets. No tickets will be issued at the point of purchase.

There will be no online queuing system in place for supporters purchasing tickets, so all you will need to do is log on to the eTicketing website at the appropriate time.

How To Purchase Tickets

Tickets can be bought via our eTicketing website, at the below prices, with both Season Ticket Holders and Members being limited to one ticket per account, and a maximum of 6 tickets in one transaction (applicable for both online and in-person purchases).

For instructions on how to ensure you have activated your eTicketing account and have the correct privileges attached, please see this guide.

While we appreciate our fans wish to support the team, we urge supporters without a ticket to not attend the game.

Anyone who attempts to buy tickets in the home end will be ejected, and no refund will be given.

Any tickets, should they remain, will be released for general sale at 10am on Monday, March 25.

Ticket Delivery

Tickets for the fixture will be emailed out to supporters in the week leading up to the fixture on Saturday April 20.

All ticket holders will be notified via email before the send out, so fans are aware of when to expect their tickets.

If presenting your eTicket on a phone at Mornflake Stadium, please ensure that your phone is well-charged, the screen is not damaged or cracked and that the brightness on your device is turned up.

If you decide to print your ticket at home, ensure it is A4 size and that it is not damaged. There will be no reissue of tickets via Crewe Alexandra under any circumstance at the Mornflake Stadium.

Ticket Pricing

ICE CREAM VAN STAND

Adults (20-64) £27.00

Senior Citizens (65+) £21.00

Under-20 (17-19 Years) £21.00

Under-17 (12-16) £13.00

Under-12 (11 & Under) £7.50

Wheelchair (Adult) £21.00

Carer: Free

All ambulant disabled tickets will be charged at the above pricing dependent on age. All wheelchair tickets will be charged at the age-appropriate pricing, with adult wheelchair fans paying £21.

Accessible Tickets

The Club have been allocated a small number of Wheelchair tickets for the fixture at the Mornflake Stadium.

These tickets, along with all ambulant disabled and companion tickets can now be purchased online for this game, speeding up the ticketing process for supporters.

All users who are eligible have already had their ticketing accounts updated with the required information and required number of companions.

As such, users will simply need to login to their accounts and it will automatically pick-up whether they are an ambulant disabled customer, or wheelchair user and allow them access to select the area which meets their requirements.

Users will only be able to select the number of companion tickets required in accordance with their eligibility criteria (i.e. a user eligible for one companion ticket will only be able to select one companion ticket).

Companion tickets will be auto-allocated to their own "companion" account which has already been created for each eligible user, will not affect the “one ticket per member” policy, and must be purchased with an accessible ticket (companion tickets cannot be purchased on their own).

Supporters requiring additional support with accessible tickets should contact Wrexham AFC Disability Liaison Officer Kerry Evans, on kerry.evans@wrexhamafc.co.uk.

Away Travel

Official supporter travel will also be available for this game, via our eTicketing website. Coaches will depart from Mold Road at 12pm (midday) and be priced at £12 for Adults, and £10 for Under 16’s.

Away travel will go on sale at 10am, in-line with the ticket policy.

Please note, the buses will depart at 12pm (midday), and there will be no provisions for those who arrive late. Supporters must make note of their designated coach on the ticket and only board the coach they’ve been allocated to.

All under-14s must be accompanied on official supporter travel, and alcohol is strictly prohibited by law.