PREVIEW | Crewe Alexandra vs Wrexham AFC

Phil Parkinson's side make the short trip to the Mornflake Stadium in EFL Trophy action

10 October 2023

Wrexham AFC will look to confirm their place in the last 32 of the EFL Trophy, as they make the short trip to take on local rivals Crewe Alexandra at the Mornflake Stadium.

Ahead of the match, we look at everything you need to know about our opponents, the Railwaymen.

EYE ON THE OPPOSITION

Lee Bell’s side come into tonight’s match having enjoyed a strong start to the season, having lost just twice so far in the league – leaving them positioned sixth in the Sky Bet League Two table.

As a result of their successful start to the season, Bell has just been nominated for Sky Bet League Two manager of the month after collecting 11 points from five matches throughout September.

Bell’s side also lead the league scoring charts, having scored 28 times in 12 matches, making them the most prolific side so far this season.

Chris Long and Courtney Baker-Richardson lead the way having scored six goals and five goals respectively for their side, but Mickey Demetriou and Elliott Nevitt aren’t far behind with the duo tied on four goals each.

Despite their solid start to the 2023/24 campaign, the Railwaymen will be looking to bounce back from a 4-2 defeat against Salford at the weekend, which ended their six-match unbeaten run in the league.

Crewe will likely need to get something out of this evening’s match if they are to progress into the next round of the EFL Trophy, having lost their opening game 1-0 to Port Vale at Vale Park on Thursday, September 5.

LAST TIME OUT: WREXHAM AFC 3-3 CREWE

The last time that the sides met came less than two weeks ago, as Crewe travelled to the STōK Cae Ras to play out a thrilling 3-3 draw against Phil Parkinson’s side.

Wrexham made a slow start to the match and found themselves a goal down as Mickey Demetriou headed home from a corner to break the deadlock in North Wales.

Things went from bad to worse as Ryan Barnett was shown a red card in the 36th minute for a late challenge on Shilow Tracey which reduced the Red Dragons to ten-men.

Paul Mullin scored the equalizer after 40 minutes, as he produced a spectacular overhead kick for his first league goal of the season.

Chris Long scored from the penalty spot, regaining Crewe’s lead in the 49th minute – but just eight minutes later Mullin scored again to draw Wrexham level.

Crewe restored their lead in the 65th minute, as Tracey latched onto Rio Adebisi’s cut-back to fire home into an empty net against the run of play.

Just as all seemed lost, a moment of composure from Jacob Mendy provided the perfect delivery into the box, with his right-footed cross finding Fletcher at the back post.

Having struck the post earlier in the match, Steven Fletcher was the first to react, emphatically heading past Harvey Davies to score his first Wrexham goal in the 96th minute which sent the home fans into jubilation.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Venue	Pld	Won	Drn	Lst	For	Agst	+/-
Home	82	46	17	19	179	100	+79
Away	83	18	23	42	102	165	-63
Total	165	64	40	61	281	265	+16

Biggest home win: 7-0 (Div 3 North) – 20 Sep 1930 & 12 Nov 1932
Biggest away win: 5-1 (Wartime Regional League North Div) – 6 May 1944

Top goal scorer: Tommy Bamford - 8 goals

HOW TO WATCH

As the fixture falls outside UEFA's Article 48 blocked broadcast hours, supporters can tune in from both the UK and internationally to watch the match live.

You can buy your iFollow Wrexham match passes here, costing £10 each. Pass subscribers can enjoy live, multi-angle match coverage with graphics and instant replays, delivered by 24/7.tv.

Match, Month, and Season passes are available to purchase from our iFollow page.

To view all package options, click here.

Match Reports

REPORT | Crewe Alexandra 0-3 Wrexham AFC

The Red Dragons progress into next stage of EFL Trophy

10 October 2023

Wrexham AFC claimed an emphatic 3-0 victory over local rivals Crewe Alexandra at the Mornflake Stadium to secure their place in the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy.

Jordan Tunnicliffe played an important part in Wrexham’s opener, which was eventually ruled as an own-goal, while a fine-effort from Jordan Davies and Luke Young’s penalty wrapped up the victory in Crewe.

Phil Parkinson rested the starting XI that beat Crawley Town at the weekend, with opportunities for Bryce Hosannah, Max Cleworth, Jake Bickerstaff and Liam McAlinden to get some much-needed game time.

There was a debut for 23-year-old goalkeeper Luke McNicholas, who replaced Arthur Okonkwo in the Red Dragons’ goal.

It also meant that Wrexham youngsters Liam Hall, Aaron James, Owen Cushion, Dan Davies, Harry Ashfield and Callum Edwards were all called into a competitive matchday squad for the first time this season.

Wrexham, despite the changes – started the game much brighter of the two sides and it took just minutes for the visitors to break the deadlock.

Tunnicliffe rose highest to meet an oncoming cross from Davies and direct it towards goal, but replays showed that it in fact took a deflection and was recorded as an own goal after five minutes.

Davies then doubled the advantage with a moment of pure individual brilliance. Bickerstaff released Wrexham’s number seven, who danced through the Crewe backline with a fine display of footwork which drifted him past man after man.

He eventually carried the ball into the box, closing the move off with a fine left-footed finish under pressure in the 13th minute.

Cleworth came close to making it 3-0 in the 33rd minute, with an opportunity at the back post from close-range. Luke Young found the young defender with a great free-kick delivery, having made a fine run to find himself in space within the Crewe box.

Despite his best efforts, the 21-year-old’s strike was easily dealt with after his effort was straight at Crewe goalkeeper Tom Booth.

Neither side managed to produce any note-worthy chances, as Parkinson’s side went into the break with a two-goal advantage following an impressive first half showing.

Bickerstaff continued to cause the hosts several problems in his search for a goal; McAlinden provided a great ball into the forward, but his effort was blocked after 56 minutes.

While the young striker wasn’t successful in his efforts to grab a goal, he provided a crucial contribution which ultimately made it 3-0 to the Red Dragons.

Having made yet another excellent run, Bickerstaff managed to beat Luke Offord to a loose ball. He was eventually brought down by the hosts’ captain inside the box who was shown a straight red card as the referee pointed to the spot with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Luke Young, back in the Starting XI as captain, stepped up to take the spot kick and coolly converted into the bottom-left corner to all but wrap up the victory in the 73rd minute.

The match was rounded off for Wrexham with the debut appearance of youngster Ashfield, as the 17-year-old made his first-team debut coming on for Sam Dalby in the 89th minute.

Parkinson’s side then went on to hold out for the final moments, securing a clean sheet to top off their short trip across to Crewe as they progressed to the next stage of the EFL Trophy.

Wrexham AFC: McNicholas (GK), Tunnicliffe, Cleworth, Boyle, Hosannah, Cannon, Young (C), J.Davies (James 85’), McAlinden, Dalby (Ashfield 89’), Bickerstaff.

Subs not used: Hall (GK), Barnett, D.Davies, Cushion, Edwards.

Crewe Alexandra: Booth (GK), Williams (Robinson 82’), Offord (C), Colkett, Lunt, Nevitt, Rowe, Finney, Billington, White (Nolan 74’), Agius.

Subs not used: Davies (GK), Adebisi, Baker-Richardson, Tracey, Powell.

Attendance: 3571 (1644 away)