PREVIEW | Wrexham AFC vs Salford City

The Red Dragons return to the STōK Cae Ras on Saturday

13 October 2023

Phil Parkinson’s side aim to make it back-to-back victories when they take on Salford City at the STōK Cae Ras.

It will be the first meeting of the Club’s in the EFL, after sharing only one season in the National League together.

After a point on the road on Tuesday against Mansfield Town, the Red Dragons built on that performance with a battling victory against Crawley Town.

Despite being a goal up but a man down, it was yet another hard-fought performance full of graft which ultimately placed Wrexham back in the play-offs.

THE RECAP

On Tuesday night, Parkinson opted to make eleven changes to the side that won against Crawley, with a debut handed to Luke McNicholas in goal.

The Irishman signed from Sligo Rovers in the summer, and it was his first opportunity to get a taste of first-team action.

Jordan Davies returned to the starting lineup after his spell on the sidelines and made an immediate impact.

A goal and assist from inside the opening thirteen minutes to propel the Red Dragons into a two-goal advantage.

The Railwaymen failed to trouble the Wrexham defence, and Luke Young added a third from the penalty spot late into the second half.

Jake Bickerstaff beat Alex Captain Luke Offord to the ball and got hauled down inside the area with Aaron Jackson sending off the defender.

Young sent Tom Booth the wrong way, and he rolled the ball into the bottom corner securing our place in the next stage of the competition.

Another positive from the fixture was the debut of Harry Ashfield, who played out the final few moments after replacing Sam Dalby from the bench.

EYE ON THE OPPOSITION

After a heart-breaking play-off semi-final defeat to neighbours Stockport County, Neil Wood’s side have suffered a hangover period since returning to action.

For a side with high aspirations, it’s been a slower-than-anticipated start to the season as they sit in 13th place.

A run of six defeats on the bounce put pressure on Wood, but three consecutive victories in Sky Bet League Two have seen them rise up the division.

The resurgence in recent games has been inspired by their leading marksman Matt Smith, who has scored seven so far in Sky Bet League Two.

In their most recent fixture, The Ammies went one better than Wrexham in league football as they put in a strong home performance to defeat Crewe Alexandra.

Smith bagged a double on the day, as they climbed the table further into 13th position in Sky Bet League Two.

They initially went behind on the day, but Smith helped push them into a lead that was too far out of the reach of the Railwaymen.

Results providing, victory could push them to as high as ninth, which would leave them in touching distance of the play-off spots.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Venue	Pld	Won	Drn	Lst	For	Agst	+/-
Home	1	1	0	0	5	1	+4
Away	1	0	0	1	0	2	-2
Neutral							0
Total	2	1	0	1	5	3	+2

Biggest home win – 5-1 (National League) – 26 Dec 2018

Wrexham’s goalscorers Chris Holroyd, Shaun Pearson, Ben Tollitt, Brad Walker, and Akil Wright.

HOW TO WATCH

As the weekend’s fixture falls inside the international break, the article 48 window does not apply for this fixture, meaning the game can be streamed worldwide, wherever you are.

To watch the game live, you can purchase your match pass on iFollow Wrexham, and tune in with our WrexhamPlayer commentary team.

In the UK, you can choose the audio-only option, but this is not available for overseas viewers.

To watch the game, you can buy your iFollow Wrexham match passes here

Match Reports

REPORT | Wrexham AFC 3-2 Salford City

Red Dragons score twice late-on to claim impressive comeback victory

14 October 2023

Jordan Davies scored the dramatic late winner as Wrexham AFC came from behind to claim all three points at the STōK Cae Ras in a 3-2 win over Salford City

Davies capped the late comeback, finishing at the back post to earn Wrexham AFC all three points just moments after fellow substitute Steven Fletcher's equaliser.

The Red Dragons had earlier trailed to Matt Smith's header and Matty Lund's deflected effort, although Elliot Lee had pulled one back before half-time.

Phil Parkinson elected to make one change to the side that faced Crawley Town, as Aaron James replaced the injured Jacob Mendy - which handed the youngster his league debut in a Wrexham shirt.

Salford got the match underway in North Wales, and after just 15 minutes Neil Wood’s side gained the lead. Matt Smith - a player often feared for his aerial ability - found himself in ample space at the back post and headed past Arthur Okonkwo.

The Wrexham ‘keeper got a hand on Smith’s effort, but it wasn’t enough as Salford’s number 17 got the required connection on Stephen Mallen’s cross to break the deadlock for the visitors.

Paul Mullin spurned a perfect opportunity to draw Parkinson’s side level as he pounced on a defensive mix-up, ending up one-on-one with Alex Cairns.

With many in the stands having already started to get up from their seats in anticipation, Mullin’s right footed effort from the edge of the box continued to rise and ended up the wrong side of the bar much to the relief of the visitors.

James Jones struck over with his right foot in the 31st minute, as Wrexham continued in their battle to draw level.

However just four minutes later, Salford doubled their advantage at the STōK Cae Ras.

Declan John took advantage of space down the left flank, drove towards goal and eventually fired a strike which called Okonkwo into action. John’s effort wasn’t fully dealt with and the rebound fell to Matty Lund, who fired into the net to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

Elliot Lee got a goal back for Wrexham, heading home from James McClean’s corner with a lofted header which ended up rising over Alex Cairns and into the net with 39 minutes played.

Chances came few and far between in the second half, with Parkinson making a 64th minute double substitution in the hopes of getting Wrexham back on level terms.

Aaron Hayden forced Alex Cairns into a fantastic reflex save, with the goalkeeper having reacted well to deny Hayden’s 68th minute header at the back post.

Just a minute later, McClean found Mullin in the box with a brilliant cross from the right, but the forward’s flicked header drifted to the wrong side of the post.

Steven Fletcher and Jordan Davies both came extremely close to bringing Wrexham level, with the forward’s strike from inside the box saved at point-blank range by Cairns, while Davies saw his header just wide of the post.

Time was running out for the Red Dragons in their pursuit of an equaliser, but just with hope starting to fade in North Wales, Fletcher arrived with yet another brilliant late goal to rescue Wrexham’s hopes in the 88th minute.

Just a minute later with the sun back shining on the STōK Cae Ras, Davies rounded off a fantastic comeback and gave Wrexham the lead for the first time in the match, much to the disbelief of those in the stands who were still celebrating Fletcher’s strike.

Okonkwo went on to produce a fantastic save in the final moments to ensure Wrexham claimed all three points, holding on to Smith’s stoppage-time header as Salford tried to salvage a point out of the game.

The visitors’ weren’t able to find a response, with a spirited final few minutes from the Red Dragons ensuring that they climbed up to fifth place in the Sky Bet League Two table.

Wrexham AFC: Okonkwo, Hayden, O’Connell, O’Connor (Dalby 78’), James (Davies 64’), Jones (Tunnicliffe 93’), Evans, Lee, McClean, Palmer (Fletcher 64’), Mullin © (Young 93’).

Subs not used: Howard, McAlinden.

Salford City: Cairns, Ingram, John, Mariappa, Watt, Lund, Mallan (Watson 55’) Tilt, Smith, Bolton, Garbutt (Shephard 55’).

Subs not used: Wright, Watson, Dackers, Pedro, Humbles, Luamba.

Attendance: 9771 (674).