A twelve-goal bonanza at the Racecourse saw Wrexham overcome Barnet 7-5.
An emphatic attacking display through multiple avenues earned both Aaron Hayden and Paul Mullin a brace each.
Shifting through the gears was a prevalent concept in this game, as Elliot Lee dictated the tempo throughout, earning him a man of the match award.
Hayden’s aerial threat when in offence was once again a force to be reckoned with, with his second goal a testament to this. However, it was the opening goal of the game that showcased a collectiveness to his finishing, as he stroked the ball home with his left foot, after an outstanding first touch.
The players were arguably too relaxed after this opening goal, allowing Barnet to score twice in succession. The positive of this is how quickly and easily the Wrexham players were able to step up their game and retake the lead with a deflected free-kick and a first-time curled finish from Mullin.
Phil Parkinson later said in his press conference that “we were lacklustre in our defence” and that “we switched off defensively.” Although pleased with the incredible attacking display, no manager would be pleased with conceding five goals. Parkinson said that he would have to “rectify what we weren’t happy with” on Monday when the players prepare for their upcoming FA Cup Qualifier against Blyth Spartans.
The Wrexham manager touched on the tight, high-scoring games in some of Barnet’s recent results, winning 4-3 and losing 5-4 in the three games prior to Wrexham. Although no one depicted a twelve goal thriller, goals were always on the cards in this fixture, especially with Wrexham being the top scoring side across the first five divisions of English football.
Fans would have left the game bittersweet, due to the rollercoaster ride that was this match, as the wider football world all dashed to see just what quite happened in this affair.
Fifteen goals conceded this season does not put Wrexham out of place with any of the sides around us in the play-offs, and a goal difference of +23 from 13 games is a feat to be proud of.
Parkinson and his team will work on any defensive errors from Monday and we are in no doubt that the defensive unit will be eager to earn a clean sheet against Blyth in the next fixture.
The positives remain from this game; the incredible performance from Lee in his first home start for the Red Dragons and Wrexham’s ability to retake the lead and just relentlessly scoring. At the start of the season last year, goals were hard to come by at home for Wrexham, so it is truly pleasing to see the almost ten thousand fans treated to such attacking displays at the Racecourse.