A young Wrexham AFC Reserves side started their Central League season with a heavy defeat away to Barrow Reserves at Bower Fold.
Callum Edwards scored the Red Dragons’ only goal in a 5-1 loss, while Bryce Hosannah played the first half and Liam McAlinden got a full 90 minutes under his belt.
Young professionals Aaron James, Dan Davies and Owen Cushion also completed the match, while Wrexham fielded two 16-year-olds and four 17-year-olds in the starting line-up.
Barrow, by contrast, boasted an experienced line-up that included ex-Wales centre-back James Chester and first-team players Elliot Newby and Kian Spence.
There were just six minutes on the clock when Barrow’s striker broke the deadlock, and Robbie Gotts doubled the advantage just after the 20-minute mark.
The hosts were 4-0 up before half-time, with their unlisted striker scoring one of those, and he completed his hat-trick midway through the second-half.
With Hosannah withdrawn at the break, Wrexham’s average age dropped even further but the Red Dragons did claim a late consolation – Edwards scoring in the final minute for the Reserves’ first goal of the season.
Wrexham AFC line-up: Pilkington, Edwards, Hosannah (Wright 46), James, D.Davies, Nicholas, Rainbird, Cushion, R.Owen (Lussey 46), Ashfield (Moore 76), McAlinden
Subs not used: H.Roberts