A game of few chances saw Steve Arnold’s own goal gift Wrexham the three points against Southend United.
The efforts of the groundstaff and multiple people at Wrexham, meant that the pitch would be playable for this fixture, but this didn’t make conditions any easier for the 22 players on the pitch.
Phil Parkinson named an unchanged squad for his 100th game in charge of Wrexham AFC, after the impressive display away to Dagenham & Redbridge last Tuesday.
After a slow opening twenty minutes, Ollie Palmer would have the first chance of the game in the 23rd minute. His downward header from Elliot Lee’s free-kick was saved by a diving Arnold in net.
Injuries to Jordan Tunnicliffe and Rob Lainton created multiple stoppages in the half, which added to the stop-start nature of the game. Both fought through and would play the full 90 minutes of the affair.
However, the goal did come for Wrexham and fortuitously at that.
Ben Tozer’s cross from the left-wing was about to land into the mitts of Arnold, but under pressure from Paul Mullin, he dropped the ball sideways into his own net. Mullin’s arm did make contact with Arnold’s, but the referee deemed the goal legitimate in the 38th minute.
Just minutes later, Eoghan O’Connell would have a glorious chance at the back-post to double the lead. Tozer’s long throw from the right-wing made it through a whole host of bodies, right onto the foot of O’Connell, but Arnold swept across the goal to deflect the ball onto the post, preventing the goal.
Half time was called and the Red Dragons would take the lead into the break, courtesy of Steve Arnold.
Just a couple of minutes after the restart, Lee would pounce on a loose ball and run at the Southend United defence. Laying the ball off to Mullin, the striker then took a touch and tried to curl the ball past Arnold, but the goalkeeper easily pushed it away from danger.
A deep corner in the 76th minute found Mullin at the far post completely unmarked. Although reminiscent of his goal at Maidenhead, the ball flew over the bar on this occasion.
Expecting a barrage to come in the final 15 minutes, Wrexham controlled the game magnificently, preventing the Shrimpers from having a genuine chance on goal.
Full time was called and Wrexham would move onto 91 points for the season. A game that was a real battle and a game where Wrexham claimed all three points!
Wrexham AFC: (5-3-2): Wrexham Starting XI: Lainton (GK), Barnett, O'Connell, Tozer (C), Tunnicliffe, Mendy, J.Jones, Cannon (J.Davies 68’), Lee (McFadzean 85’), Palmer (Dalby 72’), Mullin.
Subs not used: Howard (GK), Cleworth
Southend United: Arnold, Scott Morriss, Ralph (C), Hobson, Kensdale, Bridge, Husin, Mooney (Fonguck 67’), Miley, Wrey (Murphy 67’), Cardwell (Powell 82’)
Subs not used: Lomas, Taylor
Attendance: 9,770 (A 726)
Wrexham Bookings: None
Southend United Bookings: Miley 22’ (foul), Kensdale 39’ (dissent)
Man of the Match: Jordan Tunnicliffe