One of the best displays of the season saw Wrexham thump Dagenham & Redbridge by four goals.
With the past two visits to the Chigwell Construction Stadium causing heartbreak for Wrexham fans, there would be nerves for some heading into this game.
However, Maidenhead’s 90th minute equaliser in the fixture prior would be Dagenham’s nightmare, as it meant that Phil Parkinson’s men walked onto the pitch wanting to respond; and respond they did.
Ollie Palmer returned to the starting XI, as Parkinson showed off the breadth of his squad, with the luxury of resting captain Luke Young.
Within six minutes, Eoghan O’Connell had strayed down the right-wing from his right centre-back role, to deliver a delightful cross into the middle, where an observant Palmer would sweep the ball into the back of the net to open the scoring.
Palmer would double his tally just after half time too, where he was first to capitalise on a loose ball in the box, to hit the ball past a rooted Elliot Justham in net.
That marked four goals in two games against the Daggers for Palmer, and the striker was unlucky to not complete his hat-trick near the hour mark, after an eye-catching one-two with Paul Mullin led to his shot being bound for the bottom corner from close range, if it wasn’t for the outstretched foot of Sam Ling.
What really drew the eyes of Wrexham fans in this game was the performance of Elliot Lee and Andy Cannon in the midfield. As ever, the free-flowing, fluid football had Lee at the helm, whilst Cannon mopped up any outbreak from the hosts, as he swept up the midfield.
Lee would pick up two assists during the game, one for Jordan Tunnicliffe’s header and another for Jacob Mendy’s slotted goal. The delivery for both goals was pinpoint and optimised the class of Elliot Lee.
James Jones didn’t have a quiet game either, hitting the post twice throughout the match, with the ball rebounding so close to the goalline on both occasions.
Such a complete performance, at a ground where we have struggled so much in recent years, is a tribute to performances this season. Such a display with four starting eleven changes was so pleasing too see too, and a testament to the chemistry within the squad.
New signing Ryan Barnett also proved to be a handful on the right-wing, with more step-overs than one could count. There was end product to this as well, with one cross leading to Palmer’s second goal of the night.
Defensively, Wrexham looked complete, with little trouble coming from the home side. Even with that being said, the Red Dragons did not take their foot off the gas throughout the entire game, giving Dag & Red no hope whatsoever.
With Notts County not playing that night, Wrexham would catch up to the Magpies with games played, and burst four points past them at the top of the table.
Southend United will be Wrexham’s next opposition, when they come to the Racecourse Ground this Saturday.