An accomplished second half performance from Wrexham saw Steven Fletcher and Paul Mullin score to claim victory against AFC Wimbledon.
For a third successive game, Phil Parkinson had named an unchanged eleven, with the added bonus of Ollie Palmer being deemed fit enough to be included on the bench.
Although this was a settled side compared to the visitors, it was Johnnie Jackson’s eleven who got off to the better start, as Aron Sasu proved to be a menace for the Wrexham backline.
His peeling run away from Anthony Forde in the 16th minute saw him beckon onto the Wrexham 18-yard line, before swiping an effort onto Arthur Okonkwo’s crossbar.
Despite Wrexham’s lack of urgency in the opening exchanges, they did shut up shop for the Wombles, as Parkinson’s men eventually gained more stable footing in the game, similarly to the Shrewsbury Town match in the week prior.
Wrexham saw out the half positively, with Elliot Lee and Mullin both having headed shots inside the Wimbledon box, however half time dawned and the scoreline remained goalless.
Only 90 seconds after the restart, Josh Davison pounced on Ben Tozer’s failure to stab an incoming ball away and he galloped through into the Wrexham box. One would have though for all their money that Davison would have tucked the ball from his right foot into Okonkwo’s far corner, but the number nine opted for his left foot and the ball veered inches wide of the post.
This moment was the catalyst for Wrexham’s shift in urgency.
The Red Dragons immediately stepped on the gas, as Lee and Fletcher almost put the Red Dragons ahead after Davison’s miss.
With a spring in their step now, it felt like the game was Wrexham’s to win.
And a goal did come for the Red Dragons just after the hour mark, whereby in similar fashion, Fletcher repeated his goal against Barrow.
174 career goals made no difference to Wimbledon’s mindset in marking Fletcher from James McClean’s corner, as the striker strode to the back post to place in the perfect side footed volley.
A goal which was easy on the eye, but criminal from the visitors’ point of view.
As has been the case many a time this season, one soon became two, as Mullin claimed his tenth league goal of the season.
What must be talked about is Fletcher’s role in the build-up to this goal. It started with the striker bringing the ball down effortlessly on his quad, to then rolling the ball in the opposite direction to completely sell two incoming Wimbledon players.
This allowed Fletcher to squirm a ball out to McClean, whose cross evaded Mullin in the box. Jack Currie seemed to be prepared for the ball to glide over Mullin’s head, but this didn’t prevent the ball from deflecting off his groin and back into the striking path of Mullin, who smashed the ball into the back of the net on the swivel.
Wimbledon, much like Shrewsbury, had failed to capitalise on their myriad of chances, giving Wrexham the opportunity to pounce.
Parkinson’s men must also be credited for how well they once again closed the game out. As was the case against Colchester United, Newport County, Swindon Town and Shrewsbury Town, Wrexham minimised Wimbledon’s ability to create any chances, thus subduing any pressure that could have landed at their door.
There has been many a time in seasons gone prior where we have conceded agonising last-minute goals, and this is a trait that is currently unbeknown of this season.
The 2-0 victory in front of our highest league crowd since March 1980 (12,478) pushed Wrexham up to second position, as Mansfield Town dropped two points away from home at Morecambe.
A trip to South Wales now awaits Wrexham, as the Men’s side take on Newport County at Rodney Parade on Saturday, whilst the Women face Cardiff City on Sunday at the Cardiff City Stadium.