Wrexham AFC’s Under-18 side claimed a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Salford City on the road, with Harry Ashfield netting a hat-trick while Mikey Hayman and Harry Dean also got on the scoresheet.
The victory moved Wrexham up to second in the EFL Youth Alliance North West table, following a run of impressive performances from the young Red Dragons.
Wrexham started strongly against the Ammies, as Callum Edwards was brought down in the box after just ten minutes. Harry Ashfield then stepped up to take the penalty and calmly converted, making no mistake in breaking the deadlock early-on.
The 18-year-old then went on to double his side’s lead just eight minutes later, as he pressed well to close down the opposing goalkeeper, stole the ball and then fired into an empty net.
Ashfield then managed to grab his third of the afternoon, completing a 26-minute hat-trick, when Edwards picked up a loose ball in Salford’s box and squared it to Ashfield, who finished well into the bottom corner.
The young Red Dragons continued in search of a fourth, and eventually their persistence paid off in the 81st minute, when Mikey Hayman received Ashfield’s pass on the counter-attack and registered Wrexham’s fourth goal.
Tom Kelly added a fifth two minutes later, as he drove into the box and fired home at the second time of asking to round off a thoroughly impressive afternoon’s work on the road.
Speaking following the victory, Lead Professional Development Phase Coach, Nick Chadwick said: “It was a really good performance.
"I think that the way that the side have trained has been great but also how they played against Burnley (reserves) before, even though they were on the wrong side of the scoreline that day, they performed well.
"We asked them to do the same today and we’re getting consistency from the players now which is pleasing, and all credit must go to the players - they played really well.
“The lads are having to find a way to compete against players that are older and more senior than them and as a result it benefits them hugely when they compete in the EFL Youth Alliance.
“I think Salford were slightly younger so it was a different test for us playing a team that was slightly younger as opposed to a reserve team.”
Chadwick was also full of praise for a number of players who put in impressive performances, as he stated: “Harry (Ashfield) is doing outstandingly well, but we had a period in the game where we were loose in possession, but I thought that Jack Pilkington had one of his best games in goal and it was great for him to get a clean sheet as it was well deserved.
“Harry Dean also is playing really well at the minute, and for the defence a clean sheet is just as important as the goals at the top end of the pitch.
“I was really pleased with the second half. In particular, when we were 3-0 up at half time, to stay together, stay committed and make sure the performance was a good one is a testament to all the players - it was a good afternoon.
“The team’s progress has been unbelievable, we can’t underestimate where the players were when we first came in. It’s through their hard work and commitment that they’re continuously getting good results and performances.”
Wrexham AFC: Pilkington, Hayes, Nicholas, Moore, Dean, Purvis, Edwards, Roberts, Hayman, Ashfield (C), Rainbird.
