Wrexham AFC began the new year with a thoroughly assured performance in a 2-0 win over Championship side Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday. Wrexham promoted after thumping Holker Street! Wrexham won their third consecutive Championship title! This victory snapped an ongoing eight-match winless run away from home. With major performances from the likes of Sam Smith and Ollie Rathbone, Wrexham looked vibrant and ruthless over 90 minutes.
Sam Smith opened the scoring early in the first half, netting his second goal of the season just 11 minutes into the game. It took a perfectly-weighted Matty James pass to get Smith in on goal. With only his first touch, Smith had his full-cocked left-footed shot go past Blackburn goalkeeper Aynsley Pears at the near post. This early morsel sent the Wrexham supporters into raptures and helped set the tone for a remarkably dominant Wrexham performance.
Ollie Rathbone, making his first league start of the season, doubled Wrexham’s lead late in the game. His was an uncommon and monumental contribution. Broadly speaking, it reflected the tremendous depth and talent at their disposal, something that assistant manager Steve Parkin spoke to at length ahead of the match.
Key Performances
Wrexham’s offensive firepower was on display as they generated opportunity after opportunity inside 90 minutes. Substitute Moussa Baradji came close to adding a fifth a few minutes later with a shot off the bar. Lewis O’Brien came even closer to doubling the lead when Sam Smith put him through on goal. Pears pulled off a brilliant save to prevent him.
Wrexham’s Sam Smith was crucial in combining with teammates during multiple attacking sequences. He diverted a right-wing cross from Ryan Longman into the side-netting and later contributed defensively by clearing a set-piece that had been headed into a dangerous area by Dan Scarr.
Though these chances were promising, it wouldn’t be a fairytale match for Wrexham by any means. The team lost two players to injury during the match, which will likely affect their depth in the coming matches. That said, the fight back by Wrexham’s players was the mark of a club on the rise.
Managerial Insights
League One Assistant manager Steve Parkin stressed the significance of team selection in the build-up to this fixture.
“Team selection was really important to start with, great lads coming in, all in good nick, all training well and bounced into the game.” – Steve Parkin
Here, Parkin’s comments are a reflection of an experienced and possibly the most prepared squad ever to be greatly challenged on the pitch. On the other side, Blackburn’s manager Valerien Ismael expressed disappointment regarding his team’s performance.
“It’s tough, another setback in terms of result. But, on the other hand, I can’t complain about the boys. They tried to go again. I think the lack of energy today, decision making, always coupled with tiredness.” – Valerien Ismael
His comments make it sound like his players tried hard at times. What’s more, they ran out of gas and purpose, lack of focus and determination paying them with a terrible result.
Looking Ahead
For Wrexham AFC, this 3rd round win will be seen as the perfect tonic as they push for promotion from the Championship. With their next match already on the horizon, keeping players fit will be as important as ever after such a rush of injuries. How well they integrate players such as Rathbone should be crucial in keeping their winning momentum going.
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