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The visitors had the
upper hand and the better of the chances in the first period, Mark
Ovendale making a double save from Michael Carville in the first minute
and Darren Garner and captain John Brough having to make despairing
blocks to prevent Matty Dore's shot from finding the net. Jason Bowen
was foiled in the closing minute by a well positioned Michael Jones with
County's first effort on target..
An excellent second
half was unrecognisable from the first. Carville scored his first senior
goal for the North Walians seven minutes in, pouncing on Stewart
Edwards' mistimed header to round Ovendale and stroke the ball home.
Within five minutes the
hosts had scored twice in a rousing comeback. Charlie Griffin was hauled
down by Lee Roche and starman Bowen converted the spot kick with his
customary trickery to wrong foot Jones. County poured forward against
their nervous visitors who have not won a match in any competition in
2007. Bowen fed Steve Jenkins, Griffin headed his floated cross back
across goal and top scorer Craig Hughes forced the ball home at the far
post.
County could have added
to the scoreline and Hughes forced Jones into a pointblank save before
firing another effort fractionally wide. The impudent Bowen drew the
crowd to their feet, nutmeging Ryan Valentine before sending an
audacious 30 yard shot inches wide of the upright.
Lee McEvilly spurned a
golden chance to equalise in the last minute but County were not to be
denied a memorable victory.
Line-ups:
County: Ovendale, Jenkins,
Searle, Collier, Brough (c), Edwards, Bowen, Garner, Griffin, Hughes,
Evans (Hillier 90) Subs not used: Prosser, Toppar, Leek, Giles
Wrexham: Michael Jones, Roche, Valentine, Pejic, Mike Williams, Mark
Jones (Reed 67), McEvilly, Mackin, Carville (Johnson 90), Dore, Whitley
(c) Subs not used: Evans, Marc Williams, Spender
Scorers:
County: Jason Bowen (54 pen) and Craig Hughes (57)
Wrexham: Michael Carville (52)
Cautions:
County: Richard Evans (foul)
Wrexham: Lee Roche (foul)
Officials:
Referee: D John (Swansea); Assistants: G Hegarty (Cefn Hengoed) and K
Russell (Cardiff)
Attendance:
733
Conditions:
Dry, cold and windy
Man of the Match:
Official County Man of the Match; Jason Bowen
Reporter's County Man of the Match: Jason Bowen
Reporter's Wrexham Man of the Match: Matty Dore
Match Rating:
3/5 |
