Wrexham vs Harrogate Town – Match Report

Stalemate at The Racecourse Ground

A goalless draw meant a well earnt point on the road for Town who stood strong defensively. A point which saw few chances for Town in the attacking third, but the defence were kept busy with O’Connor and Burrell at the heart of it.

Town came into this one winless in their six league games however looked to continue the good away form throughout the season by picking up points against high-flying Wrexham who going into tonight’s clash occupied the final automatic promotion spot.

Despite Town’s promising form on the road, so to is the same for Wrexham when playing at The Racecourse Ground, having only lost two league games there since the start of the campaign.

A tough ask for Simon Weaver and his men, but sitting 2nd in the form guide when playing away from home this season would give the side hope that they can take back points to Harrogate.

As for Town’s team news on the night, it was March and Gibson who entered the lineup in replace of Foulds and Dooley from last time’s outing against Crawley.

Weaver opted to shift things around in an attacking sense with Jack Muldoon moving to the right of a front three alongside Abraham Odoh down the left and Josh March through the middle, whilst skipper George Thomson playing a more reserved role making up a midfield two with Dean Cornelius.

For Wrexham, manager Phil Parkinson remained with the same eleven that won away to Morecambe at the weekend.

It was an end-to-end start to the game which was matched with the intensity of the crowd early on. The first chance fell the way of Town as Odoh and Abu linked up well in their new wingback roles on the night with Weaver playing a 3-5-2 formation which proved to be a problem. A cross from Odoh found the head of Abu who leapt well but his effort went narrowly wide of the post.

Shortly after on 9 minutes, Wrexham’s first opportunity came from a corner which evaded a few bodies before finding the feet of Boyle who couldn’t find the target from 12 yards out.

Chances were of a premium for both sides throughout the first half, but Town showed glimpses of promise as Thomson had a couple of shots blocked from range looking to recreate something similar to his goal against Crawley at the weekend.

Just before the interval, Gibson was forced off due to injury to be replaced by Foulds. Hopefully nothing too serious having just returned from his previous hamstring injury.

After the break, it was one way traffic with Wrexham piling on the pressure onto Town however the defence stood strong to slow the momentum and settle into the half.

Wrexham’s best chance fell to Palmer on 57 minutes as he drove inside shifting the ball past Burrell, but his powerful strike couldn’t test the hands of Belshaw and just went wide of the left post. Warning signs were there for Town.

On 70 minutes Belshaw was called into action to prevent the ball from nestling in the corner via a Boyle header. The ball was whipped into the box from Lee on the left wing, the resulting header was smothered by Belshaw who did well to hold onto ball and halt any further danger.

Heading into the final 15 minutes, Weaver made two changes to freshen up the legs going forward with Sivi coming on for March, and Cornelius for Sutton.

The home side worked a great chance on 80 minutes as the ball was played into the box and flicked around the corner by Mullin to the substitute Marriott who had a clear sight of goal but miskicked strike not troubling Belshaw or the scoreline.

Belshaw was once again alive and determined to keep his clean sheet as a late attempt 25 yards from goal which was flying into the top corner well saved to deny Wrexham the three points late on.

Wrexham threw everything they had to try and get the win in injury time, but Burrell was there to block the strike which was heading goal bound.

A defensive performance to remember for Town who stood looked solid in the first half at both ends of the pitch. However, in the second 45 minutes the defence was to thank for seeing the side over the line to take a point back to Harrogate.