Wrexham U19 11
Stockport County EDC U19 2
National League U19 Alliance (Division H)

Match Report

Wrexham produced a stunning display of attacking football to thrash Stockport County 11-2 at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium, a result which takes them to the top of the National League Youth Alliance table. The achievement was even more pleasing for the fact that no less than nine of the starting XI were first year trainees, captain Jacob Milner and keeper Matty Hess being the two senior players.

In an evenly contested opening, it was the Young Reds who took the lead after eight minutes when centre-back Harry Dean headed home James Rainbird’s left-wing corner. Stockport soon came close to levelling matters, but Hess was on hand to turn Flynn McSorley’s goalbound shot away for a corner.

With Wrexham’s midfield trio of Harry Ashfield, Callum Edwards and Alfie Lussey starting to dominate, it was no surprise when the home side doubled their lead on 25 minutes. Lussey’s superb cross-field pass found Milner on the edge of the penalty area and the young forward cut back inside his marker to score with a low shot past Luke Graham. Mikey Hayman then capitalised on a fine through ball from Jake Roberts to race clear and make it three with a clinical right foot shot.

County pulled a goal back six minutes before the interval when a corner found its way to Lucas Lawley just outside the area and the midfielder drove the ball home with a low shot that gave Hess no chance. The Reds responded with a burst of three goals inside five minutes to put the result beyond doubt. Firstly, Milner scored from close range after excellent work from Hayman, next Rainbird netted with a thunderous shot from Cai Evans’ through ball before Hayman made it 6-1 with another poacher’s finish after Milner’s cross was deflected into his path.

That proved to be Milner’s last involvement as he gave way to Caleb Hughes at the interval and the substitute got his name on the scoresheet within two minutes of his introduction. Poor marking at a corner allowed the visitors to reduce the arrears on 50 minutes when Callum Rowland escaped headed home unchallenged. However, the impressive Lussey restored Wrexham’s six-goal advantage just past the hour mark when he was on hand to fire home after Hayman’s initial effort had been parried by the County keeper.

Wrexham continued to press, and star-man Hayman deservedly completed his hat-trick after 76 minutes when he finished a fine solo run with another calm display of marksmanship. Not to be outdone, Hughes added two further goals in the final ten minutes to record his own trio with the first a quite stunning finish which went in off the post with Hayman grabbing an assist, the second coming courtesy of Lussey’s fine pass.

“It was a very pleasing performance given it was the first time that group had played together. We looked like we really wanted to score goals today, there were some great finishes and good attacking play,” reflected coach Dan Nolan who also had special praise for Hayman. “Mikey’s finding a real nice balance between knowing when to drop in and create that little overload, when to be a focal point and when to spin in behind. He’s got great variety to his game and has improved as he’s gone on through the season; he’s turning into a good striker.”