Wrexham U19 9
Rochdale EDC U19 0
National League U19 Alliance (Division H)

Match Report

Despite a lacklustre first-half performance, Wrexham cruised to a nine-goal thrashing of bottom of the table Rochdale with Jacob Milner netting a 24-minute hat-trick either side of the half-time interval. Arguably the Young Reds most difficult opponent during the opening period was the gale force wind which blew across the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.

Milner was a constant threat as he jinked past the visiting defenders and after 15 minutes he was instrumental in the move which saw Dan Davies link with Caleb Hughes only for the latter’s shot to come back off the post. Sixty seconds later the Young Reds took the lead when full-back Davies netted with a header from Owen Cushion’s corner.

The chances continued to flow with Hughes shooting narrowly wide before Rochdale almost equalised, Rowan Davies’s poor back pass being intercepted by Callum Bond but his snap shot was well saved by Matty Hess. Another poor back pass from Aaron James created more difficulty for Hess and underlined the sloppy nature of Wrexham’s play.

That said, the game was all but over as a contest when Wrexham netted twice in the final five minutes of the half. The first was a goal of real class from Mikey Hayman, the striking capitalising on the industrious closing down of Callum Edwards to fire a composed finish into the far corner of the net. The second was a simple tap in at the far post for Milner, after a great run and cross from Dan Davies.

Rochdale made two changes at the interval to try and stem the tide but an injury to Curtys Anibie soon after the break effectively reduced them to ten men. Dan Nolan’s charges showed no mercy and almost added a fourth on 52 minutes when a quick free-kick from Cushion fed Alfie Lussey but his shot was superbly tipped over by Ethan Ellarby. However there was little the Dale keeper could do to stop Milner forcing home a Cushion corner just shy of the hour mark.

Nolan immediately introduced James Rainbird and Harry Ashfield into the action, Hayman and Edwards making way. With Rainbird playing in a more advanced role, Milner moved into the centre and soon completed his hat-trick with a composed finish after a great through ball from Ashfield. Dan Davies quickly made it six after a quick free-kick from Cushion before Ashfield scored a minute later with a great strike from the edge of the box.

Caleb Hughes made it 8-0 five minutes from time following a powerful run and cross from Rainbird, before Lussey rounded off the scoring when he converted a great ball from Rowan Davies. Only the heroics of Ellarby stopped Wrexham from hitting double figures with the keeper making another fine save from Milner just on full-time.