Huddersfield Town Reserves 1
Wrexham Reserves 1
Central League

Match Report

Wrexham came within four minutes of sealing a first Central League win of the season at Huddersfield’s impressive training ground on Leeds Road. Buoyed by a resolute defensive display, Dave Jones’ side dominated the second period and thoroughly deserved Kai Evans’ 72nd minute opener. With the Reds having to withstand some late pressure from their EFL Championship opponents, Huddersfield trailist Rafael Garcia capitalised on a cruel deflection off James Rainbird to rifle home an equaliser.

With both teams fielding youthful starting elevens, Wrexham opened brightly and almost took the lead with their first attack of note after eight minutes. Kai Evans broke down the left wing and cut back onto his right foot to send a looping effort wide of the far post. Five minutes later and Evans repeated the feat only for his effort to rattle the crossbar and rebound to safety, much to the relief of Terriers’ keeper Josh Mazfari.

With captain Scott Butler impressively marshalling the Reds’ back four, the home side were kept at distance although Kai Calderbank-Park was tested by a Conor Falls header which the Australian U21 international did well to tip onto the bar seven minutes before the break.

Wrexham showed greater attacking intent after the interval with Dan Jones making several forceful runs from right-back, whilst Jake Bickerstaff led the line well. It was the former Nantwich Town loanee who set up Kai Evans on 52 minutes only for Mazfari to save well. Trialist A then rolled his marker to race through on goal only to pull his shot narrowly wide before a Butler header caused concern in the home defence.

The goal Wrexham’s play deserved finally arrived when Bickerstaff evaded Charles N'Duwuisi-Ondo’s challenge and unselfishly squared the ball for Evans to tap home from close range. The pair combined again moments later but this time Evans sliced his shot wide before Bickerstaff forced another fine save from Mazfari low down at his near post.

Huddersfield introduced Garcia for Cian Philpott after 78 minutes and this seemed to spark the home side, with Connor Shanks firing narrowly over. Then came that late leveller as a cross from the right rebounded off Rainbird perfectly into the path of Garcia who made no mistake from 15 yards-out. It was a cruel blow for Wrexham, and it could have been worse with Calderbank-Park having to dive full length to save Sonny Whittingham’s goal bound effort in injury time.