Wrexham Youth 2
Preston North End U18 1
Football League Youth Alliance (North West Conference)

Match Report

Dan Nolan’s Young Reds finally enjoyed their first taste of victory this season as goals from Calum Huxley and Jake Bickerstaff sealed a welcome win over high-flying Preston North End at Stansty. It was no less than Wrexham deserved as they took the game to their opponents from the off showing a determination and self-belief which belied their 14 game winless run.

Their quick start was rewarded inside the first four minutes as a fine run from Kyle Robinson-Murray, playing his last match before a three-game suspension, saw him break at speed down the right flank before crossing for Huxley to net at the far post with an improvised finish. Robinson-Murray almost doubled Wrexham’s lead soon afterwards when another mazy run resulted in the youngster curling a shot from the edge of the box which slammed against the upright.

The visitors responded with a header from Lewis Earl back across the six-yard box which somehow evaded the onrushing Tyler Williams and Jerome Jolly. It was a narrow escape for Wrexham but Preston soon levelled on 26 minutes when Ethan Walker’s free-kick rebounded off the crossbar and fell kindly for Louis Potts to score with a simple header past Adrian Kroll.

The Reds U15 keeper then had to be alert to deny Jolly with a fine save, the loose ball being hit against the post in the ensuing scramble before Kroll managed to gather at the second attempt.

After the interval Jolly saw another effort disallowed for offside before Wrexham’s Matty Sargent hit a thunderous 25-yard free-kick which was superbly saved by James Cottom. Then on the hour mark came what proved to be the match winner as Bickerstaff pounced on a long throw from Jack Thorn to race into the box and shot low past Cottom.

Wrexham should have been awarded a penalty ten minutes from time when substitute Patrick Jones latched on to a through ball from Scott Butler only to be upended in the box. Despite the protests of the Reds’ players the referee chose to wave play on and the match official further incurred their wrath by playing 12 minutes of added time.
Thankfully for Wrexham there was to be no denying them victory and the final whistle was greeted with celebration.