Wrexham Youth 0
Blackpool U18 3
Football League Youth Alliance (North West Conference)

Match Report

Wrexham’s three-match unbeaten home stand came to an abrupt end against high-flying Blackpool courtesy of a second-half hat-trick from substitute Owen Watkinson. It was a result which will have left Young Reds’ coach Dan Nolan ruing his side’s missed opportunities, especially during an opening 45 minutes in which they dominated for long periods.

With Kyle Robinson-Murray and Jack Thorn ruled out through suspension, Nolan drafted in Patrick Jones and Cian Williams both of whom had featured for Wales in the Victory Shield internationals over in the Republic of Ireland the previous week. After a highly competitive opening ten minutes, Wrexham looked to have won a penalty when Matty Sargent was felled in the box but the referee surprisingly waved away the appeals and showed the Reds’ captain a yellow card.

Centre-back Bobby Beaumont then fired narrowly over with a fierce shot from inside the area before Blackpool striker Nathan Shaw wasted a glorious opportunity to give the visitors the lead, racing clear only to see his shot smash against the upright much to the relief of Wrexham custodian Ben Tinkley. The half ended with Max Cleworth heading home from a Sargent free-kick only for the defender’s effort to be ruled out for offside by the assistant’s flag.

Blackpool came more into the game after the interval although it was Wrexham who had the first effort of note, Jones seeing his shot blocked after good work by Jake Bickerstaff. The introduction of Watkinson for Will McGladdery on 65 minutes proved to be the game changing moment as six minutes later he opened the scoring, heading home a Shaw cross from close range.

The Seasiders’ lead was doubled barely two minutes after the restart, Watkinson racing through before calmly placing the ball past the stranded Tinkley. Watkinson duly completed his three-goal salvo six minutes later when he fired home from 25 yards to make sure of all three points for the visitors. It was tough on a very youthful Wrexham side who fought to the bitter end but just lacked that little bit of luck needed on the day.