Wrexham Reserves 4
The New Saints 2
Reserve Friendly

Match Report

The Dragons’ second string had to come from a goal down to beat their Welsh Premier League opponents who included former Racecourse favourites Steve Evans, Conall Murtagh and Alex Darlington in their starting line-up at Colliers Park.

In a free flowing match, it was Wrexham who took the lead after 15 minutes when Mansour Assoumani scrambled the ball home following a near post corner. The visitors should have equalised just past the half-hour mark when a ball over the top of the Dragons’ defence put John Toner clear but his shot went wide. Roscoe then brought a fine reaction save from Gavin Ward before good work from Silvio Spann, playing in an unaccustomed forward role, provided Christian Gyan with an opportunity but his goalbound shot was well blocked by Phil Baker.

Wrexham’s interval lead just four minutes as TNS made a lively start to the second period. A fine run from Darlington ended with the young striker upended in the box and he picked himself up to send Ward the wrong way from the penalty spot. With Kai Edwards introduced into the action for Liverpool trialist Ben Parsonage on 55 minutes, Wes Baynes pushed further forward into midfield but that didn’t stop TNS from taking a shock 58th minute lead, a long diagonal ball from Craig Williams providing Jamie Ward with the chance to shoot past his namesake.
The visitors’ advantage lasted barely two minutes as Steve Abbott converted Tremarco’s cross and substitute Ron Pearson nearly gave Wrexham the lead after 67 minutes but his flick header from Spann’s corner was off target.

Clearly enjoying his more advanced role, Baynes then went on a superb mazy run which resulted in him firing a right-foot shot narrowly past the wrong side of the upright. Sixty seconds later and more good work from Spann and Pearson resulted in Gyan’s low shot being tipped onto the base of the post by Paul Harrison. Wrexham’s constant pressure finally told on 74 minutes when Baynes rifled home a shot on the half-volley before ten minutes from time Baker put through his own net under pressure from Abbott. Ruscoe forced another late save from Ward but the Dragons were worthy winners.