Wrexham Reserves 3
Bury Reserves 2
Central League (West Division)

Match Report

Wrexham made light work of what was always going to be a heavy pitch, following all the rain we have endured of late, to win their third game on the bounce in this Pontin's League match against Bury at Globe Way. Irish forward Michael Carvill helped himself to a brace of goals in the first half and then laid on another for substitute Obi Anoruo.

Wrexham almost forged in front after just three minutes, but Matty Crowell’s placed shot struck the underside of the Bury crossbar before crashing down and out of the goal. While the rain actually relented throughout the 90 minutes of play, it had been hammering down onto the pitch right up until kick off, but the Dragons insisted on getting the ball down and playing, despite the soft conditions under foot. And winger George Stewart certainly showed some silky skills on a difficult surface, giving his marker a torrid time, with some delicate skills, blistering pace and determination to win every ball.

The first goal arrived on 26 minutes and it came from an unusual source, the head of Mike Carvill! Crowell’s pin point cross into the box saw the striker get between two towering centre halves and direct his effort back across keeper Aaron Grundy. Two minutes later and Wrexham’s advantage was doubled, this time Stewart’s good work on the left saw him drag a pass back to Carvill on the corner of the visitors’ box. The forward looked up before curling a fine effort round the keeper and inside the far post. More goals should have followed with Carvill firing across the face of the Bury goal and Levi Mackin missing with a header, whilst Stewart dragged a hurried effort just passed a post and then the keeper making a fingertip save to deny a Carvill chip.

Silvio Spann took a boot in the face just before the break and headed to hospital for attention, which resulted in a stitch to his upper lip and some painkillers for a sore head, and scholar Chris Marriott took his place for the second half. Bury reduced the arrears on 56 minutes, when a long ball through the middle saw Richie Barker outpace Michael Jones to the pass and the striker was able to skip round the goalkeeper to score.

Only eight minutes after coming on the pitch, Obi Anoruo marked his debut with a goal, converting from close range after Carvill had set the youngster with great opportunity. The game burst back into life with Obi passing up several good opportunities to add to his own tally before Bury once again closed the deficit on 86 minutes, as Jack Dorney managed to get in front of Jones to head home a cross from the left. Even then Obi fired straight at the keeper when fed by Mackin and then the skipper struck his own effort wide of the target when Crowell had done the groundwork.

Coach Joey Jones was delighted at the outcome and the attitude shown by his players: “It was an unpleasant evening to be playing, but the lads stuck to their task and I thought we gave a great display,” he said. “Up front Mike Carvill was outstanding, showing just how good a striker he can be, thriving on some good service from both sides of the pitch. There were also a number of other great performances and we should really have won by more. This was a first start for George Stewart in the reserves, while Obi Anoruo also made his debut as a second half sub. He grabbed one goal but could have five!”