Wrexham AFC 1-0 Notts County
Red Dragons climb back into top three after impressive win
Steven Fletcher’s seventh league goal of the season lifted Wrexham AFC back into the automatic promotion spots, as they claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Notts County at the STōK Cae Ras.
The visitors started strongly, as Arthur Okonkwo made a number of crucial saves to keep the scores level early on.
Fletcher then went on to break the deadlock after 20 minutes, as his acrobatic effort rifled into the back of the net to give Wrexham an important advantage.
David McGoldrick thought he’d levelled the scores in the 70th minute as he found the back of the net from close-range, but it was ruled out for handball almost immediately.
The fourth official indicated a minimum of seven minutes added-on, but the Wrexham faithful rallied behind the side as the Red Dragons held on for a crucial three points against last season’s National League title rivals.
Phil Parkinson made three changes from Tuesday night in Sutton, as James Jones, Ryan Barnett and Paul Mullin came in.
They replaced Jack Marriott, Luke Bolton and George Evans – who suffered an injury in South London which forced him to be substituted.
David McGoldrick got the match underway in North Wales, and the visitors quickly tested Parkinson’s side as Arthur Okonkwo was called into action after just one minute and seven seconds.
Dan Crowley’s impressive cross from the right found the prolific Macaulay Langstaff in Wrexham’s box, but Okonkwo was more than equal to his powerful header from close-range, producing a heroic save to keep the scores level.
Eoghan O’Connell was then called into action, deflecting an effort from County’s number nine, before Steven Fletcher produced an acrobatic clearance from inside the box to keep the deadlock intact.
After suffering through and initial spell of pressure from the Magpies, the Red Dragons were eventually rewarded for their patience as Fletcher netted the first goal of the match after just 20 minutes.
Barnett was enjoying a plethora of success down the right-side, and it was his cross that found the former Scotland international, who challenged for the initial header in a crowded box.
The 36-year-old was most alert, and it paid off for the forward, as whilst falling to the ground, he managed to produce a technically excellent volley into the far corner which left Luca Ashby-Hammond with no chance.
Okonkwo yet again made a fine stop, this time denying David McGoldrick’s left-footed effort after 24 minutes at the STōK Cae Ras, which seemed destined to reach the back of the net.
