ALL UP HILL FOR CARDS
Dragons pile on misery
VERDICT: Wrexham edge further away from the drop zone and were worthy winners, but it’s worrying times for Garry Hill’s Woking, who have lost their last three
WREXHAM manager Dean Keates is hoping his side have turned a corner after notching only their second victory in seven outings against fellow strugglers Woking at the Racecourse. New signings Izale McLeod and James Jennings both played their part in a hard-fought success, and the Dragons’ boss believes their experience will be vital as he looks to climb the table. He said: “I didn’t ask for a performance today, I just said to the lads it was about getting the three points and anything else would be a bonus. “The pleasing thing is that they were rewarded for their hard work. “It was very edgy with people on both sides afraid to make a mistake, but in the second half I told them to raise the tempo and go for the throat. “I was proud of the way they did that, and we scored a couple of good goals.” Keates, who is hoping to add further new faces in the week ahead, praised both of his new boys. “James is one of the best fullbacks in the division and I’m grateful the board have backed me in going for him,” he added. “Izale has not played for a while, and you could see that, but he linked up with Jordan (White) and they are two experienced players who are good to have in the dressing room.” Woking defender Brian Saah was in exactly the right place to deny Leo Smith an early goal by blocking the youngster’s closerange shot following a fine run and cross by Jennings, but the visitors slowly gained in confidence and gave as good as they got as the game wore on, Fabio Saraiva testing home keeper Chris Dunn with a stinging longrange effort on the half-hour. The second half opened in explosive fashion with the game’s three goals squeezed into a breathless eightminute spell, the first going to the Dragons in the 52nd minute. Rob Evans and Jordan White com-
bined down the left flank before the striker spotted John Rooney in space, and the midfielder was able to pick his spot with a low shot into the net.
But the Dragons were ahead for only three minutes, Saraiva equalising with an opportunistic diving header that gave Dunn no chance after Nathan Ralph’s initial shot was blocked.
The goal rush continued as Wrexham restored their advantage on the hour through skipper Evans, who latched onto an offtarget effort by White and drove the ball past Poke.
The Cards refused to fold, however, and Dunn denied them a share of the spoils with three fine saves in quick succession to thwart Saraiva, Connor Hall and Murtagh before Hall then volleyed over the bar from close range. “We were unlucky and we deserved at least a draw,” claimed a disappointed Woking boss Garry Hill. “At 1-1 the game was evenly poised, but what should have been a throw-in to us went to Wrexham, and they went on to score from it. “That was a body-blow, but we responded well and created more chances after that. “In fairness, their goalkeeper had a good game, and he stopped a couple of great shots.”