VIRUS SCARE FUELS VICTORY
KIDDERMINSTER H 0 WREXHAM 4
WREXHAM boss Dean Keates hailed his relentless Dragons as they stepped up pre-season preparations with an eye-catching win at Kidderminster Harriers.
Luke Young, Kwame Thomas, Elliott Durrell and Adi Yussuf were all on target as the visitors showed a clinical edge in front of goal.
Keates was only cleared to attend the game at 9.30am after having to take a coronavirus test in the week, following a confirmed case at his daughter’s school.
But the manager, on his return to another former team, admitted his players could not be giving him more right now.
“We were relentless with our chances,” he said. “We created good half-chances the other night [in a 0-0 draw at AFC Telford United] but didn’t take them. This time, we took them well.
“It’s all about habits for us now. How the players apply themselves and how they play. I can’t fault them at the moment, they’re giving me everyover thing I’m asking them to.
“We’ve got nice competition for places. There’s virtually two players for every position.
“It’s been a hard pre-season. It’s been a little bit longer than it has been, but also everything going on with the pandemic and the protocols has made it a juggling act. We are where we are, but we’re happy with it.”
Young opened the scoring for the visitors on 10 minutes, finding space outside the area, dummying onto his left foot and unleashing a fierce strike from distance.
Thomas then bundled in the ball at the back post from a corner – his third goal of pre-season – to double Wrexham’s lead on 18 minutes.
Full-backs James Horsfield and Mark Carrington then combined in attack on 28 minutes for Wrexham, with the latter driving a shot wide from the former’s cross.
Anthony Jeffrey cut inside from the right on 32 minutes, but the dangerous winger shot over from 20 yards.
Despite their dominance Wrexham did not have it all their own way, and Rob Lainton turned Amari Morgan-Smith’s close-range effort the bar on 36 minutes.
The home side’s surge back did not last long though as a sweeping counter-attack ensured the visitors went in at the break three goals up.
Thomas squared the ball for Durrell to complete the move with a low finish on 40 minutes.
Anthony Jeffrey was too quick on 56 minutes, bursting away from his marker and winning a penalty, but the winger couldn’t add to his side’s lead as his low spot-kick was saved by Tom Palmer.
Substitute Yussuf came on and did add Wrexham’s fourth and final goal on the hour after some great persistence in the area following Jake Bickerstaff ’s shot.
The Blackpool loanee beat Palmer to the ball and, forced away from goal, spun onto his right foot and rifled in a cool finish.
That concluded the scoring, but Wrexham ensured they go into next week’s return fixture against AFC Telford United in excellent shape and hungry for more.
STAR MAN: Elliot Durrell (Wrexham) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★