PLASTIC’S NOT FANTASTIC FOR BOSS MILLS!
NO FAN of artificial pitches, Wrexham manager Gary Mills was satisfied with a hardfought victory against Hyde at Ewen Fields.
The Tigers have put down a brand new 3G pitch and Wrexham will play on similar surfaces against National League opponents Maidstone United and Sutton United in the coming months. Mills was grateful for yesterday’s dress rehearsal.
He said: “I didn’t like it (the surface); it slowed the game down because the ball seemed to stop every time we tried to pass it.
“But it’s a surface we’ve got to play on a couple of times this season so it was a good work-out from that point of view.”
Despite dominating the opening exchanges, Wrexham fell behind after 11 minutes to the first meaningful threat from the home side as Phil Dean showed Martin Riley a clean pair of heels before delivering a low cross that was converted at the back post by Curtly Martin-Wyatt.
Paul Rutherford squandered a good chance to level after 19 minutes when heading wide from Mark Carrington’s cross and John Rooney thumped a free kick just too high after Jordan Evans was fouled on the edge of the penalty area.
Hyde goalkeeper Thomas Beaurepaire almost gifted Wrexham a 33rd-minute equaliser with a miscued clearance that was recycled by new Dragons recruit Garry McDonagh for fellow newcomer Tyler Harvey whose 20-yard drive cannoned off the crossbar, but the stopper then redeemed himself with an excellent save from Harvey three minutes before the break.
Harvey was one of only two Wrexham players – the other being Curtis Tilt – to stay on after half-time as boss Mills made wholesale changes and youngster Callum Powell should have equalised in the 59th minute when he beat two defenders only to fire wide of the far post.
The visitors finally levelled in the 70th minute through Powell, who was put clear by Harvey to beat Beaurepaire at his near post and they won the match in added time with an unchallenged header by Khaellem Bailey-Nicholls.
Hyde boss Darren Kelly said: “I’m trying to get players together who want to work for each other and I was really proud of them today playing against an absolutely quality side in Wrexham.
“Their manager Gary Mills has always been a mentor to me, he creates fantastic teams and I’ve no doubt this season they will be right up there.”