DRAGONS ARE ON THE MARCH
Keates’ men go joint top
HEAD coach Carl Darlington reckons Wrexham will continue to improve after watching his side go level on points of leaders Sutton.
Chris Holroyd’s seventh goal of the season set the Dragons on the way to victory over Maidenhead United, although it was not until the visitors had Ryan Upward sent off on the hour that they took control of proceedings – James Jennings wrapping up the points 15 minutes from time.
“It was a great performance again,” Darlington said. “Defensively we looked very strong and they didn’t really cause us any problems.
“We’re looking better as a team going forward now, we’ve got the best defensive record in the league and it’s about keeping that consistency. We’re at the halfway point (of the season and being joint top is a great place to be.”
It was the visitors who started better, home keeper Chris Dunn forced into an early save to deny Remy Clerima and he was called into action again soon after to push away Harry Pritchard’s low drive.
So it was very much against the run of play when Dean Keates’ home side went ahead in the 18th minute and the Dragons enjoyed a huge slice of luck with Holroyd looking yards offside on receiving Jack Mackreth’s pass and striding on to fire the ball past Carl Pentney.
Pritchard again went close for the Magpies and Jake Hyde broke clear but, with only the keeper to beat, contrived to steer the ball wide of the target.
Maidenhead were thwarted again at the start of the second half when Harold Odametey’s a powerful goalbound shot that knocked Jennings off his feet, but their task looked even greater when Upward was given a straight red card by referee Marc Edwards on 61 minutes, Upward being shown a straight red following a clash with Wedgbury.
And Wrexham made them pay on 75 minutes – Shaun Pearson heading a Kevin Roberts free-kick on to Jennings who smashed an unstoppable shot past Pentney.
Maidenhead assistant boss Sam Lock added: “Losing 2-0 and a man sent off does not sound too good but I thought we actually played quite well and at the moment things aren’t quite dropping for us.
“We dominated for quite long spells and we are creating chances so we are disappointed with the result.”