ACE TOZER DRAGONS THROWING A LIFELINE
HIS side may have failed to fully capitalise on Stockport County’s rare defeat, but Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson insisted he was satisfied with a point against fellow promotion chasers Solihull Moors in a Good Friday classic at the Racecourse.
In front of a crowd of 9,901 – their highest ever National League gate
– they found themselves behind to a Joe Sbarra opener on 56 minutes, only to level within seconds when Ollie Palmer rose above the
Moors defence to nod home from a Ben Tozer throw. The result keeps Parkinson’s men in second place – seven points behind leaders Stockport – ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Altrincham.
And with the unbeaten record stretched to 14 matches, Parkinson believes his side are in a good place. “I really couldn’t ask for more around in terms of the performance level today, we talk about it a lot and it was high,” he said.
“After the first 10-15 minutes I thought we controlled the game and played some great stuff.
“We had enough chances to win the game but today we weren’t able to take them.”
Neal Ardley’s Moors, unbeaten in the league since January, started on the front foot with Sbarra drawing an early save from Wrexham keeper Christian Dibble.
But after riding out that early pressure, Wrexham settled and controlled the majority of the proceedings.
They forced numerous opportunities from open play – 27 shots overall to be precise – with Paul Mullin, Jordan Davies, and late sub Liam McAlinden all going close to adding to Palmer’s solitary strike.
And they believe they were denied a clear penalty on 27
minutes when Mullin went to ground after falling from the challenge from Moors keeper Ryan Boot. Referee Garreth Rhodes remained unmoved and subsequently booked Mullin for simulation in the process.
“I haven’t had the benefit of seeing it back but I thought it was a penalty at the time,” Parkinson raged.
“It frustrates me that the ref books Mullin because he saw it as it’s either a pen or a yellow card. It creates tension for Paul for the rest of the game but I’ll have a good look at it afterwards.”
Solihull broke the deadlock on 54 minutes after Wrexham failed to clear and Sbarra scoring past Dibble for his 15th goal of the season.
But once again Wrexham forced their way back into the game two minutes later by utilising the ever successful Tozer throw, which this time fed the predatory Palmer.
Wrexham’s aerial ability has proved difficult to defend all season, and Parkinson believes it’s just another string to his side’s attacking bow.
“You have to give the opposition a variety of problems, whether it’s passing the ball, switching the play in wide areas or it’s a set play and the long throw,” he added.
“It can get you off and running in games and it was great to see that hit the back off the net from Ollie.”
Luke Young (Wrexham) 9,901 ★★★★★