This weekend saw Wrexham travel to face Shrewsbury in the FA Cup third round and they secured their place in the fourth round with a 1-0 win. Here are our player ratings…
A local derby trip to Shrewsbury beckoned for Wrexham as they looked to continue their great form this season so far.
Following their heroics of the FA Cup last year, Phil Parkinson would have been coming into this one looking to replicate that.
It was a game which largely went the way of the hosts as they had plenty of chances. The first fell to Chey Dunkley whose deflected effort went narrowly wide.
Tummise Sobowale had the next big chance of the first half. He somehow missed from six yards out. Yet another warning shot to the Reds.
Steven Fletcher had his chances, as did Elliot Lee but it was the hosts who looked like they were coming closest to winning the tie.
It looked like that until Tom O’Connor had a deflected effort ripple the back of the net after some great passing play. Substitute Sam Dalby laid it off to him and the makeshift defender did the rest with a stroke of luck.
Shrewsbury had yet another guilt-edged chance right at the end as Taylor Perry dragged it wide from seven yards. He had to score, but Wrexham do not care. They are in the fourth round of the FA Cup once again.
A narrow and hard-fought win for the Reds. Here are our player ratings…
Wrexham Player Ratings
Arthur Okonkwo- 7/10
On the day, Okonkwo made all the saves he needed to, was calm on the ball and was his typically solid self. Adds so much to the Wrexham side and helps to start attacks on many occasions.
Anthony Forde- 5/10
It was a quiet day at the office for Forde who didn’t really get going in the game. He was substituted for Ryan Barnett in what was probably the right decision. A hard one to give a fair score in these player ratings.
Max Cleworth- 6/10
Another solid performance from the youngster who has been good in recent weeks. There were a few times where he looked shaky but with a clean sheet, he did what he needed to.
Ben Tozer- 6/10
Tozer’s throw-ins looked like a real threat all day long giving Marko Marosi the fears all afternoon. Solid at the back once again and contributed heavily to the clean sheet, often helping out Cleworth.
Tom O’Connor- 7/10
The matchwinner. O’Connor often looked to get forward and looked menacing when he did so. He got the goal that won the game and sent Wrexham through to yet another fourth-round FA Cup tie. Well worth a high score in these player ratings.
James McClean- 7/10
A man who just knows how to get under the opposition’s skin. All day he was nattering away to the Shrewsbury defenders and was also a threat when he had the ball. He looked good and certainly made a positive impact.
Andy Cannon- 6/10
It was a tough day for Cannon as he was often swamped by the opposition whenever he got on the ball. He wasn’t given a chance to do anything and as a result, gets an average score on the player ratings.
George Evans- 8/10
What a player. Evans looked a cut above, to say the least on the day. Everything good Wrexham did came through the Englishman. He was superb defensively but also looked classy on the ball when carrying it forward. A great performance and played a huge part in the result.
Elliot Lee- 6/10
It was an up-and-down performance for Lee. Despite being given the Player of the Match award by S4C, he doesn’t get a great score in these player ratings. He often dropped deep and struggled in a compact midfield. His first touch was often poor and he probably should have scored.
Paul Mullin- 7/10
Super Paul Mullin just did not stop all day. He ran himself into the ground but still looked like he could carry on if he wanted. Flying tackles and great runs were just some of the highlights but it was just a typical performance by the Welshman.
Steven Fletcher- 6/10
Fletcher was the best player on the pitch for Wrexham in the first half some might say. He had looked like he might make something happen. The second half was different as he was subbed off after a lacklustre showing in the end. An average score in these player ratings in the end.
Substitutes
Sam Dalby- 7/10
Ryan Barnett-6/10
James Jones- 5/10
Jordan Davies- 5/10