Jack Marriott scored a five-minute for Wrexham’s reserves in a 7-1 thrashing of Salford City in the Central League – and Phil Parkinson was left blown away.
On Tuesday afternoon, Wrexham fielded a strong team as the reverses took on Salford City in the Central League.
A number of experienced players were in action, including Mark Howard, Aaron Hayden, Ben Tozer, Jordan Tunnicliffe, James McClean, Callum McFadzean and Sam Dalby, with Thomas O’Connor also making his first start in over two months.
Jack Marriott started too having been left out of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Tranmere Rovers.
The experienced EFL striker was signed from Fleetwood Town during the January transfer window, but in truth, hasn’t got going yet.
Marriott has failed to score in any of his 10 League Two outings but did smash in a five-minute hat-trick for the reserves yesterday afternoon to give Phil Parkinson something to think about.
The Wrexham boss has now offered his reaction to that incredible feat.
Phil Parkinson left blown away by Jack Marriott
Although it was against weaker opposition, for Wrexham to name a reserve side with that kind of strength and experience is pretty impressive, and several players will hope to have done enough to put themselves in content against Grimsby Town this weekend.
Marriott will head that list, especially having seen the Reds draw two blanks in front of goal.
Parkinson was in attendance for the game and was left blown away by the Englishman’s hat-trick, claiming he’s never seen anything of the like before.
“Jack got a hat-trick inside five minutes,” Parkinson told the Leader. “I don’t think I have ever seen anything quite like it.
“There has been quicker hat-tricks in games time-wise but right from the start, to score a quick-fire hat-trick was brilliant for him.”
Marriott should be in contention to start against Grimsby
Wrexham have registered 41 attempts on goal in their last two outings without scoring.
The Reds can put their struggles down to not supplying quality service to their forwards and their attacking players not taking their chances.
Of course, Paul Mullin is nailed on to start, but no other player has cemented their place alongside the Wrexham talisman.
Steven Fletcher did start against Tranmere while Ollie Palmer was given the nod in the two matches prior.
Neither have torn up any trees in recent weeks, and that could put Marriott in contention to lead the line against Grimsby.
Despite failing to impressive in his first six weeks at the club, he still possesses a goalscoring pedigree and his hat-trick, although in a reserve team game, will have given him the confidence to shine for the first team.
Hopefully, he can use that hat trick as a springboard to fire the Reds to promotion.