Wrexham got back to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, beating Exeter City with a convincing 3-0 victory at the STōK Cae Ras.
Wrexham were beaten 1-0 at Stockport County last weekend and Phil Parkinson was seeking a big response against Exeter City.
Grecians defender Pierce Sweeney played down the trip to Wrexham and Parkinson’s side started quickly to sweep Exeter away.
Max Cleworth headed home Elliot Lee’s corner before Ollie Palmer buried Ryan Barnett’s cross to make it 2-0.
Ollie Rathbone added number three after the break with all three of Wrexham’s goals coming from crosses into the box.
- READ MORE: Wrexham player ratings vs Exeter City as Elliot Lee and Ollie Rathbone produce 8/10 displays
Phil Parkinson praises surprise Man of the Match
This was the perfect response after the defeat at Stockport with home comforts certainly helping Wrexham get back on track.
Rob McElhenney has praised Parkinson but the Wrexham boss has focused the attention elsewhere.
Speaking to Wrexham’s official YouTube channel, Parkinson offered praise to Wrexham’s head groundsman, Paul Chaloner.
Parkinson suggested that Chaloner was the real Man of the Match for Wrexham, rather than anybody in the starting XI.
Parkinson noted that the STōK Cae Ras pitch had taken on a lot of rain and snow but Chaloner and his team worked ‘brilliantly’ to get the game on and get the pitch in a great condition.
“Man of the Match today was Chall the groundsman for me,” Parkinson said.
“The rain we’ve had, the snow which was on the pitch, to get it in that good condition, for Chall and his team, enormous credit because they did brilliantly and that doesn’t just happen – he’s been working tirelessly to get that right and we’ve got to have a lot of thanks Chall and his staff today,” he added.
Wrexham groundsman facing tough run
The life of a groundsman is often a rather thankless and under appreciated one, so Parkinson single out Chaloner for praise is great to see.
Chaloner and co have worked so hard in recent days but Wrexham have a busy schedule at home.
There is a quick turnaround to Tuesday night as Wrexham host Lincoln City.
Wrexham’s original meeting with Lincoln was postponed in October and has been rescheduled for Tuesday night.
Chaloner will be hoping for no more adverse weather conditions but will have a week after that Lincoln clash to prepare Wrexham’s pitch to face Barnsley.
Wrexham head to Burton Albion on December 7, but then have another home double header against Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Trophy and Cambridge United in the league.
That will be a run of four home games in five and with the weather always a factor at this time of year, Wrexham will hope to keep the pitch in a great condition thanks to Chaloner.