Report

Everton 4-1 WSFC

The day started badly for Wrexham with 3 players unable to travel for various reasons leaving them with the bare 11 players. After much deliberation assistant manager Steve Lloyd, in charge for the day due to Daz Barker's work commitments decided on a defensive 5-4-1 formation hoping to frustrate their opponents and not allow them any space to exploit like they had previously against the reds rusulting in a 12-0 win for Everton.
The game started off with Everton struggling to break the reds down and when they did get behind them Wrexham central defender Jamie Jones produced a couple of excellent last ditch blocks. To their credit Wrexham looked dangerous on the break and were unlucky on a couple of occasions not to take the lead. After 25 minutes one such attack Luke Walker and Craig Doughty exchanged passes on halfway releasing Walker down the left, he then passed to Steff Walker who returned the ball to Luke who lashed it into the bottom corner from 20 yards. A lead which was deserved as they had frustrated their hosts and attacked with pace and purpose.
This led to Everton upping their game but again they were held by solid defensive work and tireless and dogged midfield hussling and tackling not allowing the hosts to play their passing game. Everton had a couple of chances with one cleared off the line by skipper Andy Jones and header which hit the outside of the post but the reds also had a couple of chances on the break with bubble and Craig Lovell going close.
5 minutes before half-time Everton equalised when Wrexham only half cleared the ball was switched out wide and when the cross came in Luke Creedon headed into the top corner. Everton nearly scored again right on half time when a header from Everton motm Ste Hobin was brilliantly saved by kepper Steve Lloyd, who managed to throw himself full length to his left to stop the ball from entering the top corner.

Half time 1-1

2nd half started with Everton striving for the breakthrough and Wrexham defending for their lives. The reds were getting pinned further back and were unable to break to the same effect and shots were raining in from every angle without really troubling the keeper. One of Wrexham's only breaks in the 1st 20 minutes of the 2nd half nearly resulted in a goal as Craig Doughty's powerful shot went straight into the keepers hands. 2 yards either side and the reds would have been ahead again. On 65 minutes Wrexham cleared an Everton corner only for it to come straight back. Creedon received the ball in the box turnrd his man and squeezed the ball through Lloyd who can count himself unlucky not to have kept it out.
Wrexham didn't let their heads drop and on 70 minutes Bubble was put through one on one by Dave Parry. Unfortunately for the Reds he shot straight at the keeper and the rebound was hacked away. Craig Doughty was then put through only to be just beaten to the ball by the Everton keeper who caught Doughty which resulted in him having to leave the field. With only 10 men it was going to be more difficult to hold the excellent home side and their resistance ended 10 minutes from time when Ynyr Jones cut in from the left to lash an unstoppable shot into the net.
Unfazed Wrexham hit back and when Curly found himself one on one his shot was half saved by the keeper and then hacked off the line as it looked to be rolling into an empty net. Everton rubbed salt into Wrexham's wound with a 4th right on time through Ged McCalley when he cut in from the left and smashed the ball into the top corner from 8 yards out.
At the final whistle the reds left the field with their heads held high and Everton, the best footballing side in the league, knew they had been in a game. That is it for this season for Wrexham who can now enjoy a few weeks rest before starting to build for next season. If they can continue to progress as they have since the new year good things may well be ahead for them.

Match ratings

Steve Lloyd 8
Andy Jones (C) 8
Jamie Jones 8
Ben Roberts 8
Luke Walker 8
Dave Parry 8 (MoM)
Craig Lovell 8
Craig Doughty 8
Steffan Walker 8
Bubble 8
Curly 8