Wrexham Lose Penalty Shoot Out In Trophy Final
Wrexham threw away a two goal lead at Wembley this afternoon in the FA Trophy Final, our reporter there James Dutton gives his view on the game…
Just how on earth can Kevin Wilkin explain this one away? Two goals to the good in a major final and with 20 minutes to play Wrexham capitulated to a semi-professional side in the league below. In a disastrous season this is the lowest point yet; with the tint of silverware in sight the Dragons blew it. How Wilkin can turn this around now looks difficult to see from this point after Wrexham slumped to a 5-4 penalty defeat following a 3-3 draw with North Ferriby United after extra time in the FA Trophy final.
It had all started so well. Wrexham had dictated terms during the opening period, settling into the rhythm of the game far more comfortably than their lowly opponents. The Dragons scored early and looked at one stage to be heading for a two-or-three goal half-time lead, but dropped off as the first 45 wore on.
The occasion got to the Conference North side in the early stages as they struggled to build possession and a platform into the game. Misplaced passes, mistimed challenges and a number of sliced clearances into touch betrayed a sense of nerves on the biggest day in the club’s history, and understandably so.
The Dragons settled into proceedings much the quicker and built good opportunities down the left-hand side with Neil Ashton and Connor Jennings linking up well in particular. Louis Moult provided a constant worry for the opposition defence with his verve and energy, forcing goalkeeper Adam Nicklin into a couple of shaky moments.
Inside the opening 10 minutes the goalkeeper smacked a bouncing ball straight into Sam Topliss. almost leading to an unfortunately comical own goal. Wrexham didn’t have to wait long for their next chance when Neil Ashton sent a precise cross over to the edge of the penalty box where a lurking Kieron Morris failed to connect and sliced his volley wide.
The opening goal arrived from similar good work down that left-hand channel, though, as Joe Clarke overlapped to the byline and delivered a low cross into the six yard box where Moult made no mistake. It was a goal that the Conference Premier side’s superiority deserved.
Kevin Wilkin’s side pushed for a second goal but struggled to iron out further cast-iron opportunities as The Villagers eventually played themselves into the game. Number seven Danny Clarke was a constant source of inspiration as he rode challenges down the right-hand side and sprung the offside trap in the 32nd minute, only to be denied by a fine stop from Andy Coughlin.
After struggling at the start of the first half North Ferriby began the second 45 in a more determined manner. Jason St Juste showed Steve Tomassen a clean pair of heels in the 48th minute but after driving into the penalty area unchallenged his effort was too close to Coughlin.
Despite the bright opening the Villagers were unable to fashion out any more chances, and Wrexham grew into the second half. Connor Jennings came close to doubling their lead after Ashton found him in acres of space on the edge of the Ferriby penalty area.
With Nicklin rushing off his goal line, the attacking midfielder’s mind was made up. He showed twinkling toes to take the ball round the goalkeeper before seeing his left footed shot clawed off the line by the back peddling Danny Hone.
The Dragons needn’t have waited too much longer for the second goal though, with Jennings once again heavily involved. First goalscorer Moult laid the ball off to him in midfield and with space opening up behing the opposition right back he played a delicately precise through-ball for the onrushing Jay Harris who buried the ball low and hard into the back of the net, before wheeling off in ecstasy in front of his own fans.
It was the cue for Wrexham to look to extend their lead, but North Ferriby proved determined opposition, if lacking in quality. Manager Billy Heath threw the gauntlet down by introducing striker Nathan Jarman but the Dragons still looked comfortable in their lead. Coughlin, who had looked comfortable all game, conspired to flap at a corner kick allowing Danny Hone a free header at goal from six yards out which he put over the bar.
With 72 minutes on the clock and Wrexham controlling the pace and tempo of the game, Wilkin took the dubious decision to withdraw captain Dean Keates. It backfired spectacularly. Within two minutes Wrexham’s two goal lead was halved as Danny Clarke was allowed to ghost between the two centre-backs and draw a foul from Andy Coughlin as he rushed off his line to meet him near the penalty spot. Captain Liam King buried the resultant spot kick high into the top corner.
Sensing the turning tide the Villagers finished the game the stronger side as Wrexham retreated. The equaliser arrived in the 86th minute with more good work from the effervescent St Juste whose low cross across the six yard box was turned beyond Coughlin by substitute Ryan Kendall.
The Villagers looked good money for a late winner, with Clarke forcing an excellent sprawling save from Coughlin late into the 90 minutes, but with the scores level extra time beckoned. The Conference North side made their comeback complete by taking the lead in the 100th minute, with Kendall flicking a header into the back of the net after St Juste’s deflected cross looped invitingly towards goal.
Wrexham struggled to assert themselves but the imperious Moult could not be denied as he levelled matters with minutes to go. Ferriby deserved more for their spirited fight back and were justly rewarded in the penalty shootout that followed with Adam Nicklin decisively saving Steve Tomassen’s spot kick.
For Wilkin the concern is how did his players lose such momentum and control, and look to dramatically tire against a semi-professional side a league below them? They became passive and abandoned the initiative they had taken by sailing into a two-goal lead. The sight of Dean Keates being replaced at 2-0 with 20 minutes to go could come to define Wilkin’s sorry time in charge of the club.
‘Manager Wilkin Meets The Press’
Kevin Wilkin has said that he “expects” to remain in charge of Wrexham, despite a second half collapse that saw them lose the FA Trophy final 5-4 on penalties to North Ferriby United after a 3-3 draw after extra time.
The Dragons boss believes that his young squad will learn from the manner of the defeat, but admitted that he was “numb and disappointed” after the club missed out on a chance to add some much needed silverware to another season of underachievement in the Football Conference.
He told reporters after the game: “Everyone’s pretty numb with it as you’ll understand. We got ourselves into a great position and to not see it through and give the impetus to North Ferriby when we did is disappointing. It’s important that the young players learn from this experience making sure they understand it. We’ve got a lot of league games still to play starting again Tuesday. We have to dust ourselves down, we can’t feel sorry for ourselves.
Wilkin defended his decision to withdraw Dean Keates for Robbie Evans in the 72nd minute, believing that his players had already become sloppy with the ball: “Dean wanted to stay on, it was a case of managing the game and getting to 70 minutes. I personally don’t think we were in control of the game at that point. I know people will focus on that and that’s where I’ll come into question but I don’t think we had control at that point. They were throwing everything at us, moving the ball better than we were.
“Robbie’s (Evans) a lad that I’ve got a lot of time for. He may have struggled with the pace of the game when he came on, it was difficult for him to get a foothold in the game. But that’s not blaming him alone, there were other players out there who’ve got to take responsibility, and ultimately I take responsibility for the overall performance.
“We have to trust in what Robbie is. I think he’ll be the future of Wrexham Football Club, but it hasn’t quite happened for him today. The big thing I hope is that Robbie learns from it and he’ll come again. I’m not blaming him for us losing today, there were 10 others on that field that can do a whole lot better.
When asked whether he expects to keep his job beyond the end of the season, Wilkin was in determined mood: “I would expect to be at the football club next season. Wrexham is a big club at this level, people call in to question what I’ve done at the club but a lot of change needed to happen.
“There are people that think Wrexham have a divine right to be out of this league and in the Football League. As many top clubs have shown previously it’s not an easy club to get out of, things take time to work and develop.
Wilkin cited last summer’s difficulties as underpinning this season’s disappointments: “There are certain areas where I wasn’t able to make decisions on people, players already contracted to the club. A lot of the budget was taken up. The money I had to spend and payers I’ve brought in I’m comfortable with.
“We haven’t got a bottomless pit of money but I get on with and work with it. I think I’ve spent it fairly wisely. If people don’t think I’m the right man for the job then that’s down to them. The people above me will make that decision. I’m numb and disappointed at the moment. I try to keep perspective and don’t let my highs go too high or my lows go too low.
“I understand the expectation around the place. But the money I had to spend and work with, I’m not sure overall it’s such a poor season. If people think I’ve underachieved then fair enough. I know Wrexham are in a better position than when I took over. There are better and younger players at the club now and they need to learn from today.
“People can be impatient and I understand that. It’s football, the nature of the beast but I won’t stop working hard and looking to find good players and move forwards. I find it disappointing with what was done in the cups, instantly you’re asked questions like that (do you expect to keep your job).”
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