Morrell Hails ‘Tremendous’ Wrexham

Andy Morrell hailed a big win for his ‘tremendous’ Wrexham side in the aftermath of their dramatic 2-1 victory over Mansfield at the Racecourse last night.

A Danny Wright goal 12 minutes from time sealed a remarkable comeback from The Dragons after they had fallen behind early in the second half to a close range Matt Green effort.

Morrell, though, was enthused by the resilience and character that his side displayed during a tempestuous second half.

“It was good. I’m really pleased for the lads, we got a slice of luck for once,” said Morrell.

“Another one went over the line that wasn’t given, but I’m made up for the lads in there because they are working so hard for each other and for themselves. They deserve the slice of luck.”

“I thought in the second half we were tremendous, we kept the pressure on and we probably could have won it by more.”

Wrexham’s victory signals the end of Mansfield’s record equalling run of 12 straight victories, all the more remarkable given how purposeful and rampant the title favourites looked at the beginning of the second half.

“It was tight and cagey, but both teams were going for it, which is great to see. They went ahead, we got a slice of luck maybe with the decision for their disallowed goal, but I think it was a free kick on Maxi. But the same thing, take two, and we went behind.”

“But it shows a bit of resilience and character in the lads, to raise themselves. The crowd got right behind them, the substitutions made the difference as well. I’ve said all along that it’s gonna be a team and squad that will get us to where we want to be and it worked that way.”

Morrell was right. His substitutions were inspired as they provided Wrexham with a level footing in the game before upheaving it from Mansfield’s grasp. Declan Walker covered admirably for the injured Chris Westwood, whilst the nous and experience of Glen Little and Dele Adebola were invaluable as legs and minds grew weary.

“I’ve said that it’s a squad that’s going to get us to where we want to be. Glen’s not played a huge amount of football but I know he can change a game for us. He might not be the quickest but he knows where to be on a pitch, he knows how to dribble a ball and keep a ball. After this little cameo he comes into your reckoning to start on Saturday. He’s fresh and he wants to play. It was a great little ball and a great finish by Danny as well.”

With a trip to Woking tomorrow, less than 48 hours after last night’s win, there is no time for the Dragons to rest on their laurels.

Morrell admitted, “I’m made up for the lads, but I think there’s a game in an hour or so’s time that we’ve got to go and play so onto the next one.”

The platform for victory was provided in Morrell’s shuffling of his resources, but also courtesy of a howler from Stags’ goalkeeper Alan Marriot, who spooned a pedestrian Dean Keates free kick into his own net after it bounced in front of him.

“You’ve seen the pitch. Anything can happen,” added Morrell.

“We just try and stress that you hit the target and maybe that’s a little slice of luck we maybe haven’t been getting in the past few weeks.”

The luck that Morrell alludes to, has proved allusive in the past week for his side after a number of disallowed goals at Hyde, and a header from the player-manager himself against Macclesfield on Monday which bounced on the line off the underside of the cross bar.

The effect of Keates’ goal was cathartic in Morrell’s eyes.

“You’ve seen the lads, their chests went out and they were off again. When we’re like that we’re difficult to peg back.”

The result brings solace also to Wrexham’s rivals in the race for automatic promotion, and Morrell can see more twists in the tale with just five games remaining.

“It’s tight. They’re in the box seat by a mile, but still, you never know. We’ve just got to look after ourselves because that’s a big win for us. People would probably say that we were maybe having a bit of a wobble ourselves with no wins and not many goals since Wembley.

“I just think it’s a load of rubbish. If the lads work hard and work for each other they’ll get their rewards, and we have. They’ve had a fantastic run, 12 wins in any league is an unbelievable run. But I’m pleased that we’ve stopped it because we’ve needed it.”

The player-manager, however, rejected assertions that his team have experienced a blip following a lean run in front of goal that saw them fail to score in their previous four league outings.

“There is no blip. We’ve lost two in 20 games or something, it that’s a blip then I don’t know what isn’t. We’ll keep going, it’s a great win and I hope it really boosts the lads and kicks us on for the next five games.”

Wrexham’s next league game sees them travel to Woking, who have won 12 home games this season, and Morrell admits it will be a tough game hardened by the mounting fixture congestion.

“It’s a huge challenge, they’re great at home. We beat them first day of the season, but that was a tight game that could have gone either way. They’ve got threats, we’ve got to go there same again. Chests out, front foot and off we go.”

“I’ve got bodies hanging off all places in the dressing room. It’s tough. But all the teams have got it. Every other team are playing the same, I think it’s only Kidderminster with three to go. I’d rather be playing games, and if you can rotate the squad like we are doing then it keeps everybody happy.”