Late show wins points for reserves at Wrexham

Last updated : 15 November 2011 By Tony Scholes
One of the Wrexham players during the first half

Wes hadn't had the best of games in front of goal but he struck when it was needed and the points have taken our second string to the top of the Central League, above Preston North End on goal difference.

We reached the Colliers Park training ground around 15 minutes before kick off to learn that the game was a behind closed doors affair, despite it being a league fixture, but the Burnley contingent there were eventually permitted to stand in a roped off area some few yards away from the touchline.

The area looks impressive with three grass pitches plus one floodlit 3G pitch. It was set up by then manager Brian Flynn who used the money from a player sale to set it up.

There was no sign of Flynn today but there was certainly one ex-Claret evident on the pitch in Glen Little who lined up in the centre of midfield for Wrexham and offered his experience to the side.

Burnley started the brighter of the two sides and it was no surprise when we took the lead. It came via a Dominic Knowles penalty in the 13th minute after Shay McCartan had been brought down. For the referee, who at one point told his assistant that he'd got something wrong (yes, they do make mistakes),  it was an easy decision and Dominic sent the home keeper the wrong way.

At that point the smart money would have been on a Burnley win, but it all changed very quickly. Two minutes after the goal Tom Anderson gave away a free kick just outside the box on the Wrexham right. Little took it and it  was perfect for Jamie Morton to head in the equaliser.

We lost our way and were somewhat fortunate not to fall behind. They missed a couple of opportunities and when they did find the target a shot was blocked by goalkeeper Jon Stewart.

By half time we we'd got ourselves back into the game but it was all square at the interval.

Shay McCartan had our best chance in the second half. He did really well to create the space for himself but saw his effort saves. At the other end, Wrexham were looking more and more dangerous and in the 63rd minute they went in front with as good a move as we saw, Obo Anoruo finishing it off with a shot into the bottom corner.

Wrexham really should have gone on and won it comfortably. They had chances and fluffed them with Anoruo having the best chance of the lot but firing wide.

Burnley made changes, but it looked certain to end in defeat when the game was suddenly turned upside down. A great ball from the first substitute Joe Jackson released Fletcher clear of the defence. The goalkeeper came out but he wasn't going to miss and slotted the ball past him.

We were celebrating what we thought was a fortunate point when one became three. Cameron Howieson, also on as a substitute, brilliantly played in Fletcher who again made no mistake as he drilled the ball home.

There was just time for a scuffle in the midfield. This Little bloke for Wrexham wasn't too happy when Steven Hewitt caught him and certainly didn't like it in stoppage time when Alex-Ray Harvey did likewise. This time there was a reaction that caught the Burnley skipper.

It all ended in a friendly way with the two chatting, probably about when one of them paid to go on the Turf to watch the other play.

A win then in the end. Both midfielders, Hewitt and Harvey, played well and Luke Conlan impressed at left back. Overall though it was not our best performance of the season and Wrexham really will count themselves unlucky.

The teams were;

Wrexham: Danny Ward, Steve Tomassen, Johnny Hunt (Kyle Parle 83), Anthony Stephens, Leon Clowes, Glen Little, Jay Colbeck, Jamie Morton, Obi Anoruo, Lee Fowler (Matty Owen 63), Louis Moss. Subs not used: Max Fargin, Louis Gray, Rob Salathial.

Burnley: Jon Stewart, Aryn Williams, Alex Coleman, Tom Anderson, Luke Conlan, Shay McCartan (Cameron Howieson 80), Steven Hewitt, Alex-Ray Harvey, Adam Evans (Archie Love 72), Dominic Knowles (Joe Jackson 68), Wes Fletcher. Subs not used: Josh Cook, Alex Mullin.