It was a month of low for Wrexham in December, just as the Racecourse side looked to have turned the corner with an outstanding November, it was a nightmare month for Andy Morrell's side as they go into 2014 with an element of uncertainty.
It began with a big match in the FA Cup against Football League opposition on live national television. It was probably the biggest occasion at the Racecourse since the 2012 FA Cup 3rd round replay against Brighton two years beforehand. Wrexham were drawn to League 2 leader Oxford United, who had ex Premier League and Championship players such as Dave Kitson and Ryan Williams. It was a cold Monday night and the Racecourse was rocking before kick off, a good number of Oxford fans traveled up contributing to the 2,906 attendance. As the ground was filling up and the atmosphere grew and grew, there was the feeling that it was going to be a
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| Clarke's stunning strike fires the reds ahead |
special night under the floodlights, and it looked like it was going to be when on 29 minutes Joe Clarke volleyed home a Dean Keates cross to put the Conference side in front. As the ground shook from countless Wrexham fanatics going wild in the stands the excitement was really making it a night to remember. At half time Wrexham lead 1-0 but the second half Oxford showed why they were top of the division, as after 54 minutes former Shrewsbury Town forward James Constable struck a fine finish past 'keeper Andy Coughlin. Then two minutes later Australian winger Ryan Williams scored from close range and that goal from the former Portsmouth youngster was the decider as Wrexham bowed out of the competition
The Dragons hoped to take the good points from the game into the following Saturday, where they were away to Luton Town in the FA Trophy. But it proved to be a disaster as Wrexham had one of their worst performances of the season and were eliminated from the competition, losing 2-0.
A couple of days after crashing out of two domestic competitions Wrexham lost a player on December 17th, Junior Theophile N'Tame left the club via mutual consent after a lack of playing time, fans reactions were mixed as some thought he should have been starting matches, he made just two appearances scoring on his debut against Hyde in a 2-2 draw in August.
After a disastrous display at Luton, Wrexham headed back down south to Welling United, where they returned to league action for the first time in a month. Wrexham defeated the 'Wings' 2-1 on the first game of the season and hoped to do the double against them, but it wasn't to be as Kurtis Guthrie put Welling ahead on 29 minutes, but a point was saved 9 minutes later as Johnny Hunt fired a shot into the top corner of the net salvaging something for the Dragons.
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| Creighton in his prime during the 2011/2012 season |
On December 23rd some expected but terrible news was released as Mark "Beast" Creighton announced his retirement from professional football, this was due to persistent injury, he initially was out for most of the 2012/2013 season with a knee injury against Ebbsfleet United, he returned in April 2013 against Mansfield before undergoing pre-season. He played the opening games to the 2013/2014 season but went off injured in Wrexham's cross border derby with Chester FC. He returned in October to face Gresley in the FA Trophy before another injury sidelined the big defender, this lead to a decision being made after plenty of thought and consideration, his retirement was made official on December 23rd.
A boxing day clash at the Racecourse followed as Alfreton Town were in Wrexham for the second time this season, having previously been knocked out of the FA Cup here in November. It proved to be a harsh match for Wrexham who did well and in reality should have got something from it. It was a five goal thriller but there wasn't a goal until Mark Carrington broke the deadline on 64 minutes, scoring his first Wrexham goal. But Wrexham held the lead for less than 10 minutes as Michael Wylde equalised for Alfreton before John Akinde put them ahead on 85 minutes. Leon Clowes then got his first Wrexham goal two minutes later evening the scores. But it was written in the stars that a certain individual would score, and with the last touch of the game as Chris Westwood scored in the box after leeching on to a corner, Westwood the former Wrexham defender did not celebrate showing respect for his former employers.
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| Ogleby with the match ball, after his Hyde hatrick |
Wrexham's last game of the season was at Hyde FC's Ewen Fields, Hyde at the time had failed to win a league match that season and had drawn to Wrexham earlier in the season. And it looked like the run was over as after Rob Ogleby gave Wrexham the lead, Hyde's Connor Hughes and Scott Spencer scored twice in 5 minutes to give them the lead. But Ogleby scored again 6 minutes later taking the game to 2-2 at half time. In the second half a
further goal from Ogleby gave the Wales Under-21 a hatrick whilst Dave Artell and Joe Clarke made it 5-2 to Wrexham ending the year on a good note.
After a bad second half to 2013 it will be incredibly interesting to find out how Wrexham do in 2014, where they will finish in the league and of course how the 150th anniversary is celebrated
Wrexham is the Name!
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