-Match Preview:
Coming into this game, this is the first time two sides have met in a competitive game in North Wales, with the reverse fixture resulting in a 2-1 victory for the Southern Wales outfit.
The host have been on good form of late heading into this tie, with three wins from their last five matches, but did lose their last game at the hands of fellow play off hopefuls in Hull in 2-1 loss.
Swansea meanwhile have also won three out of the last five, and more noticeably won two games consistently, and will want that form to continue in the hope that they can finish within the top six.
First half:
It was a slow start to this all Welsh meeting, with Swansea looking likely of the two sides to create something after having more than 55% possession in the opening 20 minutes.
This increase of confidence and creativity nearly paid off, as by the 20th minute, the league’s top goalscorer in Swansea’s Zan Vipotnik failed to take a great chance to put the visitors ahead, as a great save by Arthur OKonkwo denied the former Premier League side.
However just 4 minutes later, and the script was totally flipped on its head, as Callum Doyle was able to send Welshman Nathan Broadhead through with a brilliant defence splitting pass, and the midfielder was more than capable to slot his chance past goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux calmy into the far-right corner to give the North Wales side further hope of a play-off finish.
The intensity continued shortly after the lead was taken on Swansea, as there was a lot of adrenaline being pumped by the hosts both in the stand and visibly on the pitch, with a lot of loose passes by the visitors resulting in a lot of panic, but fizzled out in the end.
Swansea looked to recover the scoreline as soon as possible however, as the hosts conceded a corner just before the half hour mark. Unfortunately for the away side, Captain Ben Cabango’s headed effort went remarkably high over the Wrexham bar.
On the 33rd minute, there was a charging run from Swansea left winger in Galbrathe which forced another corner from Wrexham, but again were unable to take full advantage of this opportunity.
Just a few minutes later, and there was a brilliant long pass by Callum Doyle set for the rapid Issa Kabore , who was openly free to win a corner for the hosts to try and extend their lead by the 37th minute, but came to nothing in the end.
Just a couple of minutes later, and Kabore again was really forcing an issue for the Swansea backline, but striker Sam Smith was unable to get any purchase on a fabulous cross for the hosts.
Two minutes before the break, and Swansea main man in Zan Vipotnik had half a chance on goal but heads wide, but it would’ve taken some effort from the Slovenian to level the scoreline before the interval.
Last chance of the half saw Callum Doyle being unable to direct his header towards goal, and should have put the red dragons up 2-0 prior to the break.
Second Half
Swansea looked to make amends from the earlier conceded goal by a few more vicious passes into Wrexham’s defensive line, but were unable to create anything meaningful as the second half began.
There were a few good passes 10 minutes into the second half for the hosts, but again that final ball just wasn’t there for Wrexham, who had been exceptionally good off the ball tonight in particular at this stage of tonight’s meeting.
Just before the hour mark, and Swansea made a triple substitution to bolster their attacking options, which included Liam Cullen, who has so far this season scored four times when coming on as a replacement; the second highest in the division.
The next 10 minutes or so was a very scrappy affair, with many loose passes and possession being lost by both sides, and it not being the most visually appealing game.
A moment from absolutely nowhere for Swansea came in the 65th minute, as the host had their first chance of the second period, with midfielder Marko Stameinc had a wonderful strike turned behind by the Wrexham keeper to give a corner for the visiting side to reignite hope in the travelling side.
The only goalscorer in the match at this point in Nathan Broadhead just after this attempt was called off after a brilliant performance, with the equally creative Josh Windass now taking the Welshman’s place.
Wrexham may have been more than happy with the game having barely any intensity however, with the Welsh side dropping twenty-two points in total this season from winning positions, and would be looking to avoid this here tonight.
There was nearly a call of drama for the visitors, with captain Ben Cabango pulling back Sam Smith in the centre circle with a high ball being played, but the referee indicated only a warning for the Welshman.
Kabore continued to bring problems to Swansea’s backline, with the pacey winger gaining a corner for the hosts, in which Wrexham very much wasted, as Rathbone blazed extremely high and wide of the target with just ten minutes remaining in the tie.
Wrexham were truly fortunate not to be drawn level, as the ball Ping ponged around their box but the visitors were unable to fully capitalise of this, a theme of this evening for both sides.
With just two minutes to go until additional time would be introduced, it looked like game over, with possible candidate for man of the match in Callum Doyle's effort deflected in via an own goal from Josh Cullen, and ensuring all three points going to the hosts.
It may have not been the most energetic encounter between in this season’s Welsh derby in the Championship, but the hosts will not care, as they now have a 6-point gap between themselves and fellow play off hopefuls in Southampton, who themselves have a tall order in tomorrow’s early afternoon clash in making the trip to Coventry.
