Reserves Beat Wrexham

By: Paul Holmes
Date: 16/05/2001

Town striker Bradley Allen returned to competitive action at Blundell Park as Grimsby Town reserves today beat Wrexham reserves 4-3, despite been 2-0 down after only 10 minutes and On a wet, soggy and cold afternoon with the pitch cut up after last night's defeat against Blackburn.

Paul Wilkinson fielded a very strong team that lined up as follows

Hyldegaard
Ward Raven Bloomer Smith.D
Buckley Willlems Black
Jeffery Allen Clare

The Wrexham team included Gareth Owen and a left sided winger/striker called Emad Bouanane, who if you ignore the fact that he looked rather like Darius from 'Popstars', looked a real talent.

From the off Wrexham attacked Town and took the lead after 2 minutes. Lee Trundle found himself in some space just outside the right hand side of the 18 yard box and put in a poor cross, easy so far then - well no Hyldegaard just stood there, let the ball loop over him and into the back of the net

1-0 Wrexham

5 minutes later Trundle found himself in acres of space down the right, put another poor cross in which should have been Morton's (I've decided to call him this now as his last name is too long) but he let it go and Andy Morell nodded in from 4 yards.

2-0 Wrexham

By this time I was thinking, God its going to be a whitewash, and after 20 minutes a third was nearly added. Matthew Dabbs picked up a loose ball 45 yards out and let rip with a rocket shot that skimmed the post and went out of play. By now Town were playing some nice stuff and getting back into the game. Bradley Allen avoided a booking after going in late on the keeper, but Willems could not complain with his caution after a series of late tackles on Paul Barrett.

Before Half time Town pulled a goal back after good play down the left by Smith and Clare resulted in Kingsley Black turning twice and blasting a great finish from 15 yards.

2-1 Wrexham

After the break Burnett replace Raven with (get ready for this) Ward going to centre back. Kingsley going to left back and Smith going to right back. Also Wrexham emerged with ten men, one can only assume that one of the Wrexham lads was sent off in the tunnel.

After 10 minutes Town pulled it level. Menno Willems got down the line and put in a good low cross allowing Allen to touch it into the net. 2-2

5 minutes later Town took the lead, Burnett and Jeffrey combined before Willems unleashed a 25 yard thunder bolt that left the keeper stranded.

3-2 Town

Having lost a two goal lead Wrexham sparked into life with Trumble and Bouanane playing key roles. The eventually pulled the game back level when Trumble was played through and slotted past Morton.

3-3

Around this time Buckley was replaced by Stephen Downes and Allen was replaced by Rowan

60 seconds later Town retook the lead when Willems was took down in the area and Clare tucked the ball away from the spot.

4-3 Town

Wrexham had plenty of chances to grab a goal back and Morton made a couple of fine saves.

Ratings

Morton - 6 Two early bloopers but made some crucial late saves, still not as good as Stevie.
Ward - 7 Another confident display at right back and centre back
Smith.D-7 Performed well on both flanks and got forward well
Bloomer-7 Getting back to his best
Raven - 6 Did OK but distribution was poor
Buckley - 6 Another disappointing performance, to be fair he was playing very defensive
Willems -8 Started poor but 2nd half did excellent.
Black -7 Again scored for the reserves, surely Lennie must have noticed him.
Jeffrey - 7 Held the ball up really well
Allen - 7 Nice goal but tired fast
Clare - 7 Deep wide runs caused problems all game

Man of the Match

Menno Willems - After a very shaky start grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and produced a fine assist and an even better goal.

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