Super Paul Mullin Returns
The Dragons roar at the Racecourse, Rosie Hughes books the women's team a trip to a final, and another royal visit highlight this week's Wrexham news.
“He’s back, Baby!” - Mark Griffiths
Mullin’s big day gives him 95 total goals for the club, making him tenth on Wrexham’s all-time scoring list.
The Wrecap:
Wrexham AFC 4 - 0 Accrington Stanley
We needed a match like the one we had on Saturday. On the heels of an uneven January and February, it was vital that Wrexham not only start the new month on the right foot but that they settle for nothing less than all three points while at the Racecourse. Well, they did just that in a desperately needed dominant victory over Accrington Stanley.
Phil stuck to his normal 5-3-2 formation but he reinstated the striking duo made famous by Welcome to Wrexham: Mullin and Palmer. The two hadn’t started up front together since December 3rd and both looked like the best versions of themselves. In fact, the whole squad seemed to be in peak form with Barnett, Cleworth, McClean, and Lee also logging noteworthy performances. But the show was stolen by Super Paul Mullin who burst back into his normal goal-scoring form with his second hat trick of the season…and he did it in just over half an hour.
The Dragon’s first half was one of their best halves of the season and Mullin’s three goals tied him with Lee as Wrexham’s top scorer in the competition…for six whole minutes. Lee then netted his 15th league goal of the season to take the lead from SPM again. The Racecourse, decked out in matching red and white United Airlines/Wrexham scarves from giveaway day, was jubilant. Mullin almost tied him again with a fourth goal just before halftime, but he was denied and the Reds had to settle for a four-goal first half.
In the second half, McClean, Tozer, and Barnett all came dangerously close to adding to the goal total but couldn’t get it past the keeper in the end. The second half was goalless, but not without drama and was closed out by Lewis Shipley earning himself a straight red card at 91’ with just five to go for a challenge to Andy Cannon that was so senseless Shipley didn’t even wait to see the card before removing himself from the pitch.
I give Man of the Match to Mullin, obviously, and you can read the full report from Wrexham here.
As for the highlights - and there were a lot of them - you can watch those right here:
Match Facts:
Starting Lineup: Okonkwo, Mendy, Boyle, O’Connell, Cleworth, Barnett, Lee, Cannon, McClean, Mullin, Palmer
Bench: Fletcher(69’), Tozer(69’), Marriott(82’), Bolton(82’), Young(88’), J. Davies, Howard
Goals: Mullin (17’, 25’, 35’), Lee (41’)
Yellow Cards: Accrington - Woods (46’). Wrexham - McClean (75’).
Red Cards: Accrington: Shipley (91’)
Wrexham AFC Women 1 - 0 The New Saints
The Wrexham women have booked the club’s ticket to the first final of the season after defeating The New Saints in the third cross-border derby of the campaign. The Reds scored the only goal of the contest with seconds to spare before halftime when Carra Jones intercepted a clearance attempt in the Saints’ box, gifting a rebound to Rosie Hughes who put it away. Despite several attempts to put the game to bed in the second half, that first-half goal was all either team could muster…but it was enough to book the Dragons’ ticket to the final of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup. That match will be played on May 5th, with more details forthcoming.
You can read the full report of the match here.
Match Facts:
Starting Lineup: Morgan, Lovett, Allen, Fuller, Davies, Dickens, L.Jones, C.Jones, Gibbard, Lightfoot, Hughes
Bench: Cairns (46’), Pritchard (64’), Sharp (72’), Mackenzie(92’), Bolland.
Goals: Hughes (45’)
Yellow Cards: TNS - Teare (64). Wrexham - Davies (70’)
Current Table
Mansfield Town played their game in hand yesterday, losing to the MK Dons 2-1. This was a gift to Wrexham fans, as the Dragons now sit even with the league leaders in games played but are only three points behind them in third. We’re tied in points with Stockport, but they have a ten-goal lead on us in goal differential (and also hold a game in hand). With fourth and fifth place less than a win behind us in points, it’s clear the title race is only getting tougher and could go all the way to the final match day of the season.
The Week Ahead
Saturday 3/9 - Morecambe vs Wrexham
If there was one team to face on the road immediately after a 4-0 win at home, it would probably be ninth-place Morecambe. Last time, Wrexham delivered their biggest win of the season: a 6-0 shellacking at the Racecourse. If we can ride the momentum from the big win this weekend and recapture just a little of what we had the last time we faced the club, Saturday could be an excellent chance to grab three points on the road.
Sunday 3/10 - Swansea City Women vs Wrexham AFC Women
The battle for the Genero Adran Premier Championship is on and the Reds will start their journey against the team directly ahead of them on the table: Swansea City. With three points between them, this represents a pivotal moment for the Red Women who need to start closing their eight-point gap with leaders Cardiff City immediately if they hope to remain in the title chase.
Tuesday 3/12 - Wrexham vs Harrogate Town
Harrogate Town is also not a bad draw on short rest. They have fallen to 13th on the table, having not seen a win since 2/10. That said, they have also scored at least twice in our last two meetings: a 2-2 draw in November and a 2-1 FA Cup victory in 2021, so while their recent form hasn’t been anything to brag about, I’d still expect some fight out of the visitors when we return to the Racecourse.
Other News:
O’Connor and Forde Return to Training
Wrexham could be receiving a much-needed break on the injury front as Phil confirmed to The Leader that O’Connor and Forde have begun light training. I doubt they’ll be ready to re-enter the squad in the next week, but if they can return to full health for the remaining matches it will be a huge boost to the squad - particularly O’Connor. Tom has been one of the key parts of Wrexham’s success this season and I think getting him back will be key if we’re going to climb the final two rungs of the League Two ladder.
Prince William Visits the Racecourse
On March 1st the Prince of Wales visited the Racecourse and The Turf to celebrate St. David’s Day. He met with Rob, Phil, the board, CEO Fleur Robinson, Tozer, Young, and a group of supporters at the Turf as well as other club officials. Here’s the full story from Wrexham.
That’s all for this week. Here’s hoping this weekend is as fun for Wrexham as last weekend was!
