FC: Torquay United v Wrexham 3pm 4 October 2014

No doubt some of you would have noticed that we have identical stats as Halifax who are 2nd.........these new glasses of mine are working ....ha ha......just hyperthetical what would happen at end of season if that happened.....si

Thanks for that hector......si

In the end it was a game of two halves with a superb strike from Young worthy of winning any match but some sloppy play saw us down at half time when perhaps we could have been up or at least on parity with it looking like one of those days from last season.

We almost started with a bang. A swift counter-attack saw Ajala make a great surging run on the right but wasn't able to put the chance away from a narrowish angle. After that, there wasn't too much difference in the sides with Wrexham's best opportunities coming directly from corner kicks - a good header from Manny Smith hit the post and someone else ?hit a volley just over when perhaps should have done better!

However, the half took a turn for the worse when an act of stupidity came from Rice. With Moult standing in front of him and not backing down, he decided to kick the ball any way as opposed to moving round him and after hitting him, Moult was able to gather the loose ball and slot home the softest goal he will ever score! I have seen Benyon get a yellow in a similar instance but really poor from Rice and suspect that will be the last time he ever tries that!

Despite this, we should have equalised in the closing moments of the half. Winning possession just in their half Briscoe was able to draw the remaining defence towards him and squared the ball for Bowman who really should have buried the ball from well inside the area with only the keeper to beat but his shot was too weak and near the keeper enabling him to make a good save!

The second half started with shenanigans as Bowman tried to block their keeper from taking his goal kick, making a point no doubt but following their keeper round which Moult certainly didn't do! However, since the goal Wrexham were looking to protect their lead, slowing things down but in the process lost the initiative with a sharp momentum shift taking place as we started to crank up the pressure with Ajala just hitting a shot wide after the ball being well worked to him in the area.

Something Hargreaves did do was swap Briscoe on the wing with Ajala in the forward supporting role with both looking more comfortable in their new positions with Briscoe in particular full or tricks but with the brawn to hold his own. Anyway the goal when it came was made by these two. The ball was crossed from the right by either or a combination of Young and/or Tonge to Ajala about 15 yards out, but not facing the goal but a nice lay off to Briscoe just outside the area saw him shoot hard and low into the bottom left corner of the net.

Wrexham did then try to pick things up but the Torquay players now had the greater belief with the game opening up and more space being found at the back. Bowman was put through and pushed over just a fraction outside the area. From this free kick Chappell very nearly scored with the ball ricocheting back off the near post with their keeper well beaten. In the process, he smacked his knee against the post requiring prolonged treatment and ending any goal kicking as well as restricting his mobility. Not that it mattered when Young scored his stunning goal, which will be the best this season. A chest down and then a volley that smashed into the far post and thankfully this time bounced in.

For the last ten minutes, we held on pretty comfortably with Bowman having a couple of penalty shouts but after the shenanigans earlier over their goal and then blocking their keeper were unlikely to be given when on another day there would have been an outside chance! Still, a morale boosting win as least as important as that one st Lincoln!!!

What better way to celebrate the goal of the season with a pint of Devon Dumpling - new barrel as well.

Proper job as they say.!

Ricey should never really have attempted to kick that close to Moult. However, when people are saying Moult wasnt moving, thats clearly wrong as can be seen in the highlights.


Wrexham highlights here link