There are four players in Wrexham's squad who know they are not part of Brian Little's plans: Sam AIston has used the pre-season friendlies to make his case for being removed from the list. To be fair, the other three have also had their moments, particularly Michael Proctor, but Aiston's raiding down the left will surely have given Little pause for thought.
Once again, Wrexham kept a clean sheet against Championship opposition and were marginally the better side despite wholesale half time changes. They had to dig in early on though, as Blackpool took an early grip on possession despite Wes Baynes missing a good early chance, heading wide from close range after good work by Simon Spender and Marc Williams. Anthony Williams just about managed to paw a swerving long range shot by Stuart green over the bar, then the same player hit a decent chance narrowly wide before he crossed for Ben Burgess, whose downwards header into the goalmouth was met by a Kabba overhead kick which scraped the post.
As the pressure grew Wrexham defence looked solid, although Nat Brown looked rather more accident-prone than he did last week. First impressions of Darran kempson were positive though; a robust centre back he dealt with Burgess' height better than his defensive partner did, although we shouldn't expect too much subtlety from him-most of his interventions involved him getting the ball to a safe place in the crowd! there's nothing wrong with that though, especially when you compare it to
some of Brown's dangerous attempts to pass his way out of trouble.
As the half wore on, Wrexham began to take control. Tom Kearney was impressive once more, with Levi Mackin doing the legwork for him, while Aiston and baynes began to threaten on the flanks. Quality delivery from Kearney nearly set up Wrexham's first pre-season goal from open play as he swept a cross in which Marc Williams couldn't wuite meet six yards out and Aiston, possibly unsighted by his team mate, scooped over from point blank range.
Byanes tested Rachubka with a twenty yarder which was parried-worryingly the only time Blackpool's first half keeper was forced into a save-before Jefferson Louis pulled the ball back neatly was Marc Williams to pull well wide.
While Williams would go on to complete the ninety minutes and be guilty of considerable wastefulness in front of goal, no single miss of his could match what Louis contrived just a minute later! The big striker once again left spectators with mixed feelings: again he made the ball stick up front, won a good share of his aerial battles, battled admirably for the ball and on one occasionally accelerated spectacularly away from his man down the flank; however, he looks to be in the Drewe Broughton category in front of goal!
His approach play was exemplary in the build-up to his miss as he played his part in the best move of the match. A snappy one-touch one-two with Aiston released the winger down the left and he delivered an inviting cross into the goalmouth. Marc Williams looked favourite to make contact, but he seemed to be pushed by Alex-John Baptiste, an offence the officials ignored. The ball broke across the six yard box to Louis, who admirably had continued his run and found himself all on his own in front of goal, but slashed horribly at the cross, missing it completely and ending up on his backside!
Nine half-time changes by Wrexham handed the initiative back to Blackpool, not least because the most effective new player early on was David Fox, who brought life to the visitors' midfield. An error by Mike Williams Allowed Burgess to put Green clear on goal but he hoofed it horribly over before a neat move ended in Gavin Ward making a sharp save from Southern. His quick throw should have led to a goal at teh other end-he picked out Aiston who hurdled a challenge and raced almost the length of the pitch before drawing defenders to him as he cut inside then rolling the ball to Marc Williams, who had time to take a touch but still slashed the ball wide from eight yards.
The tide turned from that point as Wrexham bedded in and regained control. Andy Fleming had an excellent second period, snapped away in challenges-indeed he clearly got under Blackpool skipper Southern's skin and would have picked up a card for a jump tackle on him-and spread the ball around well. While AIston continued to be at his industrious best, two other released players were looking to make their point. Michael Proctor looked lively while Silvio Spann was typically infuriating! At times he looked to have class to spare, but on others was amateurish on just plain neglectful, failing to fulfil his duties when the side didn't have the ball. Often in the space of ten seconds he would show you what Brian Carey saw in him, then remind you of why Brian Little let him go.
Intelligent link play down the right between Fleming and Spann released the trinidadian, who looked up and spotted Proctor's clever run to the near post, the striker flicking the ball narrowly wide. Then Spann cut in from the flank to lash in a shot which ilks tipped over before he fed Marc Williams, whose shot was delfected just wide with the keeper beaten.
Fox enjoyed a late renaissance at the other end, sending Kabba clear and forcing Ward into decisive action twice. The first time the keeper was quick off his line, forcing a hurried, underhit shot which Pejic could clear from under his bar, then he saved well at the striker's feet after Mike WIlliams appeared to impede him in the box.
A Blackpool goal would have been harsh on Wrexham though; once again Brian Little's side shaped up well, although it was unfortunate for him in a week when he bought another centre back that the main problem remains a lack of cutting edge up front .
"It had been a flattering win, but Saunders' work in progress continues to get results even while he tinkers with it. If he gets the side exactly as he wants it, the Conference will have to watch out..."
