The Racecourse plays host today, to the most highly anticipated match in National League history. Both Notts County and Wrexham enter this game on 100 points, a feat that’s never been replicated by two teams in the same division and season, in the pyramid’s history. Either side would be hard done by to miss out on the title now, however only one can lift the trophy come the end of the season.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney may take some solace in the fact their side hold a game in hand over their promotion rivals, although tantalising nerves will still be flowing through the system as a win for County today will negate this advantage.
Clash of the titans. Battle for first place. Whatever you want to call it, it’s sure to be a memorable fixture.
KICK OFF We are underway in this crucial National League Clash.
12′ Shouts from the Wrexham faithful for a penalty and they certainly have a case.
A looping ball is sent towards Paul Mullin in the area, but he’s knocked to the floor by Kyle Cameron. The County captain doesn’t have his eyes on the ball, instead firmly locked on Mullin. There’s absolutely no attempt to play the ball, however Mullin’s tumble to the ground looks slightly over the top. I think the theatrics have made up the referee’s mind.
24′ County’s three-man back line are sitting quite high and Wrexham are taking advantage of the space. A few times already Mullin or Ollie Palmer have received the ball in and behind and it’s all looked fairly easy. Although nothing has come of it yet, Luke Williams may need to change something, or his side could be punished.
29′ Another long ball over the top sends Mullin through on goal. Sam Slocombe is straight out of his area to close down the chance, but it’s yet another dangerous long pass that’s left County’s defence chasing the ball.
Embed from Getty Images32′ Cameron has the first real effort of the game from just outside the box. It has Ben Foster scrambling; however, a deflection sees it wide. Still no real clear chance for either side at this stage.
40′ YELLOW Connel Rawlinson is booked after bringing down Palmer.
43′ YELLOW Now it’s Mullin who sees yellow for a poorly timed challenge.
45+4′ GOAL (WRX 0-1-NCO) County strike first.
A sensational free kick from John Bostock. It’s his first goal for County and what a time to get it. He beautifully curls it away from Foster and into the top right-hand corner. It’s the Welcome to Wrexham Notts County would have wanted and puts them in a great position going into the second half.
HALF TIME Wrexham 0-1 Notts County
A moment of magic at the death of the first half sends County into the lead at the break. They’ve largely been on the backfoot so far, with Wrexham seeing most of the ball and looking slightly more threatening going forward. The visitors haven’t played bad though by any stretch of the imagination, they’ve just struggled to get going a bit. A late goal should be the catalyst for County to start playing the football they’ve been playing all season.
Although having more of the ball, Wrexham haven’t shown too much quality either. No clear-cut chance for them so far, but they have found some joy with long balls over the high line of their opponents. If it continues to work, it could be their way back into this one.
Still all to play for in the second 45.
46′ We are back underway here in this crucial promotion fixture.
49′ GOAL (WRX 1-1 NCO) Mullin fires Wrexham level.
James Jones makes a great run down the right-hand side to receive the ball, allowing him to slide it into the box for Mullin to finish into the bottom corner. The chance is taken clinically by Wrexham’s number ten, claiming his 44th goal in all competitions this season.
County are not happy with the goal, with shouts of a foul from Mullin in the build-up. It’s clear to see there is contact from Mullin on Geraldo Bajrami, which causes him to trip allowing Mullin an uncontested opportunity to score.
If there was VAR in the National League, it would possibly still be 1-0.
59′ Mullin’s goal has lit a fire in Notts County. They’ve been full of energy since the restart and look dangerous when going forward. It’s just the final pass that’s letting them down at the moment, Wrexham’s backline doing its job in holding off the current onslaught.
61′ CHANCE Wrexham hit the bar!
Eaoghan O’Connell gets a powerful connection on the end of a Ryan Barnett cross, and it thunders against the crossbar. A tremendous effort from the centre half.
66′ YELLOW Matt Palmer goes in the book after a foul on Andy Cannon.
69′ GOAL (WRX 2-1 NCO) What a turnaround.
Mullin drives the ball across the box to find the goal-scorer Jacob Mendy. It’s a very good finish from the Gambian, sending it past Slocombe from a tight angle.
The pressure from Wrexham in the last ten minutes has proved too much for County. It’s going to be a real challenge to get back in front, but a challenge integral to County’s title hopes.
74′ County come close to a leveller.
Cameron makes a commanding run into the box, but his ball across goal can’t quite find the outstretched boot of Macaulay Langstaff
75′ Another great opportunity for an equaliser.
This time it’s Sam Austin who weaves his way into a position to shoot. Foster is alert and makes a crucial save to push the ball past the post for a corner.
It’s been a brilliant reaction from County in the last few minutes.
75′ GOAL (WRX 2-2 NCO) If at first you don’t succeed…
After a period of constant pressure, Cameron heads home following a corner, to bring County level.
It’s awful defending from Wrexham, leaving Cameron completely unmarked at the back post, but that shouldn’t take anything away from the drive of the visitors.
This game is living up to the hype and the title race is going well and truly down to the wire.
78′ GOAL (WRX 3-2 NCO) Elliot Lee puts Wrexham back in front.
It’s an absolute gift of a goal. Bajrami attempts a cute flick to clear his lines, when it really just needed a powerful clearance. The ball falls straight to Mullin, who tees up Lee to slot home a third for his side.
So much hard work has all been undone with one mistake. It’s starting to look like Wrexham are going to leave here with the title race firmly in their control. Having said that, I would imagine this road isn’t out of twists just yet.
88′ CHANCE That would have sealed it.
Mullin powers his way into the box, continuing to give his opponents a torrid time defending him. He squares it to Sam Dalby who has his first-time attempt parried away by Slocombe. It’s a crucial block by County’s number 1 as he keeps his side alive in this one.
It’s Bajrami again who struggles to contain Mullin, he looks to be having a tough time holding off the prolific striker.
90′ There will be six minutes of added time.
90+5′ PENALTY What a chance here for Notts County.
Langstaff’s header is blocked by the flailing arm of McConnel giving the ref no choice but to point to the spot.
The travelling fan’s don’t seem to understand the magnitude of what’s just happened, taking a few minutes to erupt into cheers, upon realising a penalty has been awarded.
So much pressure on this one kick of a ball. I wouldn’t like to be Cedwyn Scott right now.
90+6′ PENALTY SAVED That’s why they signed him!
Foster guesses the right way and denies County a late leveller. It’s a fantastic stop from the keeper, who raised eyebrows by choosing to come out of retirement to join the club. That save alone will be worth it to the fans as it may just have sealed the title, and promotion into the EFL.
FULL TIME Wrexham 3-2 Notts County
What a game. It had all the elements of a film the Wrexham owners would be proud to star in themselves. It’s Wrexham who come away with all the points, but it could have all been so different. A massive chance squandered at the end and despite periods of real attacking promise, County struggled to be as threatening as their opponents today.
The title race isn’t completely over, but with a game in hand the odds are now very much in Wrexham’s favour. The Welsh side will travel to Barnet next whereas Luke William’s men will host Woking, in a bid to claw their way back into the title picture.
