Wrexham eased into the FA Trophy second round thanks to three first half goals in their 3-0 home win against Boston United.
Manager Graham Barrow made five changes from the FA Cup second-round replay defeat at Newport and said afterwards: “All I said to the players was we’ve been boasting a bit about how strong the squad is and it was a good response from the players.
“I’m really pleased with the lads that came in.
“Rapidly, after next week, there are three or four tough games in a short space of time. We are going to be stretched, but it was more important that the lads got 90 minutes.”
Matt Sargent made his senior debut, while fellow youth player Jack Thorne was denied his own first appearance when the ball did not go out of play late on.
http://https://youtu.be/bm-6_bxhxT0
“Matt did well when he came on and used the ball intelligently so that was really good,” said Barrow.
“There were just so many players that needed 90 minutes under their belts. Mike, Chris and Devs really needed 90 minutes
“If somebody scores it can quickly turn around [in those conditions] but it wasn’t a lack of belief in what the players can do, it was just circumstance.
“I think you have to take the competition seriously. Anything that has Wembley at the end of it, for me, is always worth working hard for.
“When you can rapidly get there, if we can get the right draw – and possibly a home draw in the next round – then let’s take it.”
http://https://youtu.be/PV5Cg1eqjIc
The Dragons overcame freezing conditions and driving rain at the Racecourse to score first half goals through Chris Holroyd, Fondop and man of the match Paul Rutherford.
Wrexham could hardly have asked for a better start, as one minute in Chris Holroyd slotted the ball past George Willis from close in. A driven ball across the face of goal from Rutherford was latched onto by Holroyd, who knocked it home from point blank range.
Things got worse for the Pilgrims as Wrexham doubled their lead ten minutes in, courtesy of Mike Fondop. The number nine executed a quick turn just outside the area and poked a low ball past the stationary Boston keeper.
As the half progressed, Boston began to grow into the game, set pieces especially proving dangerous to Wrexham.
http://https://youtu.be/vnr9k7nMm30
It proved to be a false dawn for Boston though, as 32 minutes in Wrexham scored their third of the game. Paul Rutherford latched onto an excellent through ball from Nicky Deverdics and one on one with the keeper, neatly placed the ball into the bottom left corner.
In a second half lacking in excitement and quality, perhaps owing to the persistent and heavy rain, James Jennings threatened to making things interesting 72 minutes in by firing a 30-yard shot at the Boston goal, forcing Willis into a leaping save.
There was though a debut for youth midfielder Matt Sargent with five minutes remaining, but frustration for fellow Scholar Jack Thorn who was up and ready to also make his debut, but the ball refused to go out of play and when it finally did, the referee ended proceedings!
Fondop had the last kick of the game, with a curling effort being saved by Willis.
Wrexham: Dibble, Jennings, Summerfield, Fondop, Holroyd, Carrington (capt), Rutherford (Sargent 85), Walker, Deverdics, Wright, Lawlor. Subs not used: Lainton, Beavon, Thorn, Grant.
Boston United: Willis (capt), Davies, Jackson, Thanoj, Harris, Qualter, Wright (Rollins 77), Abbott, Allott (Slew 72), Agnew, Walker (Gibbens 57). Subs not used: Malkowski, Wafula.
Referee: Simon Mather (Greater Manchester)
Attendance: 1,083 (away 80)