Bradley Walker, Wrexham’s talented young midfield player, is ready to face his former club Hartlepool United at the Racecourse on Tuesday.
Walker, who joined Wrexham on loan from Crewe, scored their goal from a penalty during the 1-1 draw against Chesterfield away.
He is loving life with the Dragons and was overjoyed to see Wrexham supporters travel to Derbyshire in force for the Vanarama National League clash.
“Over 1,500 fans traveled and they believe in us,” said Walker. “We believe in ourselves, too, so there is no reason why we can’t keep moving on and plugging away.
http://https://youtu.be/Ao3aHtMYt7A
“The fans were unbelievable. I didn’t expect to walk out and see so many. The noise they made was incredible and they are brilliant.
“I couldn’t even hear the home fans. it was all Wrexham.”
Walker netted his first goal for the Reds, scoring from a 20th minute penalty after Chesterfield’s Will Evans handled in the box.
“I knew I’d be taking the penalties and was buzzing when we were awarded one,” he said. “It felt so good to put it away.
“I knew where I would be putting it and felt confident. I know how much it meant to all those fans behind the goal and I was delighted to put it away.
“I felt we were unlucky to go in only 1-0 ahead at half-time. We should have been out of sight.
“Chesterfield did really well in the second-half, though, you have to give them credit. We need to be better, too.”
Wrexham were made to pay the price for not failed to score a second goal when Chesterfield equalised after 90 minutes.
Jonathan Smith headed home to complete a 1-1 scoreline.
Shaun Pearson, Paul Rutherford and Mike Fondop all returned to the starting line-up for Wrexham, while Luke Summerfield and Doug Tharme were ruled out with injuries.
Walker’s spot-kick gave Wrexham the lead. It seemed they would hang on and keep another clean sheet, but Chesterfield snatched that equaliser when Jerome Binnom-Williams crossed and Smith was unmarked when he headed in at the far post.
http://https://youtu.be/OTqIi_qVNtA
Wrexham would gave moved top of the Vanarama National League with a win, but the draw left them third, one point behind leaders Layton Orient.
Now Wrexham turn to successive home fixtures, against Walker’s first club as a professional, Hartlepool, on Tuesday and Gateshead on Saturday.
Chesterfield: Burton, Denton (Amantchi 59), Maguire, Smith, Binnom-Williams, Hollis, Hines, Evans (Shaw 46), Muggleton (Kiwomya 76), Weston, Rowley. Subs not used: Antoine Fortune, Reid.
Wrexham: Lainton Roberts, Lawlor, Pearson, Carrington (Jennings 46), Wright, Walker, Young, Rutherford, Fondop (Beavon 59), Pyke (Holroyd 75). Subs not used: Dibble, Maguire-Drew.
Referee: Chris Pollard (Suffolk)
Attendance: 5,662 (Away 1,520)
Vanarama National League – top five
| P | W | D | L | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Leyton Orient | 17 | 10 | 6 | 1 | +23 | 36 |
| 2 | Salford | 17 | 10 | 5 | 2 | +18 | 35 |
| 3 | Wrexham | 17 | 10 | 5 | 2 | +13 | 35 |
| 4 | Solihull M | 17 | 11 | 1 | 5 | +8 | 34 |
| 5 | Harrogate T | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | +14 | 33 |