Wrexham Blamed for maintaining a negative habit of giving up on a goal too soon

Wrexham actually started the derby with an impressive urgency, despite succumbing in the eighth minute and continuing a bad tendency of giving up a goal early, as seen against Forest Green Rovers and Morecambe.

The Red Dragons usually end up on the winning side when they play with such fervor, but this time it wasn’t to be.

Just beyond the Rovers box, Regan Hendry blasted a half volley through pass, which resulted in Andy Cannon and Norris going one-on-one at the opposite end.

The number 20 for Wrexham ran quickly enough to match Norris’ speed and get to the ball first. Cannon, though, found himself in a difficult situation and struggled to clear the ball. Since Arthur Okonkwo was positioned outside of his six-yard box and in danger, Norris had an easy time finishing the play and placing the ball in the bottom corner.

After the squad’s encouraging start, it was difficult to accept, but the 11,000 Reds in attendance encouraged the players.

Max Cleworth responded by frequently playing the long ball into Steven Fletcher, whose aerial skill frequently saw him win the ball and open up space for others to play forward from him. But any clean work around and inside the box, as demonstrated at Gillingham, was not to be.

Wrexham had to attempt to equalize with crosses, which were plentiful, as a result.

Again and again, Ryan Barnett sprinted down the right-flank, with acres of space to deliver his lethal crosses. But the Tranmere defenders were up to the challenge, masterfully managing their defensive line in the box to deny Wrexham many headed opportunities.

The Rovers defense decided to invite long-range attempts, which is why the majority of the Red Dragons’ 25 shots came from outside the box. They made a wise choice in doing so because they blocked practically every effort with their bodies, making Elliot Lee and other players look frustrated.

With twenty-five minutes remaining, Phil Parkinson switched from a four-at-the-back configuration to a diamond in midfield in an attempt to find the equalizer. The goal remained elusive, but not for lack of effort.

Leading the line were Ollie Palmer and Sam Dalby, with Jordan Davies and Lee on either side and Paul Mullin playing from behind.

The players lost the control they had in the opening forty-five minutes of the game, according to the gaffer’s post-match comments, and as a result the game got too open.

The Red Dragons were vulnerable to a counteroffensive, as Tranmere was able to maintain possession for extended periods of time. Though “the clarity in those decisions in the final third wasn’t where it needed to be,” Wrexham’s attacking overloads were evident.

Like the Red Dragons did at Prenton Park earlier in the season, the Birkenhead team exacted their revenge with a 1-0 victory, despite Wrexham’s best efforts to score.

Now that Parkinson’s team is five points behind Mansfield Town in first place and still in the running for automatic promotion, a trip to Blundell Park to play Grimsby Town awaits.