Wrexham (0) 2 Vale (1) 1 – 7/11/23 EFL Trophy 7.30
The Wrexham show marches on, with them coming from behind with super-subs Paul Mullin & ex-Stokie James McClean! They couldn’t write a Hollywood script about it. Crazy. Here’s how this movie unfolded in movie-real time:
Well, here we are. it’s the famous Racecourse Ground of Wrexham for the EFL trophy game with Port Vale. It’s a waste of time, as both these sides have qualified for the next round, it’s just to see who is seeded in the next round to get a home tie, supposedly. Vale make 10 changes, keeping Nathan red-card Smith & bringing in the likes of Ryan Loft, Josh Thomas & Rhys Walters. Wrexham make ELEVEN changes, which means that soon to be suspended Paul Mullin and (surprise surprise) James McClean sit on the bench. Truth is, everyone’s here to see McClean (well, it is a full-house here in this competition that usually only attracts 1500 fans), and this is the first game to be played under the Trophy’s new name, the Bristol Street Motors Trophy! Rolls off your tongue, don’t it. Penalty if a draw! Why???
8.32 Vale test Wrexham keeper Luke McNicholas.
16.40 Wrexham’s Jake Bickerstaff has a go, but Vale keeper Jayson Leutwiler takes it cleanly.
25.30 Vale’s Jesse Debrah ghosts through and tries to loft one into the far top corner but is just wide. Going for glory.
27.20 Ethan Chislett brings out a save in Wrexham’s Luke McNick. Vale reminding the Welsh club who is in League One (not 2!).
30.56 1-0 to Vale as Josh Thomas latches on to a cross from the right (from Gavin Massey). Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson comes to the edge of his area to scowl at his players. (Send on Mullin & McClean!)
HT 1-0 to League One Vale
Attendance 7870 (673 away fans)
60.00 Wrexham bring on the big guns, striker Paul Mullin and wild cat James ex-stokie McClean. Now we’re talking.
69.53 1-1!! Wrexham’s master scorer Paul Mullin blasts it into the corner from a brilliant left side cross. Who assisted with that cross?? Only James McClean!! You Could’ner Make It Up!
74.50 Wrexham’s James McClean then hits a screamer but it’s just past the post. Wow!
81.40 Incredible save by Vale’s Leutwiler from Bickerstaff. Cross was from Mullin. Corner!
82.15 2-1 !!! Wrexham score from the corner! It’s James McClean with a header!!! His photo is even displayed on the big screen! Vale fans naturally displeased.
85.00 Man of the match….is James McClean!!! He’s only been on for 25 minutes!!
90+8 FT Wrexham 2 Vale 1. Both are through, but Wrexham are more through!!
