Hello friends and welcome back to the final chapter of my first season with Wrexham as we chase for the title in a two horse race with Luton Town.
With five matches left to play we started off with a home game against Tamworth. Ismael Fofan put us ahead after 16 minutes following a delicate through ball from Williams to Baheng who whipped across the area for Fofana to tuck home. He added to his tally right on half time with again Williams being the playmaker though this time to Lyskov who was the end provider. We appeared to slack off again in the second half but have taken another step closer to the title.
The tension was mounting, the stakes so very high as we entered the field at Kennilworth Road to face second place Luton Town. A pre-match rallying cry of “for the fans” I hoped would boost the team and sure enough we took the lead after Fofana was brought down in the box running onto a Gilomour pass. Fofana sent the keeper the wrong way and it was 1-0. Three minutes later an intelligent through ball by LB Darren Lough found Wesley Ngo Baheng and it was 2-0. However, Luton forcefully took over the game from that point and we spent much of the time on the back foot but defended well. Finally Luton broke through with a rocket of a shot in the 74th minute and when Lough was sent off five minutes from time things did not look good. The lads held firm and we came away with a massive victory that gives us a six point lead over Luton.
Our next game was also away in an all Welsh battle against Newport County. Just what we needed. We started brightly making good headway down both flanks but Baheng and Forfana upfront were nowhere to be seen when the ball was worked into the box. Brian Gilmour though finally played in the right ball and Fonfana ran onto it to break the deadlock just after the half hour. Further expedetions into Newport territory proved fruitless and although we got off lots of shots we couldn’t come up with anymore goals. Three points though which means we only need one more to become champions!
The following ganme was at home to Barrow and a chance to secure the title in front of the home fans. My biggest problem was again fatigue and I had to make several changes. Ismael Fofona had the ball in the back of the net early on but was his effort was disallowed for offside. Almost immediately we gave away a penalty and Barrow took the lead. We then laid seige to the Barrow goal but could not break through their resolute defence and indeed the lack of composure contributed to wasted opportunites. With the game seemingly out of our reach substitue striker Marc Williams was first to react to a Dean Keats lob forward and he placed it neatly under the Barrow keeper to level the score. Williams almost added another but the point was good enough and we were Champions and on our way back to the Football League!!
We travelled to Darlington for the final game of the season and secured another three points with a late goal by Francis Laurent with Wesley Baheng providing the assist. We didn’t go out on a high note but it was a victory and I’m pleased with the outcome.
Final Table
So there we have it, champions of The Blue Square Premeir League when we were predicted to finish 7th. The board were delighted of course which will hopefully make them forget about my cup exit!
That’s concludes the first season with Wrexham and now I shall move on to assessing the squad and deciding whose in and out as preparations immediately begin for life in League Two.
Thanks one and all for following along and I look forward to bringing you more updates from The Racecourse Ground.
Laxeyman
9 декабря, 2010 at 16:21
Well done Kevin, that’s fantastic, getting Wrexham promoted when you were only predicted to finish 7th. Your side really deserved it, and hopefully you can build on that next season in League 2. Congratulations again :)
Kevin
9 декабря, 2010 at 16:40
Hi Laxeyman
Thanks a lot. I’m delighted with the finish even though it was nail biter against Barrow!
warren
9 декабря, 2010 at 17:31
Well done Kevin and its a nice end of a season that could have ended up worse if results hadn’t gone your way in some matches. I am looking forward to seeing you cope in League 2 and hope that you can have another successful season.
Kevin
9 декабря, 2010 at 17:48
Hi warren
Many thanks for your comment and I’m looking forward to the new challenge.
Darren Smith
9 декабря, 2010 at 18:28
Well done mate!! What an amazing run of form, you beat some good sides and away from home as well. I love the victory over Luton, Im going to add your first points to the rankings. An awsome achievement and I cant wait to see who you sign for the start of League Two.
ps I really like Baheng, he seems to have been the difference.
Kevin
9 декабря, 2010 at 18:48
Hi Darren
Thanks a lot. The signing of Baheng made a real difference and I’m excited to move on to the next level!
Johnny Karp
9 декабря, 2010 at 19:45
Congratulations! That was a great season, 99 points is an awesome total and that proves that the team has a strong enough backbone to make it in League Two. Good luck for the transfer window :)
Kevin
9 декабря, 2010 at 22:29
Cheers Johnny
Looking forward to see who will be coming in and going out :)
Sears
9 декабря, 2010 at 20:00
Extraordinary Kevin!
Fabulous achievement and one you can match in League 2 if you sign the right players. G’luck Kevin!
Kevin
9 декабря, 2010 at 22:31
Hi Sears
Thanks a lot mate. I never expected quite the season we had now as you say it’s about finding the right players.
markjulian
10 декабря, 2010 at 07:34
good work, i would like to see the bottom two of the conference because kidderminster finished third bottom, with 35 points, -52 goal difference and 100 goals conceded{exclamation mark}
Kevin
10 декабря, 2010 at 08:23
Hi markjulian
Thanks, I’ll put up the bottom two in my next post for you.
Arjuna
10 декабря, 2010 at 09:43
Congratulations Kevin,
You deserve this title and have played well this season, you should do well next season!
Arjuna
Kevin
11 декабря, 2010 at 00:39
Hi Arjuna
Thanks very much, I hope to perform as well too!
Ana Garcia
10 декабря, 2010 at 12:14
Congratulations!!
Won it comfortably in the end by 7 points, I think you were justified in playing a weaker side in the cup now!
Good luck for next season!! :)
Kevin
11 декабря, 2010 at 00:40
Hi Ana
Gracias amiga :)
Lye
10 декабря, 2010 at 14:07
Hi Kevin,
Well done and congratulations on the title win. Is your team semi-professional or professional? Think you will turn professional when going to league 2. Looking forward to that. Have a good break and see you soon.
Kevin
11 декабря, 2010 at 00:41
Hello Lye
Wrexham is fully professional so no worries in turning everyone over to a new status. Saves time too :)
hils
10 декабря, 2010 at 15:30
Hi Kevin,well done on winning the title!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully you will win league 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kevin
11 декабря, 2010 at 00:42
hello hils!!!!!
Thanks for your comments and continuing support
Frank
11 декабря, 2010 at 15:37
Hi Kevin,
Well done on promotion and you did it first time. Hopefully you will be able to establish your side in League 2 without having to stay up after one season and then establish them. Good Luck.
Also om my blog i am a second division Dutch side. And with your managerial knowledge could you give me some suggestions on good signings. Thanks that would be appreciated.
thefootballgaffer.blogspot.com
Sayam Khan
11 декабря, 2010 at 15:44
Hey Kevin
Sorry for missing your last few posts due to computer problems. Anyway after catching up on your story i must say well done! Winning the title is brilliant! Good Luck for next season ;-)