Wrexham 3 v Manchester City 3.
wrexhamafc.premiumtv.co.uk.
A strong Manchester City squad took the lead three times at the Racecourse, but still couldn't beat an impressive Wrexham. Manchester City handed debuts to former Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Joe Hart and Ousmane Dabo who joined from Lazio.
However, Dietmar Hamman had to wait for his chance to impress as he started on the bench alongside Paul Dickov, who returned to the club after a four-year absence.
After experimenting with one up front against Liverpool, Neil Roberts was partnered with trial-list Blair Sturrock in a new look 4-4-2 formation.
It took only 7 minutes for Stuart Pearce's side to take the lead. Joey Barton was left free on the right hand side and with a pin-point cross found Ishmael Miller. After controlling the ball with his chest, the youngster fired a vicious strike past the despairing dive of Michael Ingham.
Wrexham's first attack involved three new signings. Ryan Valentine drove the ball towards the head of Blair Sturrock, however his cross was snatched from the waiting Neil Roberts by City's new midfielder Ousmane Dabo, to deny a certain goal.
Stuart Pearce's men should have doubled their lead shortly after the half hour mark. City right back, Willo Flood, burst through the centre of Wrexham's midfield and played the perfect ball for Vassell to slot home, but his shot was tipped wide by the Northern Ireland keeper.
However, five minutes later the home side's first effort on target turned into an equaliser. Good work from Ryan Valentine and Josh Johnson on the right hand side ended with the Trinidad & Tobago winger crossing for the incoming Chris Llewellyn to fire a thunderous effort into Joe Hart's top left corner.
City changed all ten outfield players at half-time, meaning Wrexham would be competing against a team of fresh legs. Didi Hamman and Paul Dickov were two of the eleven introduced.
Wrexham also made changes, Gareth Evans replaced Shaun Pejic, Michael Jones came on for Ingham and Matty Done was given another chance on the left wing replacing goal scorer Chris Llewellyn.
The blues piled on the pressure at the beginning of the second half and were rewarded after 53 minutes through Georgios Samaras. His shot took a wicked deflection of the boot of substitute Gareth Evans before looping over the hapless Michael Jones in goal.
City piled on the pressure after that, looking for a killer third goal, but it was Denis Smith's side who struck next.
Josh Johnson received the ball on the right and using his effective pace and skill he glided past the Manchester City full-back with ease. His cross was headed on by Sturrock to leave Matty Done alone on the back post to smash past debutant Joe Hart.
The ball went from end to end after that as both teams tried to take the lead. However, for the third time in the match it was City who took the advantage.
The dangerous Georgios Samaras took control on the left hand side, with nobody closing the Greek striker down, he shifted the ball onto his stronger right foot to curl the ball past Michael Jones from 20 yards out. The young goalkeeper was left wondering where his defence was.
Wrexham refused to let the game and for a third time found an equaliser this time through a Sylvan Distin own goal. The very impressive Ryan Valentine curled a dangers cross into the Manchester City area, with Hart remaining on his line Distin had to clear, but unfortunately for the Frenchman he ended up putting through his own net. Some silky skills from Matty Done and Jamie Reed was all that was left of the game after that, but Wrexham proved they can mix with the big boys.
Manager Denis Smith was pleased with the outcome:
"I was pleased with the workout and the result, They pressurised us but there was some good performances.
It was a good workout. First half I was quite disappointed with us, unlike Saturday, and had a few words at half-time but second-half they really turned it on and turned up the heat. "To come out with 3-3 is a good result. There was some good performances.
"It's been good because I've had a chance to have a look at two or three trialists and I'm getting more of a feel for the players that I've got, what they can do and what they can't do. Certain players are sticking their head above the paraphet which I didn't expect , Gaz Evans and people like that are doing well an you think oh great."
"There are little things happening which you don't expect.
"Josh is a handful, he covered a lot tonight and got good crosses in and we scored from them. Matty Done was playing against an England international full-back and was giving him a hard time which is great. I'm delighted with that especially as he took a couple of knocks but still got up.
"Balls should have gone into certain areas but didn't but we will iron that out over the next few weeks. I think that people who have come along and played their money have had a good entertaining night. "I've been given a budget and I know what I've to work with. Josh looks as though he will be going to Northern Ireland with us, with is good and we will take it from there."
Wrexham: Ingham (Michael Jones), Valentine, Pejic (Evans), Lawrence (Mackin), Mike Williams (Mark Jones), Llewellyn (Done), Ferguson (c) (Crowell), Danny Williams (Spender), Johnson, Roberts (Read), Sturrock (Kyle Wilson).
Manchester City 1st Half: Hart, Flood, Thatcher, Dabo, Dunne (c), Mills, Sinclair, Barton, Miller, Sibierski, Vassell.
2nd Half: Hart, Mills, Richards, Hamman, Distin (c), Jordan, Ireland, Laird, Croft, Samaras, Dickov.
Referee: Mr. Mike Jones.
Attendance: 3,588.
Away: 1,096.
