Day Out

Better than Ajax

John Williams goes to Kenilworth Road…

I had not been too well in the week prior to Saturday October 28th and the weather forecast was very poor, so I was in two minds whether to travel the 80 miles to watch Wrexham at Luton. 

A link from Red Passion’s website described Kenilworth Road as having possibly the worst away end, so that clinched it – I had to go just for the experience. When we got to the ground we found cramped seats and poor visibility but at least our £14 entrance fee included a roof over our heads, which was just as well as it rained heavily for most of the game. Wrexham fans will know that the game resulted in an amazing comeback by the Reds to win 4-3 but I can reveal the secret as to how it came about. In the Matchday Magazine Luton manager Ricky Hill said: 'I have been hammering the point about the need to put 90 minutes of genuine effort and commitment into every game. Several times we had done it for half a match, which is not good enough. On the other hand, if top form is to be hit for just one spell of 45 minutes I hope it will always be for the first half, and bring a 3-0 lead at the interval!' Obviously the Luton players read the last bit of his message but not the first, whereas the Wrexham players battled hard (and played good football) for the whole game.

During the game I paid particular attention to two young players: midfielder Barrett and striker Faulconbridge, both of whom had good games. Barrett’s strengths were good positional play and anticipation and he was unlucky not to score with a superbly struck volley from outside the penalty area. One area he could improve is his heading. Faulconbridge worked tirelessly and linked very well with others; in fact he was involved in the moves for all four Wrexham goals. Craig is not an out and out goalscorer but should get more goals if he can find more space near to goal by varying or delaying his runs.

I did make some more detailed notes but I can’t refer to them as they went astray when the cheering and dancing in the aisles at the excitement of the fourth Wrexham goal caused four or five of us to end up in a heap on the floor. After the game I visited the Luton Club Shop to buy a plastic rosette (£2) to add to my small (but growing) Wrexham Away Victims Trophy Collection. A Luton supporter magnanimously congratulated me on Wrexham’s performance and asked if we could leave a few of our team behind as they need some good players!

Earlier this year I had been on holiday to Amsterdam and I was fortunate to watch Ajax at the spectacular Amsterdam Arena (50,000 all-seater stadium with elevated pitch and covered roof) but I can honestly say that watching Wrexham at Kenilworth Road was much more fun!