Another day, another top five team away from home. Ebbsfleet United travel to Wales on Tuesday in hope of picking up a surprise result at league leaders Wrexham.
Wrexham FC
Founded - 1864
Nickname - The Dragons
Ground - Racecourse Ground
Manager - Andy Morrell
Captain - Dean Keates
Top scorer - Danny Wright (12)
It's becoming a little repetitve lately, but Wrexham have had an excellent season so far. After the devastating feeling of getting 98 points last season and still not achieving promotion, questions were asked as to whether they would bounce back from it. Well, the Reds have certainly answered these questions as they sit comfortably at the top of the Blue Square Premier, and have made it through to this month's FA Trophy final in what is the best final the FA Trophy has seen for a while as they face fellow promotion hopefuls Grimsby Town. Wrexham could be clear at the top of the league had they not drawn so many times. The Dragons have drawn 11 games this season, more than any of their promotion rivals.
Wrexham's last match was quite a frustrating one as they could only secure a draw at home to Alfreton. Despite taking an early lead the Dragons didn't really take a hold of the game allowing Alfreton to get into it and earn themselves a well deserved point. Kevin Thornton put the hosts 1-0 up in the 8th minute with a hot from 25 yards. Alfreton were the better side for most of the game and they got their reward 12 minutes into the second half as Scott Boden tapped in from 6 yards out. Wrexham's front three of Dele Adebola, Brett Ormerod and Danny Wright have a combined age of 101! Wrexham remain top despite the draw, but only on goal difference. In-form Kidderminster are hot on their tails.
The 'Fleet travelled to Kidderminster on Saturday and despite a spirited performance the visitors lost 3-2 to the divisions in-form side. Dami Shitta gave the 'Fleet a surprise lead in the 13th minute only for Kiddy to equalise a minute later as Vincent struck home after 'keeper Preston Edwards was fouled. Kidderminster were a completely differet side in the second half. Anthony Malbon nicked in to put them ahead before Callum Gittings put the game out of the 'Fleet's reach in the 87th minute. Substitute Nathan Elder reduced the defecit to just one from the spot in the last minute of the game. The 'Fleet remain in 23rd place in the league but slip to 5 points from safety now.
KEY PLAYERS:
Captain Dean Keates is an important player for Wrexham. His passion and determination serves him well, he has a decent range of passing and creates good opportunities for himself and his team mates. Top scorer Danny Wright will be key for Wrexham in this match as he looks to extend his goal tally. You'll have to go back to Boxing Day when Wrexham last won a match by more than two goals, a 4-1 victory at home to Telford, and they'll see this as a good opportunity to get a comfortable win and extend their unbeaten run to 13 games.
The 'Fleet will once again look to Preston Edwards in this game. The shot stopper made some decent saves against Kidderminster and, with some help from those in front of him, will need to be on top form to keep out the Wrexham attack. Liam Enver-Marum will need to be on form in this match. Chances could be few and far between so any chances that are made will need to be made the most of.
TEAM NEWS:
Wrexham are without Martin Riley due to a hamstring injury and Jay Harris serves the 2nd of a 4 game suspension. Other than that, player/manager Andy Morrell should have a near full squad to choose from including recent loan signings David Artell and Dele Adebola. One player who won't be playing is hero and villain in the same game Joslain Mayebi. The crazy number one is out for the remainder of the season with an achilles injury. Mark Creighton suffered a horrible knee injury while playing against the 'Fleet earlier in the season, he's still missing from the Wrexham squad, but is back in training.
It doesn't look like we'll be seeing Moses Ashikodi in a 'Fleet shirt again this season. The striker has been out since before Christmas and it doesn't look like he'll be returning any time soon! Liam Daish should have a near full squad to choose from.
WREXHAM'S LAST SIX LEAGUE MATCHES (DWWWWD):
Wrexham 1-1 Alfreton Town
Barrow 0-1 Wrexham
Gateshead 0-1 Wrexham
Hereford United 0-1 Wrexham
Wrexham 3-1 Stockport County
Forest Green Rovers 0-0 Wrexham
Goals: 7
Conceded: 2
EBBSFLEET'S LAST SIX LEAGUE MATCHES (LLWDWL):
Kidderminster Harriers 3-2 Ebbsfleet United
Grimsby Town 3-1 Ebbsfleet United
Ebbsfleet United 1-0 Hereford United
Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Stockport County
Ebbsfleet United 3-1 Gateshead
Ebbsfleet United 0-4 Macclesfield Town
Goals: 7
Conceded: 11
PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS:
With the exception of one game, Wrexham and Ebbsfleet have always enjoyed close fought battles since the Dragons' relegation from League Two in 2007/08. Of course the former Football-League side lead the head-to-head with 4 wins from 7 matches.
18.08.12. Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Wrexham
13.03.12. Ebbsfleet United 0-5 Wrexham
01.10.11. Wrexham 1-0 Ebbsfleet United
06.03.10. Wrexham 1-1 Ebbsfleet United
31.10.09. Ebbsfleet United 0-1 Wrexham
LAST TIME OUT:
Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Wrexham.
Wrexham's Joslain Mayebi went from being the villain to hero within 20 second half minutes in this match. Johnny Hunt had put the visitors ahead just after the interval after some good work by captain Dean Keates. After pressing for an equaliser it finally came in the 70th minute as Mayebi came rushing out of his goal and fumbled the ball, allowing Liam Enver-Marum to put the ball in the empty net from the edge of the box. 18 minutes later Moses Ashikodi was presented with a golden chance to win the game as Martin Riley handled in the box. Fortunately for Wrexham Mayebi saved the penalty to ensure Wrexham went home with a point.
Attendance: 843.
HOW THE BOOKIES SEE IT:
William Hill have Wrexham clear favourites at 2/7 with the 'Fleet at 11/2. You can get good odds on a draw at 4/1. If you fancy a 0-0 bore draw then the odds for that are 14/1.
Bet Victor have Wrexham to win at 2/5 with the 'Fleet coming in at 13/2. Again, a draw for this match is 4/1. If you fancy Wrexham top scorer Danny Wright to grab the first goal then the odds for this are 17/4.
Ladbrokes have Wrexham at 1/3 with the 'Fleet at 6/1. A draw with Ladbrokes sees decent odds of 10/3. If you fancy the 'Fleet to record a surprise 0-1 win then you can get odds of 18/1.
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