Wrexham fell to their first defeat of the league campaign as promotion favourites Birmingham City came away with a 3-1 victory on Monday night.
It was a Hollywood occasion in Birmingham as a whole host of stars – including Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney, David Beckham and Gary Neville – were all in attendance.
Wrexham got off to a fine start in the match; pressing the hosts high and reaping the rewards inside three minutes. Tom O’Connor’s wicked delivery from a corner fell to the feet of Jack Marriott, who finished brilliantly past Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Phil Parkinson’s men then continued to threaten inside the first 20 minutes but after a spell of promise, it was Birmingham who dominated the rest of the match, with Wrexham camped in their half for most of it.
Jay Stansfield capitalised on a rare Arthur Okonkwo error to score their first however, he could do nothing about their second as Stansfield powered a header past him from close range early into the second half.
It didn’t get easier for the visitors, either, as Tomoki Iwata’s crisp strike found the corner of the net from range to round off the scoring.
For Wrexham, this was always going to be an acid test of their promotion credentials as Tom Brady’s Birmingham spent a ridiculous amount of money in the window and are expected to storm to the League One title.
With that said, here’s how the players rated.
Wrexham player ratings vs Birmingham City
Arthur Okonkwo – 5
Okonkwo has been one of Wrexham’s best performers this season but he was at fault for Birmingham’s first goal, parrying Alfie May’s strike straight into Jay Stansfield, who was first to react in the box to fire home.
Ryan Barnett – 6.5
Barnett provided his usual energy and tenacity down the right flank. He stopped numerous crosses into the box and was a livewire when given the chance to go forward – a rare sight in this game.
Max Cleworth – 6
Birmingham’s second goal came down his side as Barnett and Cleworth both failed to stop the cross.
Eoghan O’Connell – 6.5
Alex Cochrane’s delivery flew over his head as Stansfield scored his second of the night. Perhaps will have felt disappointed to get caught under the ball but aside from that, was solid defensively.
Tom O’Connor – 7
O’Connor whipped a wicked corner into the box that resulted in Wrexham’s first goal, with Marriott firing home. Was typically great with his distribution and solid at the back.
James McClean – 6
McClean is usually a bundle of energy and quality down the left but against the promotion favourites, was rarely given a chance to travel with the ball and whip crosses into the box. The Irishman was forced onto a lot of defending,
George Dobson – 6
Wrexham were overran in midfield and Dobson couldn’t prevent an onslaught of attacks but did throw himself into tackles, as usual.
Ollie Rathbone – 5
Wrexham’s record signing was one of many who struggled to get into the game in the first half, with the hosts dominating the ball as expected and a similar pattern followed in the second.
Elliot Lee – 6
Struggled to have a usual positive impact on the game and was uncharacteristically quiet, making just nine touches in the first half. Did improve in the second, though, firing a couple of efforts on goal.
Jack Marriott – 7
Got Wrexham off to the best start inside three minutes when he finished his chance brilliantly inside the box but struggled to get in the game after that as Birmingham dominated the match and was substituted on the hour mark.
Ollie Palmer – 5
Much like Marriott, has made an excellent start to the season but was chasing shadows a lot of the time against Birmingham and failed to make it stick up top.
Substitutes
Steven Fletcher – 6
Came on at the same time as Paul Mullin and was a decent presence up top but was always a difficult game for the veteran to be introduced into.
Paul Mullin – 7
Added a fresh impetus to the Wrexham attack from the bench, drawing fouls and being a nuisance. Registered their first shot on target in the second half.
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