Winless weekend for Welsh clubs as most draw while Newport suffer defeat: Welsh football weekend round-up
All of the major Welsh sides failed to secure three points over the weekend as Newport and Swansea played teams bidding for promotion.
Wrexham rise to play-off position by completing comeback against West Bromwich Albion.
Cardiff’s own attempt for promotion seemed a lot more certain over a month ago but, following their draw to Peterborough, concern begins to grow.
Wrexham comeback from two goals down to take point against solid West Brom
Wrexham had a difficult test away from home on the weekend as they attempt to qualify for the playoffs this season. They played one of the leagues most in form teams in West Brom, who took eight points from a potential twelve in their last four games.
A misjudged Isaac Price free kick and converted Josh Maja penalty saw the visitors two goals down going into the second half.
Phil Parkinson’s men shifted momentum as the game restarted, with Josh Windass finishing off an effective team sequence early on, and George Dobson getting a subtle touch on Lewis O’Brien’s goalwards flick.
The game finished 2-2 and Wrexham secured the point that would take them into a play-off position, sitting just one point from Southampton who they play tonight.
Phil Parkinson said: “We were a bit passive in the first half if we’re honest. However, the first goal is a deflection, it’s a bit unlucky.
“The second one, if you give a penalty for that, you’re giving three or four penalties every game.
“We come in at 2-0 down and we ask the lads for character first of all, an improvement in our quality of our play and take our whole game up five to 10 yards up the pitch, and we did that brilliantly in the second half.”
Swansea share points with third place Middlesborough after thrilling draw
Arguably the most positive result over the weekend, Swansea and Middlesborough couldn’t be separated with two goals apiece in a back-and-forth contest.
Alex Bangura got the visitors ahead early at the Swansea.com stadium but two penalties from top-scorer Zan Vipotnik had the Swans 2-1 up heading into half-time.
Despite chances at either end in the second half, Tommy Conway’s effort was the difference as he levelled the score by finishing the third penalty of the game in the 75th minute.
Vitor Matos, Swansea manager, said: “With two games [over Easter] and all the internationals arriving last Thursday, you need first to be organised and compact and then you can put pressure and be effective.
“That’s what we tried and then when we had the ball we tried to use it to create some good chances. We needed to use counter-attacks and for that some players were really important. I think overall it was a good game.”
Cardiff’s momentum continues to slow in Peterborough draw
The clinical edge still manages to evade the Bluebirds for the most part as they could only produce the one goal against a mid-table Peterborough side who were in similar form.
Cardiff registered 15 shots with only a fifth of those finding the target in a goalless first half that continued Cardiff’s search for a goal in over two games.
Substitute Alex Robertson made the difference by netting a half-volley early in the second half. But the visitors failed to hold on to their lead for any amount of time as Harry Leonard equalised almost immediately.
With neither side able to finish their chances afterwards, Cardiff now find their automatic promotion position reduced to seven points with Bradford beneath them.
Bluebirds boss, Brian Barry-Murphy said: “We’re constantly working on our attacking play to create more clear-cut chances, in the wake of our recent performances where we’ve had really good domination with the ball but haven’t created enough chances for our liking.
“That element of our game was really good today, but the next bit is, obviously, to convert those chances.
“We had an incredible backing here today and once we scored I was very confident we would kick on and create and score more goals.
“Peterborough always have a danger because of their front players who can break and score, and we saw that with the chances they created on the counter-attack.”
Relegation-threatened Newport suffer loss to Notts County who ascend to third place
Christian Fuchs side’s attempt to stay in league football continues, but their loss to Notts County puts them just one point outside the relegation zone.
Notts County defender Lucas Ness put his side two goals up in the first half at Rodney Parade, as he headed home two corners in quick succession.
Newport responded in the 65th minute to half the deficit as a Harrison Biggins backheel beat keeper James Belshaw.
As the home side pushed for an equaliser, substitute Jayden Luker put the game out of sight with a strong strike in the 86th minute, and the Magpies’ third of the afternoon.
Newport have a crucial game against bottom of the table Harrogate town this weekend.
County boss Christian Fuchs said: “The boys had a good reaction in the second half and played with a lot of intensity, desire and heart,
“They left it all out there and that’s the way forward.
“The boys know they still have it in their own hands,”
The spirit in the second half showed what they are capable of doing, and that’s what we need to continue.
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