Wrexham earn much needed win as ‘naive’ Cardiff end unbeaten run: Welsh football weekend round-up
On a poor weekend for the Welsh clubs in the English Football League, Wrexham emerged as the only victor, beating Norwich in a 3-2 thriller.
Cardiff City’s unbeaten run in League One came to an end after a 3-1 home defeat to Bradford City, while Swansea fell to a late Lyndon Dykes header at St Andrews, and Newport suffered a seventh loss in eight league games.
We round all that up and take a look at the latest goings on in the Cymru and Adran Premiers:
Josh Windass delivers second Wrexham win of the season
Wrexham earnt a hard-fought away victory at Norwich City on Saturday, with a Josh Windass brace either side of Ryan Longman’s strike sealing the victory.
The result has lifted Phil Parkinson’s side up to 15th in the Championship table, a timely boost for the under pressure boss.
“We pushed ourselves to the limit today to get that result,” said the Wrexham manager.
“The home game last week [against Queens Park Rangers], we were just too open. We weren’t at Millwall or Southampton but in the home game, certainly last week, we made it too easy for the opposition to play.”
Parkinson also gave praise to Windass, who proved to be the difference maker on his return after more than a month out with a hamstring injury.
“Josh was great with quality moments to win games but I’m just as pleased with his tactical understanding of the role he was given today. Josh’s work for the team out of possession was brilliant. That’s what we’ve been speaking to the lads about. We’ve got quality, but we’ve got to work to get the distances right between the units all over the pitch.”
Dykes header downs Swansea
Birmingham City had substitute Lyndon Dykes to thank as they leapfrogged Swansea in the Championship table after a 94th minute winner.
The game was better than the 1-0 scoreline suggests, with a number of chances for both sides failing to find the back of the net. Swansea will undoubtedly feel aggrieved after Zan Vipotnik’s goal was disallowed for offside despite the replay showing that he was in fact onside.
Deep into added time, Birmingham substitutes Dykes and Patrick Roberts combined to break the hearts of the travelling Welsh support.
“I’m not going to make it all about one decision, but I suppose in a game like this, when two teams are going after each other, I think you’ve got to get them right whatever the outcome is,” Swans boss Alan Sheehan said.
This defeat ends a seven-game unbeaten runs for the West Walian side, and is an added blow after the drama of last week’s EFL Cup victory over Nottingham Forest.
“We’ve had a week of downs and ups and another down, but that’s the way it is. The players gave absolutely everything,” Sheehan added.
“You’re coming to Birmingham, who are in in a good place at home, not lost in a long time, but I think we came here and we caused them some problems. Did we come away from what we were doing well in the first half? Potentially.”
With Swansea’s defeat and the Wrexham victory, the two sides are separated by just a point in the Championship table. Wrexham travel to the Swansea.com Stadium in December for the first Welsh derby of the season.
Cardiff lose unbeaten run and League One top spot
Bradford City ended Cardiff’s unbeaten start to the League One season in style, beating the Bluebirds 3-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium to replace the home side at the top of the table.
First half goals from Tommy Leigh and Antoni Sarcevic were added to by Josh Neufville soon after the interval to hand the Bantams a handsome victory.
Callum Robinson did pull one back as the hosts finished strongly, but – having missed chances earlier in the game – it was not enough to prevent a first defeat under head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.
“I think it’s naturally very disappointing when you lose a game that’s been billed as a top-of-the-table clash,” Barry-Murphy said.
“We had some really, really good chances close to the goal which were better than we had in the previous weeks and we just didn’t take them today. If you don’t take those chances in the game of this magnitude, you’re really reliant on being watertight at the back.
“And I think from front to back, we didn’t defend well enough today to give ourselves a chance to win the game.
“When Callum scored, there was a really good atmosphere and I was really keen to get another opportunity to enter the box and put Bradford a pressure and see if they could defend it. But we were quite naive and allowed Bradford take the sting out the game.”
Perhaps more concerning than the defeat, is the news that Ronan Kpakio will have a scan on a heel injury picked during the match.
“He had an issue with his heel which we get scanned tomorrow (Sunday) – I don’t know how serious or not it is, but it’s a slight concern for me,” Barry-Murphy added. “He doesn’t get injured a lot so I’m a little bit worried about that one.”
Newport continue winless run after Gillingham defeat
Newport County endured a nightmarish first half at Rodney Parade, eventually falling to a 3-1 home defeat to the top side in League Two, Gillingham.
Nathaniel Opoku put the Exiles into an early lead inside the first minute, before winning a penalty just eight minutes later. Cameron Antwi’s effort was saved by Gills ‘keeper Glenn Morris.
Morris’ save proved to be the turning point in the game, as Gillingham – who have now gone a club record 21 league games unbeaten – scored three before halftime to completely change the game.
After seven defeats in eight games, and the manner of this latest, County manager David Hughes asserted that he has no fear for his position.
“You always have pressure in every job. I have a real intent in what we try and do and how we try and do it,” he said.
“I don’t have any fear for my job. It’s precarious, it’s a difficult situation. I love working with the players and they’re an outstanding group, we’re trying to help them. We’ve said continuously we don’t feel they’re a million miles away, but that last step is a very big one to turn a performance into a victory.
“We’ll keep going and we’ll keep trying to prepare the players as well as we can, but I’m definitely not throwing the towel in.”
Penybont victory over Caernarfon tightens top of Cymru Premier table
A 2-1 away victory for Penybont over early table toppers Caernarfon saw the Bridgend-based side re-enter the title race alongside their opponents, and new front runners The New Saints.
TNS recorded a 3-1 victory over Cardiff Met, while Connah’s Quay recorded the same score at strugglers Haverfordwest County. Llanelli Town put a first point on the board at the eighth time of asking, earning a 0-0 draw with Colwyn Bay, who have drawn five of eight this season.
Elsewhere, there were draws for Bala Town and Briton Ferry (2-2) on Friday night, and Flint Town and Barry Town (0-0) on Saturday afternoon.
Derby delight for TNS against Wrexham
There were big scores galore across the Adran Premier last weekend, with TNS emerging victorious from a thrilling 4-2 derby with Wrexham.
Wrexham’s defeat opened the door for Cardiff to top the embryonic Adran table, as the capital club recorded a 5-0 victory at Barry Town. Elsewhere, Briton Ferry earnt a first win of the season in style, beating Pontypridd United 4-0 away from home.
In the final match of the weekend, Swansea beat Aberystwyth 2-0 to continue their 100% start to the season. With five of eight teams on six points, this season looks set to be a close one!
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