FC Halifax Town recorded a good victory over promotion chasing Wrexham. Goals from Scott Quigley and Devante Rodney ensured Town won the three points.
Town got the three points in their final home game of the season after beating Wrexham who had already confirmed their playoff spot. The result sees the Shaymen move up to 16th in the Vanarama National league with Wrexham dropping to 5th.
The game got off to a quick start as Town won the first corner of the game. Ryan Gondoh whipped it in, but Wrexham did well to clear. Nathan Clarke put it back into the box, but it was an easy catch for Rob Lainton.
Wrexham’s first real chance came in the 5th minute as Jason Oswell found Luke Summerfield. His pass was weak but won them a corner. The corner was whipped in by Luke Young but Matty Kosylo did well to clear.
Up against his former club Kevin Roberts faced a tough battle against Kosylo. Kosylo came out better the first time as he put it through the legs of his former captain. Roberts couldn’t do anything but concede a free kick. Joe Skarz pumped it into the box but Gondoh gave away a free kick for handling the ball.
Gondoh did well to beat two men on the right wing. He lost possession, but Town won a corner after a poor back pass. Gondoh took and found Matty Brown at the back post but Lainton did well to save.
Just before the half our mark and the Shaymen found the net. Former Wrexham striker Scott Quigley getting his second goal for Town. Good work from Kosylo found the striker in the box with plenty of time and space. He fired into the roof of the net leaving Lainton with no chance.
It took just 11 minutes for Wrexham to equalise. Young’s delivery from a corner was met in the middle and headed down to Chris Holroyd. Just two yards out there was no way he could miss as he blasted it past Johnson.
The second half got off in a very similar light. Town won a free kick after Roberts pushed Kosylo. Gondoh stepped up to take but Shaun Pearson got up well to clear.
Wrexham came close ten minutes later as Roberts won a free kick. Robert Grant swung it in but missed everyone as Town won a goal kick. Again, Wrexham came close as Roberts pumped the ball into the box. It found the head of James Jennings who connected well. Johnson pulled off a world-class save to claw it off the line and keep the scores level.
Next it was Town who thought they had pulled in front. Rodney showed great pace to get past Pearson. Rodney whipped it in, but Roberts just did enough to get it away as Duku lined up to head it home. Again, it was Roberts who saved Wrexham as a Duku cross was blocked from reaching Rodney who would have had a tap in.
Just eight minutes from time and Wrexham wasted another golden opportunity. Beavon made his way into the box and squared it to McGlashan but a last-ditch challenge from Skarz prevented him from getting the shot away.
Rodney gave Town the win just a minute into injury time. Clarke with a good pass to find Rodney. He cut inside and fired a low shot right into the bottom corner leaving Lainton no chance.
Wrexham had one final chance as a Grant free kick found Pearson in the middle. Pearson failed to get enough power on it and Johnson did well to hold it.
For the final game of the season the Shaymen travel to AFC Fylde. Fylde are currently 4th in the table with their lowest possible finish being 5th.
My man of the match: Sam Johnson
FCHT: 1 Sam Johnson, 4 Nathan Clarke, 5 Matty Brown ©, 7 Matty Kosylo, 8 Cameron King (Preston, 88), 18 James Berrett, 31 Niall Maher, 33 Ryan Gondoh, 35 Devante Rodney, 37 Scott Quigley (Duku, 36), 39 Joe Skarz
Subs: 21 Shaun Rowley, 6 Josh Staunton, 19 Jordan Preston,24 Harry Freedman, 34 Manny Duku
Wrexham: 18 Rob Lainton, 2 Kevin Roberts, 3 James Jennings, 5 Shaun Pearson ©, 6 Kieran Kennedy, 7 Luke Summerfield (Rutherford, 68), 8 Luke Young, 10 Chris Holroyd (McGlashan, 81), 12 Jason Oswell (Beavon, 68), 20 Akil Wright, 32 Robert Grant
Subs: 1 Christian Dibble, 13 Mark Carrington, 14 Paul Rutherford, 15 Jermaine McGlashan, 23 Stuart Beavon
Referee: Andrew Miller
Assistants: Matthew Sowerby and Elliott Heward
4th Official: Martin Parker
Goals: Quigley (29), Holroyd (40).
Yellow Cards: Roberts, Skarz
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 2577 (1196 away)
FC Halifax Town 2 Wrexham 1
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