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Our Welsh correspondent David Collins contemplates the early season fortunes of Newport County and Wrexham.
While readers will be aware of the high profile, high octane, regular clashes between Cardiff City and Swansea City, League Two also throws up a Welsh rivalry these days, as Newport County and Wrexham now occupy the same division for the first time in many years.
While Wrexham have been the subject of worldwide attention since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought them in November 2020, it is their somewhat less glamorous neighbours from the South, Newport County, who have been setting the early pace in this second battle for Welsh bragging rights.
County began their recent fixture away to Crawley Town in sixth position, with their North Wales rivals down in 13th though only a point below.
Unsurprisingly given their lofty position, boss Graham Coughlan made few changes for the trip to Sussex, with the inclusion of James Waite being the only alteration from the previous outing.
Star man Will Evans, who some think is worthy of inclusion in Robert Page’s Wales squad, started at no. 7 for County. Wrexham faced Doncaster Rovers at the STōK Cae Ras, previously known as the Racecourse.
Newport suffered a Sussex setback early doors though, as Nick Tsaroulla delighted the enthusiastic crowd behind Nick Townsend’s goal by firing crisply past the County keeper after only five minutes. The lead lasted only moments, as experienced County striker Omar Bogle smashed the visitors level. Two in two for the former Cardiff City man.
Bogle was having a fine game for County with Ronan Darcy also catching the eye for the Red Devils in a lively opening. Much needed drinks break on 25 minutes.
No such excitement up North though, with the two sides level halfway through the first half of an uneventful sounding encounter.
Paul Mullin sat on the Wrexham bench after a long injury lay off. Comparisons between last year’s Golden Boy of Welsh football and Evans of Newport occupied the minds of the travelling journalists down in Sussex.
A right-footed shot from Liam Kelly, which Townsend grabbed with confidence, was as near we came to more goals at Crawley as the lively early pace inevitably slackened in the heat. The seven added minutes would be gruelling!
In Wrexham, things had livened up though. Luke Young hit a left footed shot from the centre of the box into the corner of the net to give the home side the lead at half time.
Comparing the fortunes of the two Welsh clubs from my seat on the crowded press benches at the Broadfield Stadium made for an interesting half time break.
Wrexham of course enjoy the backing of USA stars; whist Newport boast more modest finances. We hear though that the County Board of Directors is in advanced negotiations with the two potential investor groups who are interested in making a significant investment in the Club in return for a majority shareholding.
10,254 were in attendance for Doncaster’s trip to Wrexham by the way, while the same side drew only 3,989 on their visit to Rodney Parade last month. The Wrexham dream shows no sign of fading.
Newport County have settled into life in League 2 in recent seasons though and are emerging into a steady outfit at this level. Wrexham are on something of a learning curve of course having enjoyed things much their own way in recent years. Sides like Doncaster Rovers will provide sterner tests – as evidenced by Rovers’ equalizer on 52 minutes.
Back down in West Sussex, it was Newport’s turn to experience a dip in fortunes. Adam Campbell restored the home side’s advantage on 54 minutes before curling in a splendid third goal for the Red Devils on 67 minutes. Bogle, on the other hand was denied a brace by the assistant referee’s flag. 2,949 in attendance at Crawley by the way, including 286 visiting fans.
As skipper Ben Gladwin made it 4-1 to Crawley, we began to wonder if County have the resources to play the sort of high tempo game favoured by Coughlan. The lads wilted in the heat.
“Resources” are unlikely to be a constraint for Wrexham on the other hand one feels, where a late winner from Elliott Lee could, for the time being at least, see the balance of power heading northwards.
Crawley Town 4: Newport County 1
Wrexham 2: Doncaster Rovers 1
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