Wrexham 2-0 Reading: Player Ratings

Jack Stevens: 6

Despite being beaten twice, I don’t think there was a huge amount he could’ve done about either. If anything he helped keep it to just two with a few smart stops, including having to react sharply to two Wrexham corners that looked destined to go straight in.

Had a bit of a rush of blood late on when he sprinted out of his goal for a ball over the top which he was never going to get – he was rounded by Hardie but fortunately Jacob was on hand to spare his blushes.

Kelvin Abrefa: 6

He’ll be disappointed to have found himself as our cup right-back after starting the season as our first choice.

It was a collective switch off that led to Broadhead’s goal, but it was Abrefa’s heavy touch under little pressure that gave Wrexham the throw-in. Away from that though he did OK enough.

Michael Stickland: 4

The kid needs a loan move in my opinion.

He was rash and raw again tonight, flying into a few challenges and showing a bit of awkwardness in possession. Always felt nervous on the few occasions Wrexham found space and were able to run at him, and it was man against boy whenever Sam Smith decided to pin himself to Stickland.

To rub salts into the wounds, he was also beaten to the punch by Broadhead for his second goal.

Matty Jacob: 7

Signed as a left-back, we’ve now seen him play across the entire back four. Filling in at centre-back tonight, on paper it looked like he was in for a tough evening, but he did more than well enough and was the more assured out of himself and Stickland.

Made a mess of trying to clear Wrexham’s second goal, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt as I think the ball had already crossed the line and he popped up with the aforementioned last-ditch block to save Hardie adding a third late on.

Andre Garcia: 6

50 appearances is no mean feat for Garcia to achieve so early on in his career, but unfortunately it was ended just before the interval as he was forced off with an injury.

Before that he was part of a good battle down his side with Ryan Barnett, the hosts’ right-wing-back, with Barnett more often than not the aggressor. Showed composure whenever he was on the ball as ever.

Charlie Savage: 6

A new position for him in the double pivot, or at least one he hasn’t played since the harrowed 4-2-2-2 days.

More than played his part in a really good first-half showing, playing some nice passes and being his usual hustling and harrying self. Couldn’t replicate it in the second half though.

Ben Elliott: 6

Wing aside, he’s our only midfielder with the ability to play with a touch of calmness and elegance on the ball, which makes him a really nice option to have in the double pivot.

Started the game well, playing a couple of really incisive passes through the lines. But, and this will be a recurring theme for these ratings, faded as the game went on and got nowhere near as much joy in the second half.

Daniel Kyerewaa: 5

He put in the same kind of performance he’s been doing for the last few weeks now: sporadic moments of promise, rather than a constant thorn in the opposition’s side.

I think he’s just that kind of player, or at least he is at this stage of his career. Wrexham’s back five meant he had little opportunity to show his lightning pace, and he couldn’t find a way to work himself into the game outside of that.

Kamari Doyle: 7

Looks a natural fit for that number 10 position as he finds pockets of space really nicely and has the ability to turn and drive at defenders, which he did with poise and purpose on numerous occasions in the first half. He also went close with an effort that cannoned off the post.

But as soon as Doyle started to drift out of the game, so did the majority of our attacking promise.

If Hunt chooses to stick with the 4-2-3-1, then Doyle is a shoe-in for that number 10 spot, but we need to see his quality for a more prolonged period than we did tonight.

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 5

Saw a shot saved after he wriggled some room in the box early on and found himself in a couple other promising positions, particularly in the first half.

Seemed to have two or three red shirts around him as soon as he got the ball though, and struggled to really threaten because of that.

Mark O’Mahony: 5

Started the game looking moodier and greedier, which I thought was a good sign. He had a header loop onto the roof of the net, and went close with a snapshot on the edge of the box.

However, as was the case with pretty much the entire team, he just drifted out of the action as the game went on. Had a half chance to grab one back late on but saw his close range effort blocked.

Subs

John Ryan: 6

Naturally a more defensive-minded player than Garcia, who he replaced, and despite the hosts’ second coming from a cross down his side, Wrexham’s right-hand side was a lot less threatening when Ryan was on the pitch.

Lewis Wing: 5

A rarity to see the skipper feature in a League Cup game, but before he, or any of the other three in the second-half quadruple substitution could even get a touch of the ball, we were 2-0 down.

After that it’s always an uphill battle, no matter who’s on the pitch. Forced the ‘keeper into a save from a long-range free-kick – but not much other than that.

Paddy Lane: 6

Was probably the only second-half sub to come on and make any kind of impact. Sent in a teasing ball that was just out of the reach of O’Mahony before having an effort of his own pushed round the post.

Tivonge Rushesha and Liam Fraser: 5

Both came on at the same time as Wing and Lane, but get a joint rating as either did anything that well or that bad once entering the fray.

Average: 5.62/10

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