[commentator 1] The change from something, it'’s been a highly charged atmosphere.
[supporters chant] Wrexham! Wrexham! Wrexham!
- [commentator 2] Oh. - [commentator 1] Offside.
I think James McClean could be in trouble there.
I think he could be in real trouble.
Of course we encourage all our boys to be nice, well-behaved, polite fellows.
[commentator 1] I think it may end up being a booking for both of them.
But, you know, sometimes you pick up a yellow card.
- [whistle blows] - [Ker] A yellow card is a warning for a minor infraction
like, um, a reckless tackle, or-or time wasting,
or unsportsmanlike behavior.
[commentator 3] It was a daft lunge, I thought.
[commentator 4] Boyle is gonna get booked for dissent,
complaining on McClean'’s behalf.
[commentator 5] I'’m not surprised to see the yellow card there.
[Ker] A red card is given for more serious infractions
like dangerous play or foul and abusive language.
[commentator 6] Oh, but O'’Connor and Cannon get in each other'’s way,
and then Cannon takes Armstrong out.
That'’s got to be a card.
Yeah. It'’s a red.
[Ker] If a player is shown a red,
they are immediately dismissed from the game
and banned for at least the next game.
[commentator 7] Again, Cardiff back-- Playing dangerously at the back.
Hughes catches a player.
If a player receives a yellow card,
they merely receive a nominal fine.
But you have to be careful, because if you get two yellow cards,
that becomes a red, and you are then dismissed and miss the next game.
Last year, our disciplinary record was exemplary.
We actually received a Fair Play Award in the National League.
This season, not so much.
[commentator 8] Oh, yeah. It'’s a red.
Barnett'’s sent off.
[Ker] Even Phil has received his fair share of yellow cards.
What? It'’s an absolute joke. It'’s too late.
[referee] Appreciate that one.
[referee] You need to leave him alone.
Can I just say something, ref?
- You know-- - Yeah, you need to.
But no one has done it with quite as much panache
as one of our new players: Jimmy McClean.
[commentator 9] Oh-- Robs McClean, who rugby tackles him.
[Ker] James plays, uh, with his whole heart.
He'’s a fantastic player and a wonderful person,
but he is a trifle forthright, shall we say.
[commentator 10] A yellow card for McClean. He'’s been booked.
[commentator 11] Getting a yellow card, I suspect.
[commentator 12] I thought he played the ball.
[commentator 13] It'’s a yellow for both.
[commentator 14] O'’Connor's booked as well.
[commentator 15] McClean ends up
shoving his man to the ground.
[Ker] There'’s one more yellow card rule
you should probably know about.
[commentator 16] Should he book him?
He is gonna book him, because he'’s continued to argue,
- and that'’s-- - That'’s stupid.
[Ker] If a player accrues
ten yellow cards over the course of 32 fixtures,
they then get an additional two-game suspension,
which is coming at a pretty crucial time in our season.
[commentator 17] And that'’s a suspension, isn'’t it?
- Jimmy, you silly cunt. - Stupid fucking idiot!
[Ker] If you wanna secure automatic promotion,
you'’ve gotta hold on to third place or above.
And, uh, we'’ve got a very important game coming up.
[commentator] McClean will pick up a two-game suspension.
He'’ll miss the Tranmere derby.
Well, that'’s a shame.
♪ Don'’t forget Where you came from ♪
♪ Don'’t forget What you'’re made of ♪
♪ The ones who were there ♪
♪ When no one else would care ♪
♪ Don'’t be afraid to cry now ♪
♪ Even when the world Comes crashing in ♪
♪ Don'’t forget To sing when you win ♪
[chanting] Wrexham! Wrexham!
[McElhenney] Remember when we didn'’t show you that one game?
And then we didn'’t show it to you again?
- What the hell was that? - What was that?
Yeah. Really sorry about that. We thought there were other things you should see first.
But now it'’s finally time to show you Wrexham versus Tranmere Rovers.
So it'’s the game against Tranmere today, which is big game derby day.
But not quite yet.
First, we'’re going to explain what a derby is.
So the definition of a derby is a long-standing rivalry between two teams.
And it is derby day.
It is Newcastle taking on Sunderland
at Saint James'’s Park.
[Ker] It'’s often based on proximity
or competition over the years.
[fans sing] ♪ Every Gunner'’s a runner ♪
And our ones this season have been good.
[commentator] It was a proper derby.
Newport fought like hell.
[Ker] Newport County, which is kind of a Welsh derby,
or a game like this with Tranmere.
Now, this is, uh-- This is a real derby.
Um, because they live near us, we live near them.
And they hate us...
You can shove your fucking lefty!
...and, frankly, we hate them too.
[Aspinall] Silver to spotter one.
[on radio] Yeah. Spotter one, Silver.
What have you got there, mate?
[Evans] You'’ve got two trains coming in now.
One on platform four from Bidston.
One on platform one from Chester.
Both expected to be really busy.
Got a train arriving with, um, potential, um, risk fans on it
with bottles and having drunk quite a lot.
So, uh, I'’m currently at Wrexham General Train Station.
We designate matches based on low, medium and high
in relation to policing the event.
Tranmere!
[Keene] Uh, this has been designated a high-risk match.
Uh, it'’s technically a derby match that'’s taking place,
so the number of fans attending will be very high.
[fans sing] ♪ ...up your ass ♪
[Aspinall] They have had some disorder and antisocial behavior
between the two teams previously.
Um, so that'’s what makes this high-risk.
♪ Wrexham is the name ♪
The chances of there being trouble between our fans is high.
And when I say trouble, I mean proper trouble.
[indistinct arguing]
[sighs]
♪ Tranmere boys We'’re on a bender ♪
♪ Ryan Reynolds Is a sex offender!♪
Up the fucking Tranmere! Super White Army!
[officer] Get away, now! Move it, now!
Move away!
So you'’ve got a group of problematic individuals here. A bit of a pinch point.
So you'’ve got Wrexham risk fans here. You can see them gesturing, et cetera.
So you'’ve got a line of officers here to prevent these going this way.
Please, Tranmere down that way.
Had there been no police there, you'’d have had a really bad disorder.
You, police, come on!
Yes!
Come on!
- Hi, Mannie. - Morning, morning.
- How are you today? Good. - I'’m good.
- How can I help you today? - If I can get the drum.
I'’m Mannie Thomas. I'’m 17 years of age.
- There she is. - Do you know, it'’s heavy.
Yeah. You wouldn'’t think a little thing like this, would you?
And I play the drum at the Wrexham games
as part of the Wrexham'’s 12th Man fan group.
[chanting] We'’re going up as fucking champions!
When it was my first ever game on it-- You know, I was about 12.
The drum was bigger than me.
I used to, uh, watch other fans on YouTube.
Have a little practice.
Uh, get a pillow in my hands and just--
Yeah, just have a little play around with that.
And, uh, I just got better at it.
Wrexham, Wrexham...
The feeling when drumming-- You'’re conducting the crowd.
You'’re the one who's getting the crowd upbeat for the team,
helping them to just give '’em that little extra push.
It is a thrill.
I like to think that I am a die-hard fan,
because this club, it is--
It does mean something to me. A lot. Really, it does.
We try to make the atmosphere as tense as possible.
We try to make the other team fear what Wrexham is
as a town and in that stadium.
[commentator] Welcome to an intriguing derby match.
Wrexham going for the title against Tranmere Rovers,
who just did Wrexham a favor on Tuesday,
beating Mansfield Town, the league leaders.
But that shows how dangerous they are.
[chanting]
[Ker] Although Tranmere
are not in the running for top three,
they would like nothing more than to spoil that for us.
Every three points could be the difference between promotion and playoffs.
Go on, Wrexham!
- [Parkinson] Fuckin'’ hell! - [commentator] Good defensive work on the cover.
Long ball forwards. Fletcher can'’t reach it.
Ball intercepted by Young as well.
Wins it back. Finds Fletcher, edge of the area.
Cute back heel to Mullin.
Helps it on. Mendy in plenty of space on the left.
Cuts on his right foot. Dinks to the far post.
Will it be kept in? Barnett keeps it alive, and Young heads it.
Good block. Six yards out.
It was a good contact, that. Good stuff.
And Jennings goes for what looks to be a beautiful pass.
Cannon'’s got to be solid here. And he isn'’t!
Shot comes in!
And Tranmere lead!
- What the hell was that? - What was that?
Error by Cannon. The bench are up, going crazy.
So Wrexham fall behind early on at the Racecourse.
[chanting] Wrexham! Wrexham! Wrexham! Wrexham!
[commentator] Three-man wall now for Wrexham.
It'’s wide to the goal,
but it'’s a shooting position perhaps.
It'’s crossed in instead, and headed on towards goal.
Off the line brilliantly by Cannon.
Wow!
So, Young corner, left-hand side.
Blatant shove on Lee by the keeper, who then--
Lee pushes his man over. Is it Yarney?
Oh, there'’s a bit of afters there. Fletcher gets pushed away.
It'’s a proper derby.
It'’s a real scrap, isn't it?
Finds Barnett on the goal line.
Crosses to the far post.
Fletcher'’s blocked off and is complaining about a foul.
[Parkin] How can you not fucking see that?
Fletcher'’s looking to head it in the net. It'’s a fucking joke.
Ref, you know on crosses,
are you allowed to just grab somebody to stop them heading the ball?
- I just need to know the rules. - [referee] You know...
[Parkinson] What? Not even looking at the fucking ball.
[Parkin] For fuck'’s sake.
- [referee] I'’m not shouting... - No, I'’m calm.
...so if you wanna have a conversation, we can have one...
[Parkinson] I thought you'’ve been fucking-- Played some unbelievable stuff.
Keep doing what you'’re doing.
All we need to do is play with intensity
but turn down the franticness
a little bit.
Maintain the speed in your play,
but let'’s have a little bit more composure.
For the moment, we'’re just a little bit too wired up.
I understand it. Ignore the ref. Just keep playing.
[commentator] The teams are out for the second half.
[chanting] Wrexham! Wrexham!
Wrexham!
[commentator] Now three-on-three.
Mullin running at the defense,
the two strikers split.
He finds Dalby on the left.
Mullin nudges Walker out the way and runs in the box.
Dalby rips a cross to the far post.
And Wrexham continue to knock at the door without creating the chances.
- Come on! - [commentator] Midfield, Bolton.
Good positive first touch. Good ball to Lee, in space, 25 yards out on his right foot.
Takes a deflection!
No! No, no, no, no!
Wrexham will need an absolute miracle as they'’ve given it away oddly here.
- Puts it out... - [whistle blows]
...trying to knock it off a defender.
There'’s the final whistle anyway.
Tranmere win at Wrexham.
And, well, Wrexham fans-- Some of them booing.
It'’s got to be said,
we just didn'’t, uh, have enough quality up front.
[commentator 2] It'’s kicking off down there at the moment.
[commentator 1] Right. Real trouble on the edge of the box.
[Parkin] Hey, fuck off! Fuck off!
- [Parkin] Hey, fuck off! Get him away! - Fight.
[commentator] Palmer seems to be in the heart of that.
[Parkinson] Hey. Hey! Get him away. Get him away.
[Mullin] I think after the game,
they decided to celebrate like they'’d won the league,
when I think they were in about 17th in the league,
which is quite mental.
They had a little discussion, and it was all done,
but it also shows what it means to teams like that to be-- to beat us.
[reporter] There was a bit of a brawl
on the pitch in the end after the final whistle.
Are you able to shed any light on what happened?
No, I'’d gone down the tunnel, so I don'’t know.
Obviously, with a local derby, it'’s something you don'’t wanna happen,
but emotions were running high.
- Hey. Hey, hey, hey. - Come on.
[podcast host] Okay. So we somehow lost to Tranmere Rovers,
but at least we'’re still hanging on to third place
because MK Dons beat Crewe Alexandra.
[Edwards] I'’ve been quite calm recently about defeats and stuff like that,
but there was just something about the one yesterday
which just left a bad taste in the mouth.
[host] Tim, do you think we missed McClean?
Do you think we missed that sort of drive?
[Edwards] Yeah. Um...
I just think he brings an element of cunningness and guile
and shithousery that maybe the others--
not lack, but he'’s just an expert at it. He'’s just next-level.
- Who are you? - James McClean.
James McClean is an iconic figure.
[commentator] Sweeps it into the near post. Headed in!
Wrexham take a deserved lead! And it'’s James McClean.
When his name was first mentioned to me, my eyebrows shot up.
That a player like that would be interested in coming to us--
Had an unbelievable career in the Premier League
with Stoke and Sunderland and Wigan.
And he was Wigan'’s Player of the Season last season.
[Parkinson] James McClean.
He'’s stayed at the top of his game and he'’s been phenomenal for us.
[supporters booing]
The first thing the club needed to do was know
what we were getting into when we signed James.
His signing will be controversial in some people'’s mind.
[chanting] Wanker. Wanker. Wanker.
[reporter] Footballer James McClean has received death threats
for his decision not to wear a poppy on his shirt.
The automatic indicator of a person'’s political view
was whether they wore a poppy or whether they didn'’t.
And the poppy identified you
as somebody who believed in supporting the British Army.
It is a way of supporting veterans
in many working-class communities in England.
There would be the memories of soldiers who were killed.
But it has a completely different meaning
in Northern Ireland.
[Gorman] In Derry, wearing the poppy identified you
as someone who supported the actions of the British Army.
[reporter] He refused to acknowledge the English national anthem before a game.
If he doesn'’t like what England stands for, why go to play in England?
If he has principles, stand by your principles by all means.
You'’ve moved to a few clubs.
- You'’re still getting the abuse. - [McClean] Yep.
[Kielty] Where'’s your head in all of that?
[Erin McClean] He'’s two different people.
He'’s what the people think of him
and what he actually is.
At home, he'’s so--
Literally, doesn'’t go anywhere.
He goes between here and the gym out in the garage,
and back in here, watches football.
He'’s very boring, isn't he?
- Daddy? - Mmm.
Mmm. Yeah. [laughs]
[commentator] James Mc-- Yeah!
McClean!
[Clair] When you get to that line, open up.
We'’re just about to go into phase two.
We'’ve got a semifinal first before that, though.
So it'’s really important that the girls are here.
They'’re training hard. They'’re working hard.
The way Genero Adran Premier League works is there'’s eight teams.
We'’ll all play each other, home and away, for the first half of the season.
Then the league splits.
Top four then obviously play to try and win the league.
Bottom four, obviously, trying to stay up and avoid relegation.
We knew that we were gonna be in for a tough battle this season.
This particular league is much more physical.
The game is much quicker, so we'’ve had to really adapt to that.
[commentator] ...to just get around the side. That'’s brilliant work.
We did need to recruit, and we needed to make the team a little bit stronger.
[commentator] ...gives ball to Carra Jones. Great chance, left foot!
1-nil to Wrexham!
[Owen] Carra Jones, a very tricky winger that'’s gonna contribute lots of goals
alongside Rosie, who'’s a real goal threat.
[commentator] Delivers to Suckley!
Ah, yes. 3-nil. Wow.
Ava Suckley.
She'’s 21 years old,
plays at a very high level at such a young age already.
[commentator] That'’s a great first touch by Allen to open things up.
[Owen] Keren Allen.
She is very, very ferocious out on the pitch.
She is our new captain. Very, very pleased to have her with us.
She'’s brought a whole new dynamic to the squad.
[Allen] I'’m very physical.
Always like a good battle.
Whatever you need me to do, um, I'’ll do it.
[commentator] Sight on goal. One-on-one. Can she finish?
Oh, yes, she can!
[Allen] Coming into the Welsh Prem, everyone was like,
"Oh, they'’ll probably get relegated. They'’ll be sitting near the bottom."
[commentator 1] Jones wins it back. Hughes, that'’s a nice-- Great idea!
- [commentator 2] What a goal. - [Allen] But now I'’m thinking, like, top four.
I think we can do it.
- Yes! Yes! - Yeah!
- Yes! - Yes!
[Owen] This weekend, it'’s a huge match against Aberystwyth.
Competing with them to get into that top four position.
So, yeah, it'’s key for us to come out on top against Aberystwyth.
[commentator] Welcome to the Rock,
the women'’s team here at home to Aberystwyth Town.
If we do draw or win this match,
Wrexham will have guaranteed their place in the top four end-of-season playoff.
[Dale] We cannot start flat today.
Let'’s make sure that when we get chances, let'’s be ruthless.
At first, I wouldn'’t have said that there was pressure when we first started in the league,
because I don'’t think people expected us to be where we are.
I guess there'’s pressure now.
Making the top four
is vitally important to our entire season.
Come on, Wrexham!
- [whistle blows] - [commentator] And away we go.
Immediately Scourfield stands it up.
Carra Jones on the right. Lightfoot on the left.
That'’s a good flick on.
Sharp won'’t get there. Ooh!
That was a chance. A big chance.
[Dale] We knew that it would be a physical game.
[commentator] Ah, typical tackle by Davies. That'’s brilliant.
Probably not going to be the most prettiest games to watch.
- Come on, come on! - Rosie Hughes will chase after this.
Shove in the back by Hughes.
Allen loves to drive forwards in these positions and does so,
and goes past Duggan easily.
Nicely played. Now, space here.
Jones...
Oh, it hit the post.
Hughes unmarked on the edge of the area
if Lightfoot can pull it back, and she can.
Hughes, right-footed.
Another chance!
Oh! Puts it wide!
Wrexham have had more of the game,
but there'’s no question Aberystwyth have asked a lot of questions.
[Dale] Yeah. Listen, I don'’t think we're playing bad.
We'’ve created some good chances.
We'’ve just gotta be a little bit more ruthless now.
A little bit more creative in the final third.
[commentator] Here we go. Wrexham kicking off the second half.
Rosie Hughes on the ball.
[Dale] Come on, then! Next one!
[commentator] Isaac delivers a great ball in!
Big save, that!
Don'’t matter, doesn'’t come forward! Come on. Press, press.
[Dale] Aberystwyth will eventually wear you down and break you down
because of the way that they play.
[commentator] Pritchard fighting away with Moralee-Hughes.
- Are you fucking joking? - Ref, how?
- How? - Hey!
[commentator] Is that a foul? Ref says not.
He'’s gonna cause an injury, him.
The Aberystwyth game was really intense.
[commentator] Scourfield-- there we are-- wins the ball back.
Had her shirt pulled too.
Quite a scrappy game of football.
I feel like it was a bit of a game of ping-pong at times,
going end to end.
Be aggressive, be aggressive. Good.
[commentator] Pritchard'’s in support.
Suckley does well to hold off Scourfield.
Looking for Pritchard!
Couldn'’t quite get there. Unlucky.
Set it-- Lil, Lil, Lil. Lil.
Lili Jones will deliver.
It'’s a decent shot towards goal.
It'’s in!
[cheering]
Carra Jones scores!
Wrexham strike from a set piece.
And Wrexham take the lead. Carra Jones.
Wrexham, with two games to spare,
have got through to the second phase of the season in the top half.
[Dale] Their character was tested that day.
To be fair to the girls, they stood up to it.
[commentator] A big win for Wrexham. An historic win for Wrexham.
[Owen] It'’s hugely significant. It'’s making a statement to the league.
It'’s making a statement to the supporters and to other clubs
that we'’re not here to mess around.
Initially, the expectation was top four.
But now I'’m thinking, like, top two.
Like, I do-- I wanna get top two.
[Dale] Winning today is a massive step. Yeah.
We'’re minimum third now, okay?
Really important now that we don'’t take our foot off the gas.
But what a fucking start we'’ve made.
- Fantastic. Well done, everyone. - Well done, girls.
Well done, all of ya.
Fantastic. Lovely. Thank you.
Thank you.
What'’s our team, Dad?
We'’ve got James McClean back from suspension,
which is handy '’cause, uh, Jacob Mendy got a slight injury last week.
And the rest is the same, and we'’ve just gotta pick the bench
because George Evans is back from a long injury, which is great for us.
He can cover a lot of positions, can'’t he?
Yeah, he can play at the back, he can play across the midfield,
so he'’s a great player to have him back in the squad.
It'’s always a big game, but it'’s lovely that we'’ve got everyone together.
It'’s not very often we'’re all here, to be honest.
Is it? [chuckles] I can'’t remember last time. Was it Christmas?
Yeah. A while ago.
- Yeah. - [Abby] Yeah, I saw you at Christmas.
- Yeah. - Did you watch the Tranmere game?
- [Abby] I was flying, but I watched the first half. - You were flying? Yeah.
- I was there. I was there. - You were there.
- Loyal supporter, always there. - I was there.
Mansfield are kind of
an attack-minded team,
but they'’ll leave space for us as well.
Where other teams we'’ve played recently have gone, right, just sit off the ball,
let us have the ball, and try and soak up pressure.
- These won'’t do that. - [George] But the problem we'’ve had
against teams that sit back, they'’ve had against Colchester.
So they'’ll be saying exactly the same thing,
'’cause they've scored the most goals.
- [Parkinson] Yeah, that'’s it. - So--
It'’ll be two teams going full out to win,
um, which is what it'’s all about, so...
Looking forward to a good day today, aren'’t we?
- We are. - Yeah.
The result determines the weekend, as everyone knows well.
- Go, Red! - Whoo!
- Go Wrexham! - Yeah, baby!
So at this point of the season, it appears
that there are four teams vying for the three promotion spots.
Barring a late surge by any other spoilers.
Mansfield, who are currently in first place.
MK Dons,
who, as you remember, were
a real pain in the bottom in the first game of the season.
Stockport continue to impress.
[commentator] Oh, what a goal that is! Callum Camps!
Twelve in a row for Stockport County.
[Ker] In fact, earlier this season, they tied for the longest winning streak
in League Two history, winning 12 games in a row.
Thinking about and talking about Stockport being the last game of the season,
I can feel two sties making their way up and into my eyelids.
Yeah.
I think I can skip the sty
and just go right for good old-fashioned 1950s sort of stress.
- Just straight to the chest. Yeah. - Not a bad way to go.
[Ker] Today, it'’s Mansfield who come to the Racecourse
desperate to take home three points for themselves.
If we lose this game, there'’s a real danger
we'’ll fall into fourth place behind MK Dons.
[Mansfield fans] ♪ Everywhere we go ♪
♪ Watching super Mansfield ♪
♪ Putting on a show ♪
[Parkinson] Mansfield are the toughest side I'’ve seen us play this season.
I think the Friday game
is almost this season'’s Notts County blockbuster from last year.
I think it'’s got that feel about it.
So, it'’s Mansfield versus Wrexham. It'’s at Wrexham.
It'’s a big game for both clubs.
We need to keep winning to stay top.
Wrexham need to win to stay in top three, like we do.
So it'’s both sides, and it'’s gonna be last man standing out there today.
- Come on! - Come on!
- Do you think we'’re going up? - Yeah.
- Do you think Wrexham are going up? No. - No.
[commentator 1] Who else is excited for this one?
Time to shine, Red Army.
- Cae Ras will be deafening. - [commentator 2] Yeah.
It doesn'’t get much bigger than this, does it now?
- It certainly doesn'’t. - So much to fight for up and down the tables.
♪ ...mighty army, Wrexham... ♪
[commentator 1] James McClean is back
after a two-game suspension.
It'’s good to have his experience and physicality on the pitch
for this high-stakes, top-of-the-table battle.
Fasten your seat belts.
This is going to be interesting.
So here we go.
Come on, Wrexham!
Feeds it wide to Bowery. There'’s a chance to take on Bolton.
Instead he works it wide. Back to Bowery.
He'’s got options in the middle if he wants to use them.
Instead, Keillor-Dunn loves to just string things together,
but he'’s forced to play it back to his own half by the energy of Cannon.
And McClean with a hard tackle on Hewitt.
Now, then, what does the ref do there?
Both stay down, but Hewitt really took a heavy whack there from McClean.
And what'’s the referee's view of this gonna be?
Flint is right in his face.
- What was your view of it, guys? - I don'’t know.
I thought he was going for the ball fairly.
And it is a yellow.
[Ker] And with that, the yellow card tally starts once again for Mr. McClean.
Are you booking him as well?
[commentator 2] But McClean'’s gotta be careful now.
He'’s got to play a full game with a yellow card.
[commentator 1] And Lee continues his good run.
Taking on Flint and Bowery, and he'’s pushed in the back.
Flint'’s in the box. Flint is barged by Mullin.
Ref gives a foul against him.
Fuckin'’ hell. This is a free-for-all here.
Akins has a poor touch.
And he'’s taken Bolton out late.
What about that? What about that?
- [whistle blows] - And the referee blows--
Flint punches the ball out of Palmer'’s hands.
And Mansfield are taking the game to us and putting plenty of pressure on.
- He'’s fouled on a shooting possession. - [whistle blows]
- [commentator 2] Has to be a yellow card. - It will be yellow.
That'’s silly from Clarke.
Hey! Fucking hallelujah.
- [commentator 1] It'’s a bit feisty, innit? - [commentator 2] Yeah, it is.
It'’s exactly what you want at a big game like this.
[commentator 1] Cannon-- But nobody is ahead of him, so he pokes it wide.
Look at the pace of Bolton.
Bowery blocks him off, but that'’s poor play by him.
Bolton shrugs him off,
and now he can play a cross in.
At the far post, Lee'’s unmarked! It jumps behind him!
Overhead kick...
It'’s on target but lacks power.
Come on, team! Let'’s go! Come on!
Now, here'’s Max Cleworth coming forwards,
sliding it beautifully around the back of the defense.
Cannon has four players attacking the box.
He finds Mullin...
Yes! Yes!
Yeah! Get in there!
Paul Mullin strikes!
Brilliant play from Wrexham!
A glorious defense-splitting pass.
Cannon with an outstanding pull back.
Defender missed it at the near post, and Mullin slots it home.
Ninety-eight and counting.
As we restart for the second half of this blockbuster,
Wrexham leading at the break, he'’s gonna put pressure on.
Akins, who'’s dropped into the back it looks like.
Brilliant work by Mullin who tackles, and Wrexham come forwards again.
Ball ricochets loose. Brilliant touch by Lee. Cannon running at his man.
McLaughlin slips, and Cannon manages to force it on to Bolton.
And he'’s taken out! Is that a penalty?
Referee blows his whistle.
- And points! - [cheering]
Flint took out Bolton.
[commentator 2] That was very clumsy, wasn'’t it?
[commentator 1] Nonetheless, Wrexham have got a penalty,
and Mullin will take it.
Mullin makes his way back to the edge of the area.
Pym on his toes.
Mullin waits for quiet.
Steps up...
scores!
Ninety-nine Red goals for Mullin!
Drilled it into the roof of the net!
Pym!
Mullin'’s completely shaken off that rough spell he was going through.
[chanting] Wrexham!
And that is how you turn up for a big game.
[Ker] That was a massive victory for Wrexham,
but we'’ve still got six games to go.
Yeah, Mullin!
- Come on! - Up the town!
Come on, the town!
It'’s a hard-earned victory.
We didn'’t get too down when we lost to Tranmere.
- Wankers. - [Parkinson] So we'’re not gonna get too high after today.
♪ Everywhere we go ♪
And now it'’s about preparation
for what will be a terrific game at Doncaster on Tuesday.
Right. That today is a massive game, mate.
That is-- That is top-three deciding game.
[Parkinson] But listen, we'’ll go there and take the spirit.
And, you know, the Wrexham Army will be right behind us.
And, you know, looking forward to it already.
- [Brimmer] How have you been? - [McElhenney] Great.
- Look at all this. There'’s working going on in here. - You know what?
- Gotta pay the bills. - Shall we have a seat?
- Let'’s do it. Let'’s do it. - Sit down?
So, tell me about why you'’re interested in Wrexham AFC.
You know, we'’ve been really focused at Ally
on, um, trying to create equity
between the men'’s and women'’s sports landscape.
[McElhenney] We have been so impressed by the way
that the women'’s team have performed in the Adran Premier this season.
And, apparently, we'’re not the only ones.
The kind folks at Ally Bank have generously offered to partner with us
to give our women'’s team a little boost.
Well, I mean, you look at what'’s happening in women'’s sports right now.
It'’s been incredible.
This is the ratings monster. Right here.
[American analyst 1] At least two of the games were the most watched
women'’s basketball games ever.
More viewers even than last year'’s World Series or NBA finals.
[American analyst 2] It'’s a record setter for women'’s sports.
Ninety-two thousand-and-three people there to see volleyball.
[Vicky Gomersall] What does that record crowd tell us about the trajectory,
do you think, of the women'’s game at the moment?
Only going one way, and that is up.
A big surprise that we might have for the women'’s team?
Well, I can'’t tell you because it'’s a surprise.
[Dale] Good.
[Owen] Now you can break.
Sorry.
[Owen] We'’ve got something to tell the girls today.
You know, it'’s something very exciting for us.
There you go. Not too far. You'’re-- You're good there.
Good. Good, good, good.
Right. Okay.
Um, the reason why
we'’ve brought you here after training
is because we'’ve got a massive, really exciting thing to let you know.
We are going to America in the summer.
- [whooping] - [Owen] So...
[laughter]
- Oh, my gosh. - You excited?
Next question. Would you say that your reckless spending
has led us to the point of needing an ally like Ally?
- My reckless spending? - Yes, Mr. Let'’s-Send-Everyone-To-Vegas.
No, I think it means that with Ally'’s help, we'’re able to make history
by bringing the Wrexham women'’s team to the US this summer,
which is both exciting and economically responsible.
Mr. Let'’s-Do-A-Show.
"It won'’t cost you a thing.
- Not a dime." - Okay. Thank you to Ally.
Thank you to Ally. No further questions.
[Reynolds] Mr. No-Further-Questions has no further questions.
Yeah. How exciting? Right?
United Airlines?
Can you imagine?
[laughing]
Are we flying first class?
[Owen] We'’ve never played outside of Wales before.
So yeah, it'’s a really, really, really big thing for us.
[Jones] It was mad. I don'’t think anyone really knew what to say.
Going out to America to play in a Wrexham shirt
is what dreams are made of, really.
- Get your flip-flops ready, girls. We'’re going. - [laughing]
We are treating this, and it is-- It is our part of our preseason.
So there'’ll be games out there that will give us a real test.
Playing against US teams, I think it'’s going to be tough,
but, you know, you'’re not gonna get any better
unless you play against the good teams.
So, yeah, I'’m looking forward to it.
You'’ve massively earned this.
We'’ve still got a long way to go, obviously,
but let'’s go and make sure that we go out to the States
on the back of our best ever finish that we can possibly imagine.
Hopefully, that'’ll be top. Why not?
Really important that we focus now.
Stay driven, stay hungry to the end of the season.
And achieve what we want to achieve,
and then we'’ll enjoy it when it comes round.
[murmuring, laughing]
Let'’s go.
[podcast host] So, it'’s been a bit up and down for Wrexham of late.
Yeah, we lost against Tranmere,
but we had a really good win against Mansfield,
who are fighting for the title.
Now we'’re on the road again.
[podcast host 2] Yeah, in form, Doncaster lying 15th place
despite spending most of the season in relegation territory.
- Hi, folks. - Some will say it'’s an easy three points for the Reds,
but they have to tread with caution before turning their sights
on the last real threat of the season, Stockport County.
[commentator] Good evening from the Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster.
As Wrexham look to bolster their promotion hopes.
So much to play for for both teams this evening.
And that'’s what makes the old cliché of,
"Every game'’s a cup tie towards the end of the season."
Long ball into the channel. It'’s gonna run beyond Palmer.
Paul Mullin'’s carried on into the penalty area. Here'’s Mullin.
Hooks it back. Had little support. It'’s forced behind Cannon to Lee.
Bolton outside the area. Paul Mullin trying to get outside on the right-hand side.
Does so, but it'’s not the best pass by Bolton.
[Parkin] Fucking hell.
[commentator] Lee goes deep
to the back post instead.
Will Boyle heads it back across.
Can Palmer get there? He can'’t. It'’s just dropped wide.
- Got to score. - Wrexham! Wrexham!
We'’ve got to fucking score.
[chanting] Wrexham! Wrexham! Wrexham!
Allowing play to continue. Mullin to Lee.
James McClean.
It'’s behind Paul Mullin. Intercepted again.
Fucking hell.
[Parkinson] What are we fucking doing here?
[commentator] Now Cannon over the top, but Palmer'’s stopped his run.
Go all the way. Go all the way!
Just don'’t give it up.
Adelakun. Up against Bolton again.
Onto his right foot. Low cross. Nice. Good play.
Maxwell.
Left-footed cross. Deep this time.
Over Will Boyle.
- [cheering] - It'’s gone in off the post!
Fucking hell!
And he couldn'’t have placed that header anymore perfectly.
Arthur Okonkwo had no chance
as it hits the foot of the post, right on the stroke of halftime.
[Parkinson] Too many sloppy, cheap fucking giveaways.
Too many. If the whole team'’s doing that, the whole mentality is, "We'’re not at it."
We'’re not fucking at it.
We'’re fucking patting ourselves on the back after a great win on fucking Friday.
We look loose.
We look as though we don'’t really fucking care,
and I know we do.
Every one of us need to sharpen our fucking game up. Come on.
[commentator] You can hear the atmosphere
here inside the Eco-Power Stadium.
- [chanting] Wrexham! - He'’s gonna cross this first time on his left foot,
deep to the back post.
O'’Connor gets his head to it, keeps that ball alive.
Played only as far as Barnett.
Barnett hits it low, and it'’s just wide.
Well played. Good! Come on!
Looking for Mullin.
Tries to get away from Olowu. Did really well. Not been given.
He'’s won the corner, but a foul given against him.
And for his angry protest, he'’s gonna earn a yellow card as well.
Mullin furious.
[Mullin] It was really disappointing.
Obviously, if you'’re getting closer
and then you go into a game--
Like every game, you want-- You want to try and win.
[commentator] Tom O'’Connor. Left-footed corner. It'’s low to the near post.
Not dealt with comfortably. It'’s back heeled. And it'’s Paul Mullin!
[cheering]
The offside flag goes up, and he didn'’t need to touch it.
He didn'’t need to touch it.
If Mullin hadn'’t celebrated, I don'’t think the flag was going up.
Tell me he'’s not touched it.
Oh, Mulls, what are you doing?
I kicked the ball in the goal. Got given offside.
I still don'’t believe it was offside, but I should'’ve just let it go in.
[commentator] Ben Tozer. Cross-field pass, looks for Fletcher at the back post.
Fletcher'’s gonna get there.
Fletcher'’s header. Brilliant save.
[Mullin] Fletcher'’s had a great header saved
in the last moments of the game, which would'’ve got us a draw.
- [whistle blows] - There is the full time whistle.
A blow for Wrexham.
Yeah, frustration'’s the word.
[Ker] So, again, our away form comes back to haunt us.
And we'’ve got five games to go,
and that really is probably the last one we can afford to lose.
We'’ve gotta go away to Crewe. We'’ve gotta welcome Stockport to the Racecourse.
So there'’s no doubt we'’re gonna be fighting right up until the end.
Yeah.