Next Up: Exeter City vs Wrexham
City extended their unbeaten run since the Spain trip to six with five clean sheets with a 0-0 draw at Lincoln that ended in controversy with a late Jack McMillan goal being chalked off for a handball against Angus MacDonald, leading to another dismissal for Gary Caldwell. While Caldwell awaits his fate, at present he will be in the dugout for Saturday’s high-profile match that has been confirmed as a sell-out. City will welcome back Joel Colwill after his stint with Wales U21s but otherwise the squad is looking more settled of late with Caldwell having plenty of options to choose from. Caleb Watts in particular is pressing for a recall to the starting line-up, but with McMillan playing well since returning to the side and against a potent attacking threat like Wrexham, Caldwell is likely to be cautious in his approach.
Given the resources at their disposal thanks to the investment from Ryan Reynolds and the other bloke, Wrexham are looking well-placed for a third successive promotion in what is looking increasingly like a two-way fight with Wycombe for the second promotion spot behind runaway leaders Birmingham. An example of the financial clout of the club is that Phil Parkinson was able to strengthen his attacking options with high profile signings of Jay Rodriguez and Sam Smith to add to the likes of Steven Fletcher, Jack Marriott, Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer. Rodriguez notched his first goal in Wrexham colours in last week’s 1-0 win over Stockport, and it’s probably a sign of how many attacking players Parkinson can choose from that three players are joint top league scorers with seven each including defender Max Cleworth. Elsewhere Arthur Okonkwo in goal has been earning plaudits while James McClean is likely to be his usual feisty self as a terrace target.
It’s fair to say Wrexham were clinical and City were overawed by the occasion in the reverse fixture – Wrexham only managed four shots on target but won 3-0 through Cleworth, Palmer and Rathbone. City were scrapping for their lives the last time Wrexham visited SJP in March 2003, new manager Gary Peters recording his first win as Steve Flack scored the only goal of the game. Wrexham’s win in November took them ahead of City in league head to heads 11-10, with 12 matches finishing level.
The match officials for this game will be:-
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Assistant Referees: Thomas Harty and Declan O’Shea
Fourth Official: Alan Young
Alex Chilowicz has taken charge of two Exeter City games, the 2-0 defeat to Birmingham City in November, and the 2-1 win at Wigan season. Alex has taken charge of 30 games this season, issuing 97 yellow cards and sending off 7 players.
Interview with Gary Caldwell
Interview with Jack McMillan