Cool keeper cages Dragons (From Worcester News)

Cool keeper cages Dragons

10:20am Thursday 26th November 2009 in

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Wrexham 2
Harriers 2

SHOT-STOPPER Dean Coleman produced a goalkeeping masterclass as Harriers battled the elements and a fired-up Dragons outfit to earn a share of the spoils on Tuesday night.

The 24-year-old produced a string of top class saves as Harriers came from behind twice to stretch their unbeaten run in the Blue Square Premier to three matches.

In fact, Dean Saunders Welsh outfit, struggling in the bottom half of the table, gave Harriers more trouble than their two previous opponents Oxford and Kettering.

A big part of that was the driving rain, swirling winds and increasingly water-logged pitch which caused both sides’ defences all sorts of problems.

But that didn’t worry Coleman who once again proved that his promotion from back-up keeper to the number one shirt was a gamble worth taking by manager Mark Yates.

The keeper had shown his prowess by denying Marc Williams and Adrian Cieslewicz with fine reaction saves in the first half.

But he produced a contender for save of the season after the break when he flung himself full-stretch to get a hand to Andy Fleming’s 30-yard thunder bolt.

Coleman then kept Wrexham at bay by denying Wes Baynes and even had a slice of deserved luck right at the death.

The keeper had done well to control Chris McPhee’s mis-judged back pass on a slippery pitch and his clearance was charged down by Marc Williams, but the ball flew agonisingly wide of the keeper’s left-hand post.

“We were lucky to get a draw at the end, unfortunately on the two goals I thought we could have done better,” commented Coleman afterwards.

“But the lads did well and we scored two goals of our own.

“I thought I did well and pulled off a couple of good saves to keep the lads in the game but that’s what I am there for.

“It was a bad pass back from Chris McPhee and I dealt with it properly but Marc Williams has got there and it’s unfortunate for Wrexham they didn’t get the winner.

“I was ready for the first team spot last year but we had Adam Bartlett here, but all I’ve done is keep my head down and now I am doing really well and am confident.”

The shot-stopper could not be faulted for either Wrexham goal as Harriers’ defence struggled against the wind and some incisive set-piece deliveries from Dragons striker Baynes in the first half.

They allowed Baynes’ raking free-kick to scythe through the area and an unmarked Mike Williams slid the opener into the back of the net in the 26th minute.

If Harriers were paralysed at set-pieces, sheer panic was par for the course for the home defence every time a ball entered their box and Brian Smikle ended his goal drought to bag the leveller.

Robbie Matthews nodded Gavin Caines’ throw-in into the area and Smikle lashed it into the bottom corner to grab his first goal in eight games.

More lacklustre defending from a corner was punished by Mike Williams when he had time and space to head the ball into the back of the net to restore Wrexham’s lead in the 35th minute.

McPhee levelled the scores in the 44th minute after good work by David McDermott and Robbie Matthews.

After the break, Coleman was equal to everything thrown at him, although Harriers had to ride their luck.

They had a let off when Cieselwicz shot wide after he had out paced Martin Riley and rounded the keeper.

Harriers also had their chances to add to their tally in a frenetic, open encounter. Matthew Barnes-Homer saw a low 20-yard effort spilled by keeper Chris Maxwell.

Smikle was also denied by Wrexham’s custodian, while a last-gasp block from Curtis Obeng denied Barnes-Homer, who also shot over from close range after good play by David McDermott.

Harriers’ then enjoyed good fortune in the final minute to illustrate that in an unpredictable game they had earned a handy point rather than dropped two.

Harriers: Coleman 8; Courtney 6; Caines 6; Riley 6; Andrew 6 (Baker, 58); Smikle 7; McDermott 6 (Knights, 63); McPhee 7; Bennett 7; Matthews 6; Barnes-Homer 6 (Farrell, 85). Unused substitutes: Singh; Hadley.

Wrexham: Maxwell; Obeng; Westwood; Mike Williams; Marc Williams; N Taylor (Jones, 70); Sinclair; Cieslewicz; Baynes; Fleming; Smith. Unused substitutes: G Taylor; Fairhurst; McCluskey; Wolfenden.

Referee: Richard Wigglesworth. Attendance: 2,086 (128)