Football – England – Blue Square Premier
Tuesday 4th September 2012 – Kickoff: 1945hrs
Home side Wrexham could move into second place if they take all three points against newly promoted Hyde United at the Racecourse ground on Tuesday night.
The Dragons started the new Blue Square Premier campaign with a 3-1 home win over another promoted side Woking, but then suffered a mini dip in form which saw them lose 0-2 at relegated League Two side Macclesfield Town before playing out draws against Ebbsfleet United and Grimsby Town, 1-1 and 0-0 respectively.
However, things look to be getting back on track with back-to-back wins at Tamworth 1-0 which was a good result, and then toppling their local rivals Newport County 2-0 in the Welsh derby at the weekend. Wrexham remain unbeaten at home too.
Wrexham should at least make the play-offs again this season and will no doubt be determined to go one step better this time around having finished in second place some 9 points clear of Mansfield Town and a ridiculous 15 points ahead of eventually promoted York City. By the way, did anyone else think that Gary Mills’ celebrations at the end of the play-off final were a little over the top and unnecessarily prolonged? It wasn’t as if he’d guided his side to World Cup final glory after all.
New signing striker Brett Ormerod will be expected to take up where Jake Speight left off as Speight has now left the club to Mansfield Town.
Promoted side Hyde United have found life hard going in the step up from Blue Square North and they’ve taken just 2 points from the possible first 18 on offer which were draws against Braintree Town and Barrow, 2-2 and 0-0 respectively.
Since then, Scott McNiven’s side have endured four straight defeats at the hands of Luton Town 1-2, Mansfield Town 0-1, Southport 0-2 and Forest Green Rovers 1-3 at the weekend. Their defensive frailties may well come to the surface again at strong Wrexham, and they’ve conceded 9 goals so far on their travels.
Former Southend United striker Scott Spencer who was prolific in Hyde’s promotion campaign from BSN (scoring 31 goals in total) has grabbed a couple so far, and journeyman forward Phil Jevons will also need to be watched closely.
This is a game that Wrexham should win comfortably, but the main question is by how many? I’ll play it safe as it’s a midweek fixture and back Wrexham to cover the -1 line here in what could be a 2-0 or 3-0 encounter.
Pick: Wrexham AH-1 @ 1.65 bet365
