danthemannw

[danthemannw]

Your First Global Game Jam: Tips from a Student Games Programmer

The following blog is not either proofread or sponsored by any kind. You can find me on Twitter (or X) or LinkedIn if you want to contact me.

Are you going to your first Global Game Jam this weekend? Maybe it's not your first, but interested in my title? I have always attended them during my undergraduate at Wrexham University. I remember feeling overwhelmed on the first night of the first year, thinking I had to create a good game in 48 hours in a team, but you don't have to. Only matters: Participating and having fun.

I am an aspiring game programmer passionate about the game industry and one of the Grads in Games student ambassadors, too. I recently heard about Anything World from Into Games Discord server - Anything World was hosting a month-long game jam, a 3D Animation and Automated Rigging platform powered by Machine Learning. Unlimited 3D models for games, apps and the metaverse. You can import your 3D models, which will automatically animate and rig it.

Dan, I don't have a model; what can I do? There are AI-Generated images websites called CSM and Luma, where you can get free 3D models which Anything World support models from and download these and put into the Anything World website then use for your jam submission.

You are a 3D artist, so you got all your models and rigging sorted? I have general ideas, but sadly, they are not on the programming side of the jam; I highly recommend you use Unreal to make a 3D game or Unity to make a 2D game. If you want to create a 2D game, there is Pixabay, which is good for free-to-use 2D images, and there is also a music / sound section. However, I often use freesound.org for my audio.

That's it; I wanted to write on a Thursday afternoon in between my university masters work. I wish you the very best of luck with the jam.

[danthemannw]

Wrexham VS Eastleigh - 6 August 2022

Hello and welcome to this review of the opening day clash in the Vanarama National League between Wrexham and Eastleigh. I am DanTheManNW, I wrote football reviews back in the 2018-19 season. The football club has changed a lot since my last review, we got new owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who are fantastic, you can see this in the club’s new documentary, Welcome to Wrexham, later this month.

If you are reading this review and you don’t know who I am. I am a student at Glyndwr University in Wrexham reading a games development on the games programming path. I am also one of the Grads in the Games student ambassadors at the university, helping my fellow students to break into the industry. Why am I writing a football review? I started writing reviews and football data as part of my involvement with Wrexham Inclusion FC. I am a big believer in trying different things to have variety in my life. I am also a season ticket holder in Mold Road Stand as I am a power chair user, it’s my second year of being a holder. 

As I am in a powerchair, I have never thought it would be possible to play for Wrexham. However, the club runs a powerchair football team, and I am part of the team. It will be the first proper season after starting last October.

Wrexham started their pre-season against Nantwich Town on 16 July away at Weaver Stadium. The friendly was booked after they kindly let the club host the fourth qualifying round of FA Cup replay against Marine at the host’s (Nantwich) stadium. They won the friendly 2 - 5 with goals from Aaron Hayden, an unnamed trialist, Kai Evans, Liam McAlinden and Paul Mullin before the team set off for two games in Alicante, Spain.

In their first game in Alicante, they played CD Leganes, who plays in Segunda Divison in Spain. I think it is equivalent to Championship in England as it’s the second highest league in the country. They lost 2 - 0 to the Spanish side. 

Next up is Nottingham Forest under 21s, who in Professional Development League in England. Whereas Forest’s main team plays in Premier League. The game ended as a 1-1 draw with Luke Young scoring from a penalty.

Wrexham played Premier League side Manchester United in a behind-closed-doors friendly at United’s training Carrington. They lost 4 - 1, but it was a good run out against 13 times Premier League champions. Wrexham defender Aaron Hayden scored the only goal, and he did the SIU celebration in front of Cristiano Ronaldo, who famously do the celebration after he scored a goal, he wasn’t playing in that match. I got the information of Hayden doing the celebration of the Rob Ryan Red, a Wrexham fan podcast.

Their penultimate game in pre-season was against Macclesfield at home. I went to the game, it was great to be at the Racecourse again. They won 4 - 0 with goals from Ollie Palmer, James Jones, Luke Young and Tom O’Connor. I like how the goalkeeper Mark Howard played, and he was very demanding of the home’s outfield players. You need that in a goalkeeper because they can see the whole pitch. 

For their last pre-season, Wrexham travelled to Caernarfon to face Caernarfon Town. It was the first time they would face another Welsh side in pre-season, and as there’s no other Welsh side in the league, it was the only time this season league-wise. However, it was a bad day at the office for the visitors, or should I say night, as they lost 2 - 0. To make matters worse, Christian Dibble got injured when the first goal went in. Speedy recovery Dibble, if you are reading this.

To the matchday now and I go to matches with my mum and Nana. We took the bus in and out of Wrexham, we went to Turf for a drink. It’s a pub next to the stadium, and starting from this season, they have a fan zone with live entertainment and different acts each matchday before the match. Sidekicks were performing this time.

We had score predictions before the match, and even before lineups were announced, I went for 3 - 0, Mum said 2 - 1, and Nana said 1 - 0.

Wrexham lined up as this:

Howard

Forde

Hayden

Tozer

Cleworth

McFadzean

O’Connor

Jones

Mullin

Palmer

Bench:

Watson

Mendy

Davies

Lee

Dalby

Eastleigh lined up as this:

McDonnell

Camp

Langston

Martin

Panter

Harper

Cisse

Carter

Mckternan

Whitehall

Abrahams

Bench:

Hesketh

Hill

Rutherford

Willson

Yamg

If you read my old match reviews, I went in-depth on the match, but I have decided I would write my reviews or a blog as a fan and let the rest write the full report on other platforms.

It only took the visitors 14 minutes to take the lead, thanks to Langston. I thought, who needs a gold trophy because everyone knows Wrexham will win the league this season, it’s only the case of how. Gold trophy is when a team win the league unbeaten. Palmer only came in January after Mullin signed in the summer last year, so they haven’t been together for a year yet.

However, it was a summer signing (this year), Elliot Lee scoring the 2 goals to win for Wrexham after coming off the bench. What surprised me, I thought the Racecourse was packed and over 10,000 fans in the stadium. However, the official attendance was 9,897 with 82 travelling fans.

Wrexham managed to go up 7th in the league. However, it doesn’t really mean much as it was the opening game of the season. The league takes shape after one or two months as games come thick and fast in their league. They will be on road for two games against Yeovil and then Chesterfield.

I am going on the club’s accessible away travel to Chesterfield, so expect to hear from me from that game. Wrexham is back at home on 20 August when they face Maidstone. I might do two games in one review.

[danthemannw]

Boxing Day: Wrexham VS Salford City

Hello and I hoped that everyone had a good Christmas, I know I had because I was there. Today, I was reviewing Wrexham’s Boxing Day’s encounter with Salford City. It has been ages since I wrote a game review, due to the fact that I am back at college and there is a lot of assignments to do. However, as it’s Christmas I have decided to have a few days off assignments.

Wrexham is playing at home against Salford. I think we can win despite everyone knows Salford is rich due to Class ‘97 Manchester United, therefore, they can beat any team on their day. However, do you know what? It’s not about money, it is all about 90 minute of football.

We come into the game with confidence after progressing in the FA Trophy (3 - 0) and drawing the league game (0 - 0) after it. I know we got thrashed against Newport 4 - 0 but we were a man down after 12 minutes and we are a league below them. Before the Salford’s game, we are 3rd in the table with a win, we will be second and go above them by a point.

Salford is on a good form, winning their last 2 games out of 3. They were home against Dagenham & Redbridge and won 2 - 1 in their last game. Before that game, they also progressed in the FA Trophy after beating Gateshead 3 - 1 at home. Finally, the game which started 3-game run, they lost to Chesterfield 2 - 0 away. Adam Rooney is their top scorer with 17 goals to his name so far in this season.

Now, I will talk about the game.

We lined up like this:

18 Rob Lainton

3 James Jennings

5 Shaun Pearson

16 Brad Walker

13 Mark Carrington

30 Jake Lawlor

14 Paul Rutherford

20 Akil Wright

7 Luke Summerfield

23 Stuart Beavon

32 Bobby Grant

On our bench:

1 Christian Dibble

4 Manny Smith

29 Ben Tollitt

17 Nicky Deverdics

10 Chris Holroyd

Salford City lined up like this:

1 Chris Neal

2 Scott Wiseman

6 Carl Piergianni

3 Ibou Touray

23 Nathan Pond

18 Danny Whitehead

4 Gus Mafuta

11 Tom Walker

7 Matt Green

9 Adam Rooney

10 Danny Lloyd-McGoldrick

On their bench:

21 Devante Rodney

30 Rory Gaffney

12 Max Crocombe

15 Liam Nolan

5 Liam Hogan

I was up on the platform for today’s game. This game was good for the community from having a good crowd and a special bucket collection for Wheelchair Accessible Travel.

We only needed 3 minutes to score the opening goal of the match when Shaun Pearson’s head met the ball from a Luke Summerfield’s corner. Shaun had good power with the header beating Christopher Neal. We had chances to score the second 3 minutes later. However, the visitors managed to block Summerfield’s left-footed shot. Bobby Grant got it back but his shot was just wide.

Salford then was on the attack when we lost the ball. When Matt Green half-volleyed the ball but it went wide. In ninth minutes, Daniel Lloyd tried to get a goal back but Jack Lawlor managed to block the attempt and the ball went wide. 2 minutes later, we got the ball back and went on the hunt for the second goal when Brad Walker missed calculate his shot and it found Neal. Then James Jenning had a throw-in and threw the ball to Paul Rutherford. He was clear through and had a half-volley but Neal managed to save it.

Wrex the Dragon came up to the platform, I bet he was sent to the stands because he was always near our attacking goal during the first half of home games. I know it’s a bad joke. Anyway, we finally got our second of the match when Akil Wright lost the Salford man who was marking him, he headed the ball in after Summerfield whipped it in. I could see the shadow of Wrex celebrating the goal.

31 minutes on the clock, Neal lost the ball when he was pressed by Rutherford. The ball found the feet of Mark Carrington, he took the shot from a long distance but missed the goal. Two minutes later, Stuart Beavon passed it to Rutherford, he crossed it in for Grant. However, Grant’s shot was blocked by Ibou Touray.

Beavon was a nightmare for Salford’s defenders today, he managed to let Wright in front of the box in the 43rd minute. However, Wright’s shot went wide. In stoppage time, we got a free kick. The ball got to Walker in the end, when he buried it in the bottom corner of the goal from 25 yards out.

Half-time: Wrexham 3 - 0 Salford City

Salford made a half-time substitution putting on Nathan Pond for Liam Hogan. They looked fresher and on 50 minutes, Gus Mafuta had a shot from 18 yards out but it went wide. We escaped the pressure and went on the attack, it was Grant who had a shot first but the ball found Neal. Then Beavon had a shot but it went wide.

Graham Barrow sent Ben Tollitt on for his debut in replace of Beavon in the 65th minute. In the next minute, we had a freekick which was taken by Grant but it went over and into a very busy Glyndwr University stand. Three minutes later, Summerfield tried a shot from a tight area but it was blocked.

Tollitt and Rutherford played an one-two run in the 82nd minute. Tollitt ended it by having a shot at the goal but it was blocked, he managed to get the ball and try it again. However, it was blocked. He got his reward for all of his missed shots in the 86th minute, when he got his debut goal and the ball went in the top corner of the goal. At this point of the game, some of Salford’s fans decided to head back to coaches and trains. As the saying goes, “money can’t buy you happiness” and today was a waking nightmare for Salford. Don’t worry Salford, there always next week when we meet again.

The game wasn’t over at 4 - 0, in the 93rd minute we got our fifth goal, when Chris Holroyd got through the visitors’ defence and buried the ball in the back of the net. Rob Lainton was finishing the game with a clean sheet, but Danny Whitehead’s long-shot effort was deflected in the box, missing Lainton and spun into the goal.

Full-time: Wrexham 5 - 1 Salford

The match sponsor’s match of the match was Stuart Beavon. It was a good day all round for Wrexham, when Leyton Orient losing their dinner time game at Dagenham & Redbridge 2 - 1 and we made £1,450 for Wheelchair Accessible Travel. That’s all from me for 2018, thank you for reading my content this year.  

[danthemannw]

Bank Holiday Monday Football:  Solihull Moors VS Wrexham

Monday 27th August

It’s a new one for me today when I travel to Solihull for my first ever league game away. As I am in a power chair for games. I can’t go on Pats Coaches as many of Wrexham support. However, I am not the only supporter in power and wheelchair.

Wrexham A.F.C hired a Disability Liaison Officer at the back end of last year voluntary called Kerry Evans. Kerry herself is in power chair so she is perfect for the job. She organized away travel for power and wheelchair for 7 games. Ok, 7 games aren’t a lot in season. However, there was 0 last season. There’s only space for 4 power/wheelchairs so this service is very in demand.

Away travel is not the only thing that Kerry put in place. She organized home and away blankets with the club badge on home blankets. With the help of AEC Engineering, she got a ramp for the recent open day at MyRacecourse. It enabled power and wheelchair users to access the player's area via the player entrance. Last year, it wasn’t ideally for us to go and explore players’ area I am glad that it was ideally this year. The last thing, I noted that she put in place is Autism home games. I believe that the club lacked this in past seasons. However, every home game is autism-friendly. Well done Kerry.

I will talk about the teams now and as we are away side. I will talk about Solihull Moors first. They are sitting in 10th place with 10 points. They won 3, drawn 1 and lost 2. Their recent form is bad. they went to AFC Fylde and lost 3 - 1. Then, they were home against Sutton United and drawn 2 - 2. In their last game, they were at Harrogate Town and lost 3 - 1.

We are 1st in the table with 14 points and 2 points clear. We won 4 and drawn 2. Our form is good, we went to Maidenhead United and won 2 - 0. Then, we went to Eastleigh and won 1 - 3. In our last game, we host Bromley and drawn 2 - 2.

We played Solihull four times in the league. The first game was 16 August 2016, we were home and we won 1 - 0. The goal was scored by Mark Carrington. The second game was away and we won 0 - 1 on 25 February 2017. The goal was scored by Anthony Barry. On 21 November 2017, we were home and won 1 - 0. The goal was scored by Paul Rutherford. The last league was away and it was a goalless draw. My prediction is Solihull Moors 1 - 2 Wrexham. The prediction was recorded on 26/08/18

I will talk about the day now.

Me and my mum arrived at MyRacecourse for 11 o'clock in the morning. We met up with Kerry, Kings, Ian, his son, nephew and Andrew. Everyone got on the Valentines’ minibus in time to meet 7 Pat’s coaches to set off for Solihull.

I can’t really say what we discuss because I forgot. However, I enjoyed the trip in general because I have never travelled with Valentines and travel to an away game. It was the best experience. I want to say a huge thank you to their drivers Steve and Chris. Steve drove but Chris locked our wheelchairs and power chairs in to show Steve.

When we got there, Alun the Wrexham AFC photographer took a picture of us with the minibus. Then we went into the ground with help of Solihull Moors’ stewards who were very kind. We were sitting on their platforms until home supporters in wheelchairs came when they were thinking “how we do this then”. The platform should be prioritized for home wheelchairs users, no matter what. Kings asked can we (away supports) go and watch the game at the away end. I was expecting a “no you can’t do that” due to safety reasons. However, we were allowed and it was perfect. If we score or vice versa, it can be awkward if we stay with home fans. I know that scoring isn’t everything in a game but you know.

It was time to welcome the two teams onto the pitch.

This how Solihull Moors lined up like this:

1. Ryan Boot

2. Tyrone Williams

3. Jamie Reckord

4. Kyle Storer

6. Alex Gudger

5. Liam Daly

7. Jamey Osborne

8. Darren Carter

9. Adi Yussuf

10. Jermaine Hylton

19. Danny Wright

On their bench:

11. Daniel Sweeney

12. George Carline

17. Luke Maxwell

18. Jordan Murphy

22. Corey O’Keeffe

This how we lined up:

18. Rob Lainton

2. Kevin Roberts

4. Manny Smith

13. Mark Carrington

7. Luke Summerfield

5. Shaun Pearson

8. Luke Young

20. Akil Wright

9. Mike Fondop

10. Chris Holroyd

11. Rekeil Pyke

On our bench:

1. Christian Dibble

6. Scott Burgess

15. Jordan Maguire-Drew

19. Freddie Hinds

24. Doug Tharme

As I say in my first review on here, I used the review on Wrexham to remember the events of the game because I am an average fan. However, the match review doesn’t help me much. I tried Solihull Moors’ review and nothing more than Wrexham’s. However, I got some memories of the game off these reviews.

The first quarter of the first half did nothing to give either both set of fans to shout about. We have a bigger crowd despite we were away. However, Manny Smith was injured in the 30 minutes. If I honest, it was worrying to see one of our key players on the ground. In the end, referee requested a stretcher. They almost set it up but he was ok enough to hop off with the help of Wrexham’s physio. It’s an injury to his right leg. It doesn't seem that bad if he didn’t have to go off on a stretcher. However, it’s some such of bad injury if stretcher had to come on the pitch.

Sam Ricketts brought on Doug Tharme for the injured Manny Smith. It was Tharme’s second appearance in two days. He is at the age, 19, some manager will probably send out on loan instead of play but it’s good for him to play.

Hosts had a chance to score the opener moments after our substitute. When Jamey Osborne had a chance from outside of the box. The ball bounced in front of Rob Lainton but in the end, he saved it without any trouble.

Then Luke Summerfield nearly apologized for his own goal on Saturday and score. However, his shot went just wide of right-hand post. On the 44 minute, Rekeil Pyke crossed the ball from the right wing which found the head of Mike Fondop who headed it down to Chris Holroyd. However, his first-time shot from the edge of the box went wide.

The referee awarded the hosts a free kick late on in stoppage time. Darren Carter took it. He kicked it out of play. Halftime 0 - 0.

We started well with Kevin Roberts when he swung in a low cross. However, a defender managed to clear it. The hosts took the ball to the other end. It reaches Osbourne and he had a shot from long range. It didn’t trouble Lainton.

Wrexham was on a good counter-attack in the 54 minute which reaches Roberts. He crossed the ball to Holroyd for the header towards goal but Ryan Boot saved it.

Solihull went close when Danny Wright, used to play for Wrexham, had a chance to score from Jermaine Hylton’s cross. However, Lainton was up to the task. On the hour mark, Ricketts made his second change of the game. When he sent on Scott Burgess on for Summerfield. It was Burgess’ debut. At that time, the attendance was announced. It was 2,412 with 1,501 travelling fans.

The away fans wanted Jordan Maguire-Drew on for a while now. They finally got their wish in the 68 minutes when Ricketts sent him on for Fondop. The referee saw Solihull’s assistant manager throwing a water bottle. A new ruling in place allows the referee to book him.

Shaun Pearson was next to be booked for a foul 30 yards out. Solihull didn’t take the free kick very well. However, they got the ball back and got a corner. Wrexham should have gone on the counter-attack. However, Liam Duly was the one to thank when he head it out for Wrexham’s goal kick.

The clock had nine minutes left when Solihull found the opener. Kyle Storer had a free kick which he managed to send the ball into Wrexham’s box. It was knocked down by Daly to Alex Gudger when he put it in the net. Solihull 1 - 0 Wrexham.

I noticed that Boot was wasting time when he had a free kick. He put the ball on a spot but he didn’t like it so moved it again. I think he did it twice and it should have resulted in a booking but never.

We had 8 minutes of added time which home fans were nervous about. However, we didn’t do much. This was first defeat of the season for Wrexham.

Wrexham went down to second with a point off the top. We got back at 7 after overtaking and beating coaches. They set off before us. There are 6 more away games with wheelchair minibus. I highly recommend it.

I am going back to college Monday so it’s the last review for a while.

[danthemannw]

Wrexham VS Bromley

Saturday 25th August 2018

Welcome back to my review after a week of away games. The team made club history when they played Maidenhead on 14th August. They kept 4 clean sheets in a row. The defenders and goalkeeper have to be credited for the success.  Sadly, the team didn’t make to 5 after the Saturday game. I will get to results later on in the review.

As the team is unbeaten on that day and at this point in the review. I asked the Wrexham AFC media team which was covering the Maidenhead’s game on Calon FM. “#askwxm I might be too earlier saying this but Sam Ricketts hadn't lose a competitive game who holds record aka new manager unbeaten record before his first @Wrexham_AFC  loss #COYR”. All of my tweet was copied. Mark Griffiths had to think it over and got to me the following day. Dixie McNeil who managed Wrexham in 1985 to 1898 holds the record of first unbeaten games in charge with 8 games. However, Sam is in 3rd with 5 on-going unbeaten games.

Another question that I asked was the possibility of losing Sam Ricketts while on this amazing unbeaten run. I asked this question on the Saturday during the Eastleigh game. They said that the possibility that he will leave is unlikely. He might not have any success with a bigger club. He might lose the job at a new job due to his lack of experience of being a manager. I gave the example of Dean Keates going to Walsall. They said the major reason that Dean left because it was his hometown club. Any other clubs he might ignore until end of last season.

Enough of my questions, let’s talk about Wrexham results. After the amazing 3 - 0 win against Boreham Wood at home. Wrexham continues the winning form against Maidenhead United 0 - 2. The goals came by Mike Fondop and Jordan Maquire-Drew. Next, Wrexham went to Eastleigh and win 1 - 3. That meant our unbeaten-with-a-clean-sheet was over but we are top of the league. Our scorers were Manny Smith and Fondop with Eastleigh’s Alex Wynter scoring an own goal. Their scorer was Paul McCallum.

Bromley’s form from last 3 games is ok. On 11th August, they hosted Harrogate Town which ended 1 - 1. Then, they were away at Eastleigh when they lost 1 - 0. Their last game was at home when they hosted Gateshead and they won 1 - 0. When they got 4 out of 9 points. We got full 9 points.

Our form against them is ok-good. In 4 games, we won 1, drawn 2 and lost 1. You can say all but one of our goalscorers gone. However, we have a good keeper in Rob Lainton. Mike Fondop is on amazing form at the moment. I recognize all of the players but they are the top 2 that catches my eye at present. My prediction is 2 - 0. The prediction was recorded on 22/08/18.

I will talk about the game now. I was invited up on the wheelchair’s platform to watch the game.

We lined up like this:

18. Rob Lainton

3. James Jennings

4. Manny Smith

13. Mark Carrington

7. Luke Summerfield

5. Shaun Pearson

9. Mike Fondop

15. Jordan Maguire-Drew

17. Nicky Deverdics

20. Akil Wright

23. Stuart Beavon

On our bench:

1. Christian Dibble

8. Luke Young

10. Chris Holroyd

11. Rekeil Pyke

24. Doug Tharme

Bromley lined up like this:

1. David Gregory

2. Tobi Adebayo-Rowling

15. Marc-Anthony Okoye

4. Frankie Sutherland

16. Jake Goodman

5. Roger Johnson

23. Sam Wood

8. Frankie Raymond

22. John Goddard

9. Omar Bugiel

18. George Porter

On their bench:

3. Dan Johnson

7. Bobby-Joe Taylor

14. Jordan Higgs

17. Myles Meekums

19. Ogedi-Uzokwe

We started the game really well with Luke Summerfield’s good volley over the bar in the second minute. Then, Mark Carrington crossed the ball to Summerfield five minutes later. He headed the ball but David Gregory saved comfortably.

In the 16th minute, Wrexham won a corner and Summerfield took it. Summerfield took it and find the head of Akil Wright. He headed it just wide of the post. Bromley got into the game but Marc-Anthony Okoye headed the ball wide from close range on the 18th minute.

A minute later, James Jennings tried to stop Tom Adebayo-Rowling while Bromley on the attack. Jennings injured himself in progress. The ball found Omar Bugiel who was free and had a good chance to score the opener but headed the ball well wide. Jennings couldn’t carry on so Sam Ricketts replaced him with Doug Tharme. Carrington took the left-back role.

On 29 minute, the visitors had another chance to score the opener. When Frankie Raymond crossed the ball to George Porter only to headed it wide. Wrexham then had a chance to score it and they did. It was Mike Fondop and his goal was amazing. He managed to lob the ball past Gregory in the 31 minute.

Fondop had a chance to give Wrexham a two-goal lead before the halftime break. When he attempted to chip Gregory. Gregory managed to save it. The whistle blew for halftime.

For wheelchairs users, when we aren’t picked for the platform. We find it hard to concrete on the game because we move our heads to keep track on the ball. Able-bodied can buy a seat higher to better their experience at the match. We can’t but I know there are more than 6 wheelchair users attending games. So there is a rotation basis system. I enjoyed myself at the match and can’t wait for the next time that I get invited up there. Anyway, onto the second half.

There were fewer chances after the half-time interval. Shaun Pearson had a chance which was blocked in the 47 minute. Bugiel had a chance but it was into the side-netting three minutes later.

Wrexham made a chance ten minutes after the interval. It was Rekeli Pyke replacing Stuart Beavon. Summerfield saw the yellow card for a late tackle in 58 minute

Ricketts made his third and last change with Luke Young replacing Nicky Deverdics in the 63 minute. Young had the chance to score Wrexham second after Jordan Maguire-Drew passed the ball to him. Then Fondop should have gotten a penalty in my eyes when he went behind the defence. I thought Gregory tackled him but the referee shown Fondop a yellow card for diving.

Lucky for Wrexham, they didn’t need a penalty to score their second. Pyke scored it in open play after Maguire-Drew cut inside the box and crossed it low. The referee finally pointed to the spot but it was for Bromley. He spotted a foul after a Bromley’s corner. Technically, I shouldn’t judge because I didn’t see it from the referee’s point of view. However, I think he is wrong. Rob Lainton saved the penalty against Dover Athletics so I was hoping that he saves it again. But he never. Frankie Sutherland scored after sending Lainton the wrong side. Minutes later, I decided to leave and head to my car to avoid the crowd.

When I got to my car. My mum said it was 2 - 2. Summerfield headed the ball into the net to score an own goal then we got a point instead of the three  I was in a mood all the way home because I know before commentators said it on BBC Radio Wales. We had too easy draws last season. In my opinion, it left us being 10th place and not in the playoff spots so that needs to change.

Wrexham’s sponsors picked Akil Wright as their man of the match. The match’s attendance was 5,714. Bromley bought 58 fans. We are top of the league by 2 points clear.

I used https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/report-wrexham-2-2-bromley for guidance. 

[danthemannw]

Wrexham AFC VS Boreham Wood

11th August 2018

Welcome to my review of Wrexham AFC VS Boreham Wood. It is dinner-time kickoff due to it being shown on BT Sport. Some of BT Sports’ crew was in attendance on Tuesday. They were doing highlights. I personally think they know we are one of the top teams to get promoted. According to the programme that was written and issued for the match vs AFC Fylde, they were trying out new equipment. The equipment will be more modern and safer for fans and crew.

In last 5 games against Boreham Wood, we won 4 games and they beat us once in 5 games. They beat us in the last game that both teams met at MyRacecourse 1 - 0. Bruno Andrade scored the only goal for Boreham Wood from the penalty shot. Our main goalkeeper for this season from last 2 games at least, which is Rob Lainton, saved the penalty at Dover Athletic so he will be ready if Boreham Wood get a penalty and saves it hopefully. All of our previous goalscorers now left the club.

Boreham Wood had a very good season last season. They got to the playoff final but they lost to Tranmere Rovers. Tranmere is a good rival to Wrexham and they are in league 2. Boreham Wood finished 2017 - 18 season 4th in league with 75 points. They had 20 wins, 15 losses and 11 draws with 17 goals difference. So they will be up there again end of the season.

A bit more of our top 3 biggest rivals in my own opinion. However, it isn’t for this season generally but one team in this league. The first rival is obviously really, they’re Chester who was relegated last season after poor season. They only got 37 points. We beat them twice in the league last year and both games were live on BT Sport. The second rival is Tranmere who I talked about earlier. They hate us and vice verse. I have to say it’s same as Chester I forgot to say. I remember one game before the match, one of their fans set a flare off. Our club warned us about taking flares in. I guess Tranmere fans didn’t care. The last rival is my own feelings really, they’re Dover. 312 of our fans travelled to Dover for the opening day of 2018 - 19 season. You can say they are loyal fans but it’s a long trip. Before the game, we never beat them home or away. They definitely should be one of our rivals. With Tranmere and Chester out of the league, I can’t wait for Dover game at home.

I think you will know our form this season. However, just to remind you we opened the season with a 1 - 0 win at Dover. Then, we hosted Fylde in 0 - 0 draw. Boreham Wood faced Dagenham and Redbridge on the opening day which they won 1 - 0. They drew 0 - 0 away at Havant and Waterlooville. My prediction will be 1 - 0 with we winning. I made this prediction on Friday 10 August 2018.

I will talk about the game now.

We lined up like this:

18. Rob Lainton

2. Kevin Roberts

3. James Jennings

8. Luke Young

5. Shaun Pearson

4. Manny Smith

7. Luke Summerfield

15. Jordan Maguire-Drew

20. Akil Wright

9. Mike Fondop

23. Stuart Beavon

Our substitutes:

1. Christian Dibble

11. Rekeil Pyke

12. Mark Carrington

14. Paul Rutherford

24. Doug Tharme

This is how Boreham Wood lined up:

21. Ellery Balcombe

2. Danny Woodards

3. Femi Ilesanmi

10. Kieran Murtagh

6. Dave Stephens

5. Manny Parry

8. Tom Champion

4. Mark Ricketts

19. Angelo Balanta

9. Joshua Umerah

20. Justin Shaibu

Their substitutes:

7. Ricky Shakes

11. Bradley Ash

12. Jamal Fyfield

14. Sorba Thomas

16. Connor Smith

We were on the front foot right from off with Stuart Beavon when he headed the ball just wide across post after Mike Fondop’s crossed it in. In 8 minute, Boreham Wood had a chance after the ball found Justin Shaibu after a missed interception by Shaun Pearson. However, his shot was overpowered and went well over the goal.  

Boreham Wood was very threatening from corners. Joshua Umerah was trying to score the opener as he headed the ball over the bar twice. He is on loaned from Charlton Athletic.

In the 26 minute, Wrexham managed to score the opener by Jordan Maguire-Drew. When James Jenning crossed the ball excellently to him and he nodded it in the net. Boreham Wood had instant respond when Umerah headed the ball but Rob Lainton saved it.

Sam Ricketts had to make his first change in the 38 minute. Luke Young was injured so Paul Rutherford took his place. A minute later, Umerah had another chance to level it by a left-footed shot but it didn’t trouble Lainton.

At halftime, it was Wrexham 1 - 0 Boreham Wood. After reading the review from Wrexham AFC, I think Umerah for Boreham Wood was amazing to be fair. He had good chances in the first half. We were lucky to be in front.

Before the second half begins, Mark Carrington went on for Kevin Roberts.

Wrexham was on the counter-attack in the 49 minute. It finished with Beavon’s low cross being blocked. The ball fell to Maguire-Drew but he shot the ball over in the Boreham Wood’s area. Then Justin Shaibu got the better than Wrexham’s defence but Lainton came out and saved it.

Ricketts sent Rekeil Pyke on for Beavon. This was the last substitute for Wrexham. Mike Fondop tried to make it two nil. When he turned and shot but the shot is straight to Boreham Wood’s Ellery Balcombe. Three minutes later, Maguire-drew won a freekick which later saved by Balcombe.

On 67 minute, Wrexham scored their second with Pyke scoring it. Boreham Wood nearly got one back with Ricky Shakes but Lainton was on form in this match.

With 5 minutes to go, Wrexham scored their third and last. After Pyke crossed the ball in for Fondop to headed in the net. He celebrates it in front of Wrexham fans in University stand by dancing.

Wrexham sponsors picked Rob Lainton as their man of the match. Vanarama picked Jordan Maguire-Drew as their man of the match. The match’s attendance was 4,356.

[danthemannw]

Wrexham VS Fylde

Tuesday 7th August 2018

Hello and welcome to my first football match review of the season. I did football match reviews in 2016 - 17 season before my life got more challenging with college commitments more than before in Entry Levels. That being said, I don’t know how many reviews I can write in this season because it’s very likely that I am returning to college in September. I am back writing reviews because I enjoy it and it is something different than my daily activities.

It’s first home game of the game so let’s talk about last season. We finished 10th with 17 wins, 19 draws and 10 losses. We scored 49 goals, we would be 20th if the league was won by how many goals teams scored alone. We let 39 goals in to have a goal difference of 10. That goal difference isn’t bad for a national league side which fans own so we can’t afford to keep a striker for long which is known to score goals at this level due to his wage demands. A famous example is John Rooney. Yes, I said “Famous example”. Everybody knows he is the young brother of Wayne Rooney. No, I meant famous as it is likely the reason that he left. However, I don’t really know because I am a normal fan with no knowledge of financial and management. Anyway, we need better goals difference. Which I hope will change with Sam Ricketts because he seems like a manager if we are not scoring goals. He will shuffle the starting 11.

One thing that I am annoy about is goalless matches. We had 7 goalless matches in the 2017 - 2018. I agree that clean sheets are good but if we have less goalless draws and score a goal and defend the lead until full time. That will be 2 extra points we will get instead of just a point. We might have made the playoffs if we just score when we having a potent goalless draw.

I listened to the game vs Dover Albion on Calon FM. We have never won a game against them either at home or away. I had the feeling of a potent lost because Dover is a good side and we have a bad record against them. However, Mike Fondop got the opener and we managed to defend the 1 - 0 lead to the end despite they having a penalty which Lainton saved.

Now, I will talk about our game vs Fylde at MyRacecourse.

Our form against Fylde is average really due to the fact that they were promoted to National League at the end of 2016 - 2017 season. On 24th October 2017, They beat us at their home 2 - 0  with goals from Jonny Smith and Jack Muldoon. We met them in qualifying round 4 of the FA Cup which we lost 1 - 0 at home. Then, we met again on the final day of the season which I discussed earlier.

With both teams winning on their open day of the season. You know our result from earlier. Fylde won 2 - 1 against Bromley. My prediction will be 2 - 0 to us. The prediction was made on Monday 06/08/2017.

We lined up as this:

18. Rob Lainton

2. Kevin Roberts

4. Manny Smith

15. Jordan Maquire-Drew

3. James Jennings

5. Shaun Pearson

7. Luke Summerfield

20. Akil Wright

8. Luke Young

14. Paul Rutherford

9. Mike Fondop

On our bench:

1 Christian Dibble

11 Rekeil Pyke

12 Mark Carrington

23 Stuart Beavon

24 Doug Thame

AFC Fylde lined up as this:

1 Jay Lynch

12 Luke Burke

3 Zaine Francis-Angol

7 James Hardy

5 Jordan Tunnicliffe

4 Neil Byrne

6 Andy Bond

8 Ryan Croasdale

10 Danny Philliskirk

11 Joe Cardle

9 Danny Rowe

On their bench:

13 Russ Griffiths

14 Ash Hemmings

16 Arlen Birch

17 GimeToure

20 Serhat Tasdemir

We had a chance to open the scoring 10 minutes in. When a cross found Zaine Francis-Angol who nearly scored an own goal. 5 minutes later, Fylde was on the attack from a loose ball which found Ryan Croasdale. He took a shot but it was denied by Rob Lainton.

We were close again to open the scoring in the 25th minute when Mike Fondop headed the ball over the ball from a cross by James Jenning. Sadly, no goals for neither side at halftime. Wrexham 0 - 0 Fylde.

I want to say something before I describe the second half. I am using the review on Wrexham AFC website (https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/report-wrexham-0-0-afc-fylde) to refresh my memory. It’s not my intend to steal or plagiarise their work. I love what media team do like this and radio commentary. I try my best to rephrase and give my thoughts on the games. It’s the players who create the facts for match reviews.

In the second half, it was Wrexham that was getting all of the chances. The first chance was before the hour mark when Jordan Maguire-Drew’s cross found the head of Paul Rutherford. The ball went into the net. Wrexham fans included me thought it was in. However, the referee ruled it out due to Rutherford being offside. Another good chance which Wrexham had come in the 63rd minute. Luke Young had a wonderful shot which was just wide of the post.

Shaun Pearson headed the ball over the goal from a corner in the 75th minute. The referee showed Arlen Birch the first yellow card of the game and rewarded a free kick for Wrexham. The free kick nearly resulted in a goal. This is how the game ends with Wrexham 0 - 0 Fylde

Am I happy with the draw? Yes with our previous form against them. Which was 2 loses and a draw before the game. Fylde is a good side, it shown in their debut season in National League last season reaching the playoffs. Life under Sam Ricketts is good.