Birmingham City player ratings after Christoph Klarer and Co repel Wrexham in Hollywood Derby
Birmingham City battled to a point at Wrexham to maintain their lead in the League One promotion race.
The league leaders recovered from Ollie Rathbone’s early strike to level through an own goal from George Dobson, although a number of Blues players might try to take the credit. Blues weathered a Wrexham storm late on to hold onto their 1-1 draw.
A raucous atmosphere at the Racecourse Ground spurred the hosts on to a strong start. Rathbone picked Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s pocket on the edge of Blues’ box and curled a shot beyond Ryan Allsop. Replays showed Gardner-Hickman could well have been fouled by Ollie Palmer in the build-up.
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Blues fell behind to Wrexham when the two teams met in September and fought back to record a 3-1 victory. They cancelled out Rathbone’s opener within eight minutes.
Lyndon Dykes climbed highest at the far post to meet Marc Leonard’s corner and head back into the dangerzone. Alfie May got a flick, Ethan Laird might have too, but the decisive touch came from Wrexham midfielder George Dobson.
There were few opportunities in the remainder of the half. The best one fell to Rathbone in first half stoppage time after James McClean’s wide free-kick was nodded down but the midfielder blazed over.
Allsop was called into action twice in quick succession just after the hour. The Blues stopper did well to tip over Ryan Barnett’s cross to begin with, before producing an excellent save to keep out McClean’s header from the resulting corner.
Keshi Anderson was introduced just after the hour for Blues and instantly provided more attacking impetus. The winger flashed a ball across the box that May couldn’t quite connect with.
Wrexham pushed for a winner late on and substitute Steven Fletcher – who has developed a habit of scoring late winners at the Racecourse Ground – forced Allsop into a good save.
Despite all Wrexham’s pressure in the second half, Blues had the last attempt. Gardner-Hickman drove forward and smashed a shot just wide of the sprawling Arthur Okonkwo. The spoils were shared.
Ryan Allsop 8
Allsop made some important contributions in the second half, including saves from McClean and Fletcher, to ensure Blues left Wales with a point.
Ethan Laird 7
Laird did well against McClean for the most part and limited the number of crosses from the Wrexham left. He wasn’t able to get forward as much as he would have liked.
Christoph Klarer 8*
The Austrian relished the physical battle with Palmer and dominated in the air and on the floor. Klarer was the perfect defender for the occasion.
Ben Davies 8
Davies battled well alongside Klarer and got a vital touch on a cross at the death with Fletcher ready to score behind him. You really can’t fault the on-loan Rangers man.
Alex Cochrane 7
Cochrane did very well against Wrexham dangerman Ryan Barnett. He was largely pinned back by Barnett, though, and unable to pose a threat at the other end.
Marc Leonard 7
Leonard showed poise in possession in the heat of battle and whipped in the corner that led to Blues’ goal. The Brighton academy graduate has stepped up in the absence of Paik and Iwata.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman 7
Gardner-Hickman was dispossessed for Wrexham’s opening goal but replays show he was fouled. He worked tirelessly in midfield throughout to compete with Wrexham’s three.
Scott Wright 6
Wright played a poor pass in the build-up to Wrexham’s opener and wasn’t able to impact the game a great deal at the other end. He opened up once and breezed past two Wrexham players to set up Dykes in an otherwise quiet shift.
Lyndon Dykes 7
The Scotland international played a key role in the opening goal with the header back into the danger zone and he could well end up being credited with it. Dykes was the most effective of Blues’ starting attackers.
Jay Stansfield 6
Stansfield wasn’t able to repeat his heroics from September and was on the fringes of the game. Wrexham fans chanted ‘what a waste of money’ at Stansfield when he was substituted but the decisive goals the 22-year-old has scored this season suggest he has been anything but.
Alfie May 6
May wasn’t able to provide the decisive touch inside the box when the ball dropped to him a couple of times. He was in the vicinity for the goal but isn’t likely to get it.
SUBS
Keshi Anderson (for Wright, 66) 7
Anderson gave Blues legs and quality out wide. He instantly created a chance for his teammates and carried the ball well for the period before Blues were penned in by Wrexham at the end.
Lukas Jutkiewicz (for May, 83) N/A
Krystian Bielik (for Stansfield, 86) N/A
Not used: Peacock-Farrell, Hanley, Harris, Yokoyama
