Advertisement

Former County duo aiming to scupper big-spending Wrexham's bid for promotion

DUO: Ryan Taylor and Tristan Abrahams have been reunited at Grimsby
DUO: Ryan Taylor and Tristan Abrahams have been reunited at Grimsby

A PAIR of Newport County AFC old boys will be attempting to scupper big-spending Wrexham’s bid to return to the Football League tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 12.30pm).

The north Walians have home advantage for the National League play-off semi-final against Grimsby Town, who earned the trip to the Racecourse by stunning Notts County with a pair of late goals at Meadow Lane on Monday.

The Mariners featured two players up front who were on the Exiles’ books in 2020/21 – Ryan Taylor and Tristan Abrahams.

South Wales Argus: Former County striker Ryan Taylor
South Wales Argus: Former County striker Ryan Taylor

Former County striker Ryan Taylor

Targetman Taylor, who played in County’s League Two play-off final defeat to Morecambe at Wembley, has made 39 appearances and scored eight goals this season.

Abrahams joined him at the club on loan from Carlisle in January with the 23-year-old scoring three of his four goals in the run-in.

Defender David Longe-King also signed for Grimsby on a two-year deal after leaving the Exiles last summer but spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Woking.

Taylor started in Nottingham and was replaced for the closing stages of the 90 minutes by Abrahams ahead of the last-gasp leveller that took the eliminator to extra time, when another last-gasp goal earned victory for the visitors.

They will be lining up against a Wrexham side featuring former County defender Ben Tozer, who left League Two champions Cheltenham for the Racecourse last summer.

The winners progress to the final at West Ham’s London Stadium on Saturday, June 5 to play either Solihull Moors or Chesterfield for the final spot in League Two.

Saturday also sees Mansfield and Port Vale clash at Wembley for promotion to League One.