SWANS: Honours even as Swansea and Wrexham fight out pulsating draw

Swansea City stayed top of the Championship after a physical encounter with Wrexham ended goalless at the Swansea.com Stadium.

In a game of few chances, the Swans enjoyed long periods of possession and intent, but it was the visitors who had the clearer sights of goal under the Sky cameras in SA1.

Wrexham debutant Callum O’Hare shot narrowly wide, while Max Cleworth failed to connect from just yards out.

Substitute Zan Vipotnik came closest for Swansea late on, though not even last season’s Championship top scorer could find the breakthrough, firing straight at Wrexham goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.

The point moves Swansea a point clear at the summit and extends a defensive record that has brought just one goal conceded in five games.

Having kept the threat at bay through a first half dominated on the ball by the hosts, it was clear within minutes of the restart that Swansea would face a more aggressive opponent, O’Hare fizzing just wide from a Sam Smith knock-down.

There was a familiarity about the man causing the problems. O’Hare struck the crossbar against Swansea a fortnight ago, playing for Derby County, before moving to the Racecourse.

Swansea did respond, Moussa Yeo unable to stretch to meet Josh Tymon’s centre, but Wrexham’s introduction of fresh wing-backs and the attacking double act of Kieffer Moore and Josh Windass kept the momentum with the visitors.

Windass’ 70th-minute shot fizzed through bodies after a quick free-kick, but Cleworth could not get the vital touch with the Swansea goal gaping.

There was a welcome sight for the home crowd just after the hour. Ben Cabango came on for his first appearance since the heel injury he suffered against Sheffield United three games ago, and was later booked for an overzealous challenge on O’Hare.

Swansea revived to set up a tense finale, but Vipotnik could not have the final say, failing to guide Yeo’s cross past Patterson.

When Lawrence Vigouroux reacted well to collect a Moore attempt in stoppage time, both sets of supporters knew they would be settling for a share of the points.

Swansea travel to 19th-placed Southampton at St Mary’s on Tuesday night, before rock-bottom Burnley visit south Wales next weekend.

Eom Ji-sung, replaced just after the hour, will join up with South Korea for the Asian Cup after the Southampton game and will miss both the Burnley match and the trip to Lincoln City.

Swansea City XI

Lawrence Vigouroux; Josh Key, Filip Lissah (Ben Cabango 53), Stephen Welsh, Josh Tymon; Jay Fulton (c) (Marko Stamenic 75), Stephen Eustáquio, Melker Widell (Elijah Just 75); Moussa Yeo, Eom Ji-sung (Joseph Opoku 53), Adam Idah (Zan Vipotnik 63).

Wrexham XI

Anthony Patterson; Callum Doyle, Max Cleworth, Dominic Hyam (c), Ben Whiteman, Callum O’Hare (Lewis O’Brien 78), Ollie Rathbone (Josh Windass 62), Sam Smith (Kieffer Moore 63), Danny Imray (Issa Kabore 62), Matty James, Ryan Longman (Jacques Ekomie 62).

Author

Richard Bond

Swansea-based sports journalist.
Twitter: @RichBond00
Email: RichardBond@swanseabaynews.com