DREAM START FOR FERGIE
Wrexham 1 Oxford 0
DARREN Ferguson was the hero of a Robins' win that ended a worrying run of two straight defeats.

Sir Alex's lad capped his Wrexham debut with a superb fifth minute pass that set up Ian Stevens for
the only goal of the game.

And delighted Wrexham boss Brian Flynn said: "I was pleased with Darren. He showed his quality and
that pass to Ian deserved a goal. His experience showed in tight situations and he made two or three
passes like that in the game.

"But this was a must-win situation for us, even this early in the season, and we were hanging on a bit
late on."

SPORT FIRST

Gareth out on his Owen to perk up Wrexham
Ian Stevens eased Wrexham's woes with an early goal to secure a much-needed win after two defeats.
But Oxford came into the game with a vengeance near the end, and should have rescued a point.

Sir Alex Ferguson's son Darren made his debut for the Welsh side after signing a month's contract
with the option of a lonfer term if it works out. And the 27 year old midfielder had a hand in the goal,
providing a defence-splitting pass that put Stevens through for a rising shot that gave Paul Lundin no
chance after four minutes. Ferguson made two other chances, but on a day when Wrexham's strikers
were out of luck, the openings when begging. Stevens was clean through again but shot too high, and
when Karl Connolly made another opening the striker over-ran the pass in front of goal.

Gareth Owen, Wrexham's man of the match, tested Lundin with a low shot which the keeper turned
for a corner, then tried a looping shot which was punched past the post. An early chance was missed
when a mis-kick by Les Robinson in trying to clear let Connolly in, but the midfielder's angled shot
flew across an open goal. Craig Faulconbridge had a header punched away and Lundin dealt safely
with a shot from Stevens, getting both hands to the ball and turning it away for a corner.

Oxford came into the game strongly in spite of their depleted ranks in which six players were out of
position. Joey Beauchamp nearly got an equaliser with a shot that was heading for the right top corner
until Steve Roberts, making his league debut, got up to head off the line. Neil McGowan headed over
from close range and a cross from Steve Anthrobus found Matt Murphy clear, but a quick challenge
by Phil Hardy saved the home side.

Anthrobus headed over later when heshould have scored, and Beauchamp saw a 20 yard drive turned
away. Beauchamp was casuing Wrexham many problems and had two more shots turned away for
corners, first by golakeeper Kevin Dearden and then by the hard-working Owen.

TEAMTALK

  Early goal seals fate
  A goal from Wrexham forward Ian Stevens after only four minutes proved enough to beat Oxford
  1-0 at the Racecourse Ground.
  The home side took that early lead when their new man Darren Ferguson managed to provide a
  perfect pass to Ian Stevens - putting him in space and clear on goal. Paul Lundin could do nothing
  against the well placed shot and must have had at least a few words to say to his defence.
  Oxford had the perfect chance to level the scores when Paul Powell had a shot saved well by
  Kevin Dearden.
  Wrexham dominated the remainder of the first half having much the better of possession and
  chances but could not break down a cemented Oxford defence
  Wrexham had a prime chance to further their lead when goalscorer Ian Stevens missed a decent
  effort just before the break.
  Oxford had chances from Steve Anthrobus and Paul Tait, neither of which were worthy of a goal.
  The second half saw Oxford rejuvenated but their renewed vigor could not produce a goal.
  Les Robinson had a shot well saved by home keeper Dearden and Steve Anthrobus provided an
  Oxford highlight when his effort went wide.
  United could not break down a determined Wrexham defence and in the end had to surrender to
  the 1-0 scoreline.
  This disappointing result for Malcolm Shotton means Oxford now lie in 16th place in the Second
  Division table with 8 points, one point above Chesterfield and one behind Gillingham.

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