Wrexham 2-1 Boreham Wood: Luke Young free-kick gives Dragons opening win
- Published
Luke Young joined Wrexham from Torquay in May 2018
Reece Hall-Johnson and Luke Young gave new-look Wrexham the perfect start to the National League season with victory over Boreham Wood at the Racecourse.
Hall-Johnson, one of eight new signings in Wrexham's starting line-up, struck a fine first-half goal before Keiran Murtagh's second-half equaliser.
Young's free-kick secured a win for the Dragons in a rain-swept match.
Wrexham are the subject of a proposed takeover by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Deadpool star Reynolds posted on Instagram that he was following a live stream of the opening game of the season.
Reynolds and McElhenney are set to share their vision for the club after the fan-owned club's members voted overwhelmingly for talks to proceed.
News of the takeover bid has offered some optimism after a disappointing few seasons for the club, compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Indeed there were doubts whether the National League could begin as planned before "significant" financial support from the UK government was confirmed.
Boreham Wood, who had lost to eventual winners Harrogate in last season's play-off semi-finals in July, started with real intent.
Wood had already forced two early corners before home keeper Rob Lainton made a fine double save to deny Karbongo Tshimanga.
Wrexham eventually managed to get out of their own half and Elliott Durrell, back for a second spell with the club, fired wide of the post.
Corey Whitely, who has rejoined Boreham Wood on loan from Newport County, wasted a good opportunity after finding himself in good space.
But it was Wrexham who went ahead when debutant full-back Hall-Johnson ventured into the visitors' half before unleashing a powerful effort from the edge of the area,
The home side could have doubled their lead before the break as Young's lofted free-kick found Theo Vassell unmarked, but the defender could not direct his header goalwards.
Luke Garrard's side levelled on the hour mark with Murtagh heading in a free-kick from the impressive Sorba Thomas, whose set-pieces had caused problems all afternoon.
But Wrexham restored their lead 10 minutes later with Young's free-kick finding the top corner after Murtagh's foul on Durrell and they held on to secure the win.
Wrexham manager Dean Keates said: "Glad to hit the road running. It gives us a building block and a bit of momentum going forward into the next game on Tuesday night.
"In the first half we didn't show enough composure on the ball, didn't move it as well as they can do, so I said to them at half-time 'back yourselves, you're good players.'
"On the back of that they went out in the second half, the conditions played their part. But I can't question the players' application and the effort that they gave."