By Terry Phillips
Kwame Thomas, a striker of Ghanaian descent, and Tanzanian international Adi Yussuf are together again – and intent on helping Wrexham launch a Vanarama National League promotion challenge.
The two men linked up for Solihull Moors two years ago when the English Midlands club finished second, three points behind Leyton Orient, before losing against AFC Fylde in the play-offs.
Thomas, aged 24, scored twice for Wrexham in their recent 4-1 pre-season win against Cefn Druids at the Racecourse.
“Adi and I have played together before,” confirmed Thomas. “We are both a handful for defenders, play a physical style and can cause problems for defenders in our division.
“Most of the goals I score are from crosses into the penalty area. I like to attack crosses. I am that sort of number nine and probably should have scored a couple more [v Druids], but that sharpness will come.
“It’s six months since any of us played. We will get sharper and fitter.”
Thomas (2), Jordan Davies and a trialist scored Wrexham’s goals, while former Dragons player Jamie Reed netted for Druids.
“It was a good test for us in our first competitive game,” said Wrexham manager Dean Keates. “Cefn start their League fixtures on Friday [v Newtown at home].
“Thomas and Yussuf have played together before and linked well. Add Jamie Bickerstaff, a different sort of striker, to the equation and it’s looking promising.
“The players have been training for two and a half weeks without having a game. Fair play they have done well.”
Manager Keates has added eight new signings to his squad for the new season – Jamie Reckord, Jordan Ponticelli, Elliott Durrell, Jordan Davies, Theo Vassell, Reece Hall-Johnson loan signing Yussuf.
Wrexham also included six triallists in their squad, while they made wholesale changes at half-time and Keates admitted: “It was a little laboured in the second half.”
Adi signs on a season long loan deal and he’s no stranger to the National League with spells with Barrow & Solihull.
— Wrexham AFC Fans (@WrexhamFCFans) August 28, 2020
Wrexham starting XI: Rob Lainton, Reece Hall-Johnson, Trialist, Shaun Pearson, Trialist, Jordan Davies, Trialist, Luke Young, Trialist, Kwame Thomas, Adi Yussuf
Wrexham second-half XI: Christian Dibble, Mark Carrington, Max Cleworth, Theo Vassell, Jamie Reckord, Paul Rutherford, Devonte Redmond, Jay Harris, Elliott Durrell, Trialist, Jake Bickerstaff
Cefn Druids: Jones, Green, Wise, Barratt, Arsan, Azimall, Flint, Reilly, Brazel, Phillips, Reed. Subs: Simpson, Cartwright, Ruberto, Smith, Fuller, Edwards.
Wrexham will be in action every Saturday and Tuesday through to the first scheduled match of the 2020-21 Vanarama National League, against Boreham Wood.
Wrexham FC fixtures
All fixtures at the Racecourse Ground will be fully behind closed doors and supporters must not attend the stadium.
Pre-season
September
Tuesday 8 won 4-1 v Cefn Druids (H)
Saturday 12 v Salford City XI (H)
Tuesday 15 v AFC Telford United (A)
Saturday 19 v Kidderminster Harriers (A)
Tuesday 22 v AFC Telford United (H)
Saturday 26 v Southport (A)
Vanarama National League fixtures
October
Saturday 3 v Boreham Wood (H)
Tuesday 6 v Solihull Moors (A)
Saturday 10 v Yeovil Town (A)
Tuesday 13 v Maidenhead United (H)
Saturday 17 v Wealdstone (A)
Saturday 24 v Emirates FA Cup 4Q
Tuesday 27 v Barnet (H)
Saturday 31 v Sutton United (H)
November
Saturday 7 v Emirates FA Cup 1st Round
Saturday 14 v Weymouth (A)
Tuesday 17 v Hartlepool United (A)
Saturday 21 v Aldershot Town (H)
Saturday 28 v Bromley (A)
December
Tuesday 1 v Altrincham (H)
Saturday 5 v Torquay United (A)
Tuesday 8 v Eastleigh (A)
Saturday 12 v Dover Athletic (H)
Saturday 19 v Buildbase FA Trophy 3rd Round
Saturday 26 v Macclesfield Town (H)
Monday 28 v Stockport County (A)
January
Saturday 2 v Macclesfield Town (A)
Saturday 9 v Woking (H)
Saturday 16 v Buildbase FA Trophy 4th Round
Saturday 23 v Chesterfield (A)
Tuesday 26 v FC Halifax Town (H)
Saturday 30 v King’s Lynn Town (A)
February
Saturday 6 v Dagenham & Redbridge (H)
Tuesday 9 v Altrincham (A)
Saturday 13 v Notts County (H)
Saturday 20 v Aldershot Town (A)
Tuesday 23 v Hartlepool United (H)
Saturday 27 v Wealdstone (H)
March
Saturday 6 v Sutton United (A)
Tuesday 9 v Barnet (A)
Saturday 13 v Weymouth (H)
Tuesday 16 v Eastleigh (H)
Saturday 20 v Dover Athletic (A)
Saturday 27 v Bromley (H)
April
Friday 2 v Notts County (A)
Monday 5 v Torquay United (H)
Saturday 10 v Stockport County (H)
Tuesday 13 v FC Halifax Town (A)
Saturday 17 v Woking (A)
Saturday 24 v Chesterfield (H)
May
Saturday 1 v Solihull Moors (H)
Monday 3 v Maidenhead United (A)
Saturday 8 v Yeovil Town (H)
Saturday 15 v Boreham Wood (A)
Saturday 22 v King’s Lynn Town (H)
Saturday 29 v Dagenham & Redbridge (A)
