Wrexham vs Swindon 1995. Credit: wrexhamafcarchive.co.uk
On this day 31 years ago, Wrexham produced a remarkable comeback at the Racecourse Ground, recovering from 2-0 down to beat unbeaten Second Division leaders Swindon Town 4-3 on September 30, 1995.
Brian Flynn’s side began the afternoon 19th in the table with just one victory from their opening nine league games. Swindon were flying at the other end, arriving in North Wales top after seven wins and two draws, with only four goals conceded.
By full-time, Wrexham had doubled that tally in one afternoon. Karl Connolly scored a hat-trick, Barry Hunter grabbed the winner and the unbeaten leaders left the Racecourse empty-handed.
Wrexham recover from nightmare start against Swindon
The afternoon could hardly have started worse for the hosts. Wayne Allison struck twice inside 23 minutes to establish a 2-0 advantage for a Swindon side which had barely given anything away during the opening weeks of the campaign.
Connolly gave Wrexham a route back into the contest nine minutes before half-time. The striker then struck again shortly after the restart to level matters and turn what had threatened to become a difficult afternoon into a genuine contest.
There was another twist. Peter Thorne restored Swindon’s lead in the 56th minute, meaning Flynn’s players had to find another response against the division’s form side.
Connolly duly provided it. His 66th-minute equaliser completed his treble, which was the first hat-trick of his Wrexham career, and left the match finely poised at 3-3.
Barry Hunter settles seven-goal Racecourse classic
The decisive moment arrived with 12 minutes remaining. Hunter found the net to put Wrexham ahead for the first time, completing the turnaround in front of an attendance of 4,296.
There would be no fourth Swindon goal. Wrexham held on for only their second league victory of the campaign, inflicting a first defeat on opponents who had taken 23 points from a possible 27 before arriving at the Racecourse.
Connolly’s contribution became part of an excellent individual campaign. He scored 21 times across all competitions in 1995/96, with the Swindon treble his only hat-trick of the season.
Wrexham victory looked even better in hindsight
What followed gives the result extra weight three decades later. Swindon recovered to become Second Division champions with 92 points, finishing a 46-game league season with just four defeats.
Wrexham enjoyed quite a turnaround of their own. Having entered this game down in 19th, Flynn’s side eventually climbed to eighth by the end of the campaign.
That makes September 30, 1995 an afternoon worth revisiting. Wrexham were 2-0 down, then 3-2 behind, against a team heading for the title, yet Connolly and Hunter ensured the Racecourse witnessed a seven-goal classic.
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