Wrexham Hat-trick Hero Kieffer Moore Speaking to Sky Sports

Kieffer Moore’s perfect hat-trick helped Wrexham come from behind to inflict a first league defeat of the season on Championship leaders Coventry City.

Ephron Mason-Clark’s second goal of the season gave Frank Lampard’s side the lead midway through the first half at the Stok Cae Ras.

But Moore netted three times in the space of 23 minutes in the second half to take his goal tally to nine for the season and inspire Wrexham to their most impressive result of the campaign.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto curled beyond Arthur Okonkwo in the 88th minute to give the visitors late hope, although they were unable to find an equaliser as their record of being the only remaining unbeaten side in the English Football League was ended.

Defeat left the Sky Blues – who stay three points clear of second-placed Middlesbrough having played a game more – miss out on what would have been a club record seventh successive league win.

Victory lifted Phil Parkinson’s outfit – who have secured back-to-back home league wins for the first time this season – up to 11th in the table.

Prior to kick-off, Frank Lampard was full of praise for Wrexham’s rapid rise up the football pyramid, and the former midfielder quickly discovered the hosts were not going to be pushovers.

Both sides had chances early on as Josh Windass blazed well over before Liam Kitching headed Matt Grimes’ in-swinging corner narrowly wide.

Much to the frustration of the home fans, Lewis O’Brien opted against shooting after being picked out by Windass as the hosts competed well with the league leaders.

After Coventry captain Grimes fired wide from a free-kick, Wrexham were presented with a glorious chance to open the scoring as Windass’ cross ran through to O’Brien who was brilliantly denied by the outstretched leg of Carl Rushworth.

The Red Dragons were emphatically punished for that miss as, just a minute later, Sakamoto’s lofted ball over the top found Mason-Clark who guided the ball beyond Okonkwo.

Coventry’s ruthless nature typified why they have been so free-scoring this season, and while Wrexham continued to get into plenty of promising positions, their lack of cutting edge ensured the visitors remained on course for an historic win.

Max Cleworth’s left-footed pile-driver flew just wide five minutes into the second-half as the hosts remained threatening.

Coventry grew increasingly reliant on counter-attacks, as evidenced when Haji Wright’s shot trickled wide from a narrow angle.

But the home side’s pressure told in the 60th minute as Issa Kabore fed Windass who crossed for Moore to send the ball beyond Rushworth from six yards out.

And they were in dreamland nine minutes later as Windass this time lifted a cross into the box, with Moore steering his header into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.

Ellis Simms, Victor Torp, Josh Eccles and Jay Dasilva were all summoned from the bench by Lampard as the latter stages of the contest became stretched.

But Windass again teed up Moore to rifle a left-footed shot beyond Rushworth to complete his treble on 83 minutes – the first in the league by a Wrexham player since Mick Vinter in 1982 against Rotherham.

Sakamoto’s sumptuous 88th-minute strike – his third of the campaign – set up a nervy finish, although Wrexham held on to clinch all three points as Coventry tasted defeat under Lampard.

Analysis: Squad rotation reaps rewards

What a difference three days make.

On the back of a very positive performance and result at Middlesbrough last Saturday, Wrexham crashed out of the EFL Cup following a 2-1 loss to Cardiff City on Tuesday.

For the visit of high-flying Coventry, boss Parkinson made four changes to the 11 that started at Boro, and nine from that glum defeat by the Bluebirds.

They reaped maximum rewards as those who came back into the fold played with intent and quality throughout.

Kabore and Liberato Cacace were relentless in the wing-back berths while Windass ended the contest with a trio of assists for the magnificent Moore – who now has nine goals to his name since joining Wrexham in the summer.

Despite being without numerous players due to injury, with Lewis Brunt and Elliot Lee being the latest to need time on the treatment table, Parkinson still has plenty of top options at his disposal.

Supporters were immensely frustrated by the fourth round cup defeat by Cardiff, but Parkinson fully justified the rotation as his players produced a performance that was worthy of victory against a side who had previously won six on the spin in the Championship.

As for the Sky Blues, they were far from their best as Wrexham’s energetic display limited their attacking threat.

That said, they still managed to net two goals away from home, such is the quality within Lampard’s ranks.

It was always going to be a nigh-on impossible job to maintain their sublime unbeaten run in the league, and this loss should not take away from what has been a magnificent campaign so far.

Post-match reaction

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson:

“It’s definitely a statement performance and win for us, not a statement to anyone else, but for ourselves.

“I said after the Middlesbrough game that the game should give us even more belief because it’s been growing, we’ve had some terrific performances.

“But tonight, I’m very pleased against an excellent side.”

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard:

“We dropped our standards a bit, standards that we’ve been really consistent with, and when that happens you can lose a game.

“You have to credit the opposition, they made it difficult for us. And even in the first half at 1-0 I felt we were a bit off it.

“At the top end of the pitch we weren’t securing the ball as we normally do. If you drop your standards, you can lose a game. It’s a fact.”

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Source: BBC