by David Lovett
04/11/02
WREXHAM
today began preparing for their own firework show on Saturday.
Third-placed Bournemouth are at The Racecourse and manager Denis Smith sees it as another chance for his side to climb into the promotion pack. The 1-0 win at Southend lifted Wrexham up to ninth and Smith still believes automatic promotion is not beyond his side.
He said: “I would prefer to be sitting at the top of the League than in ninth position. But I still believe that come the end of the season we will be up there. I hope to be in the top three - at least.
“From what I’ve seen so far in this division we’ve got as good a chance as anyone to make it. I don’t think you should ever discount the chances of making automatic promotion.
“People will say it’s far too early yet to be making statements like that, but I’ve never been a fence-sitter and I’m not going to change my style now. I speak my mind and people can make their own minds up about that.”
MATCH-WINNER
Wrexham showed at rain-swept Roots Hall they are capable of scoring - and defending. Stephen Thomas came off the substitute’s bench after only 13 minutes to replace the limping Paul Barrett - and was again Wrexham’s match-winner.
Andy Morrell, who worked hard up front with Lee Trundle, forced goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan into a spectacular flying stop and Thomas thundered home the rebound.
“It was a terrific strike,” said Smith. “Ozzie has the ability to get goals from midfield and that’s a big part of his game we are working on. He scored a terrific winner against Huddersfield Town in the LDV Vans Trophy and the one he got on Saturday was equally as good. Great strike.”
Smith was also impressed with his side’s defending. Goalkeeper Paul Whitfield played out of his skin and in front of him Brian Carey was again in commanding form in the middle of Shaun Pejic and Dan Bennett.
Smith said: “Paul Whitfield has done fantastically well for us since coming in to deputise for Andy Dibble. I had to play Paul because second choice keeper, Kristian Rogers, was also injured at the time but the kid’s done great.”
Whitfield made crucial saves before and after Thomas’ winner and there were also other exceptional performances. Skipper Darren Ferguson was outstanding in midfield and Morrell and Trundle’s work-rate up front was brilliant.
Smith said: “Trunds’ worked terrifically hard as did Andy Morrell. I also thought Jim Whitley was outstanding in midfield. He closes people down so quickly but, having said that, I thought he should have scored when he was played in by Trunds’ late on.
“Southend had a go at us in the second-half but we were always up to it. Some of the teams we’ve played so far in the third division don’t just lump it upfield. They get the ball down and try to play which suits us.”