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David Rhodes

I must stress this is a ticket-only game and that means you must have a ticket before going to turnstiles

ON-THE-CLIMB Wrexham expect a bumper crowd of between 8,000-9,000 for Saturday's second division blockbuster against Sheffield Wednesday, 1pm. The match is ticket-only which means fans must have tickets before they go to turnstiles.

Wednesday's loyal fan base boosted Tranmere's attendance yesterday to 9,645. The Owls were two up with goals by Graeme Lee and Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu after 20 minutes. Rovers wrenched a point with goals in the last 14 minutes from Gary Jones and Ryan Taylor.

Wrexham chief executive David Rhodes said today: "Sheffield Wednesday have taken their full allocation of 3,000 tickets and if they all go we should be looking at a crowd of between 8,000-9,000. But I must stress this is a ticket-only game and that means you must have a ticket before going to turnstiles.

"The ticket office is open this week for sales. We are open today and tomorrow from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. and on Wednesday we are open from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. We are also open from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. on Saturday."

Wrexham have shot up to sixth after two wins over Christmas. They had a laboured 1-0 win at Stockport County on Boxing Day and beat Blackpool 4-2 yesterday before a crowd of just over 6,000.

Rhodes said: "That included 1,240 from Blackpool but we were very encouraged with the crowd. It just goes to show what a winning side can do to attendances and hopefully we're on target for another big one this Saturday."

Manager Denis Smith gambled on changes yesterday but they paid dividends. He left out experienced centre-back Brian Carey and Shaun Pejic and Jim Whitley made way for the return of skipper Darren Ferguson from a three-match ban. Carey came on early in the second-half for Craig Morgan and Whitley replaced the injured Steve Roberts soon after. Pejic was not in the 16.

Smith said: "I could have ended up with egg on my face but it all worked out well in the end. I was pleased with the overall performance and I was particularly pleased for the lads who got the goals." Chris Llewellyn and Hector Sam scored two apiece as rampant Wrexham took their chances after missing a host at Stockport.

Llewellyn's only previous league goal this season was a cracker he scored in the 3-2 win at Hillsborough. He missed a sitter at rainswept Stockport but put that behind him with a fabulous first goal before doubling his tally yesterday. Sam has also had to take some stick this season but silenced his critics with two well-taken goals.

Wrexham begin the defence of the FAW Premier Cup with a quarter-final tie at TNS on January 27, 6:55 p.m. The match is being shown live on BBC Wales. Holders Wrexham won the trophy and its £100,000 prize-money with a convincing win over Newport County last season.