Wrexham Evening Leader

Foy’s the boy for Denis

12/12/05

Robbie FoyDENIS SMITH today sang the praises of Robbie Foy for rescuing a point for Wrexham.

Wrexham dominated the first half against Notts County without finding the target and fell behind just five minutes from time.

Reds’ boss Smith immediately threw on striker Foy, who is on loan at The Racecourse until next month, and the Scottish under 21 international grabbed his third goal in Wrexham colours with the equaliser three minutes into injury time.

Foy had been ill all week with the flu and Smith was delighted the Liverpool man came up with the goods, even if his strike did not earn the Reds maximum points.

“I was just going to put Robbie on to win the game. Unfortunately he had to save it. I put him on to get a goal and at 0-0 that was to try and get the winner,” Smith said today.

“I had a long chat with Robbie before the game, he was still coughing and spluttering – he had not been well at all in the week and missed the game on Tuesday –- but he said he was fine and he came on and proved that.

“I didn’t want to give Robbie too long but I’m delighted with what he did because I think a defeat would have been a travesty. I think we played extremely well.

“Robbie gives us another option, something different. When teams are tired he can open them up and he took his goal very well.”

CHANCES

But Smith believes Wrexham should have put the game beyond doubt following a first half in which they dominated and created a host of chances

Striker Jon Walters had an early goal ruled out for a push in the build up and Smith said if that had stood, it would have changed the whole complexion of the game.

“The game should have been well over by half-time. I thought we played tremendously well in the first half and I’ll be interested to see why the referee disallowed Jon Walters’ goal,” said Smith.

“I have seen it on the television and they could not see anything wrong with it, their lad just went to ground.

“That would have changed the whole complex of the game. If we’d have got that one – we deserved at least one in the first half – then their tactics would have been different and you’d have seen a different game.

“We were by far the better team in the first half, but you have got to turn that into goals and that usually happens. You don’t want half-time to come because it is hard to go and start doing it again.

“We didn’t really get into a rhythm second half but I still thought we were the better team after the break so to be losing 1-0 was disappointing.”

Wrexham still command one of the best home records in League Two and they are now eighth in the table going into a hectic festive schedule.

Smith remains focussed on gaining promotion with the Reds and said his team’s style of play has earned the respect of other clubs in the division.”

“Winning and getting promotion is important. Where we get the points from I don’t really care. It is nice to get them in front of your home supporters and we had a super crowd on Saturday,” added Smith.

“I sure they enjoyed it, especially the first half when there was some tremendous football played. Unfortunately we could not turn that into goals.

“We will keep at it, there is still room for improvement, which we know, but the fact is teams are treating us with a great deal of respect and that is pleasing.”