Let’s keep our good run going!
By RICHARD WILLIAMS
29 December 2006
MIKE INGHAM is confident Wrexham can extend their unbeaten run over the festive period against Hereford United at Edgar Street tomorrow (12 noon).
Wrexham head to Hereford on the back of a 1-0 victory against Darlington and 2-2
draw against Rochdale on Boxing Day.
And although Ingham knows that Hereford will be difficult opponents, the Reds
goalkeeper said the Reds are going into the game looking for a favourable result
ahead of the New Year’s Day showdown at The Racecourse with Accrington Stanley.
“Hopefully we can take our good recent form into tomorrow’s match,” Ingham said
today. “Our away form has not been the best but we have been playing some good
stuff lately and are growing in confidence.
“If we can play like we have the last six games – Boston apart – there is no
reason why we can’t get three points. Hereford is a tough place to go and it
won’t be easy, but hopefully we can win.
“We are going there to win and it is a chance for us to get three points.
“And a win would be great going into the game against Accrington Stanley on New
Year’s Day. Everyone is looking forward to that game because of what happened
there earlier in the season. We want to put that to rest.”
Although four points have been secured from the previous two outings, Wrexham
missed out on a great chance of claiming two consecutive victories at Rochdale.
Wrexham led 2-0 but allowed Rochdale to hit back and claim a point, and Ingham
admitted that the Reds have to finish games off.
“I was disappointed with myself for the first goal,” said Ingham. “It was my
fault. The lad had got the better of Mike Williams but I couldn’t get to the
ball. But I was happy with myself after that and I made two good saves. But when
we are 2-0 up we have got to learn to kill teams off.”
Wrexham manager Denis Smith was also disappointed that his side are not heading
to Hereford on the back of two consecutive victories.
“We are unbeaten over the festive period but I am not particularly happy because
it should have been two wins,” said Smith today. “Once you get in a situation of
being 2-0 up, you should take advantage of it so it was very disappointing.
“Two wins out of two would have been nice, even if the second one had been
unjust.
“We are drawing too many games and I want us to start picking up three points.
And if we play like we do at home when we are away, we would be winning.”
Lee McEvilly scored his first goal of the season in the 2-2 draw at Rochdale
while leading scorer Chris Llewellyn took his tally for the season to nine.
And Smith, who was without a trio of injured strikers and handed Marc Williams a
second consecutive starting place, praised the pair’s contribution.
“Lee did okay against Rochdale but he is nowhere near ready,” said Smith. “The
thing is with Lee is that he will always score goals. He believes he will score
and you need players like that.
“I know Chris can play up front, but he was not brought here to play in that
position. But Chris has been excellent and scoring goals which is great.”
Hereford, who have returned to the Football League following nine seasons in the
Conference, are currently 10th in the League Two table.
And Smith believes Graham Turner’s side will be eager to continue their
impressive campaign.
“Hereford are an organised and well run club. They have been doing well and will
want to push on,” added Smith. “No professional club should ever be content, and
I am sure they are not.
“Hereford will be expecting to win because of our away record. We have to make
sure we play better.”
A
presentation will be made on New Year’s Day prior to Wrexham’s match against
Accrington Stanley at The Racecourse.
Historian and author Gareth Davies will present Accrington with a
commemorative ball following their return to the Football League after a 44
year absence. Accrington and Wrexham both joined Division Three North in 1921.
Meanwhile Wrexham boss Smith has denied any interest in Welsh Premier League
striker Rhys Griffiths.
BBC Wales had reported that the Reds were interested in 26-year-old Llanelli
striker Griffiths, who claimed the Welsh Premier League’s Golden Boot award
after scoring 28 goals for Port Talbot last season before moving to Llanelli
in the summer.