Pre-match;
Transfer listed at his own request, Billy Ashcroft, valued at £120,000 will play. Former manager John Neal is keen to sign him at Middlesbough. Out are Griffiths and Evans who is suspended. Fitness doubt on Dwyer. 

UNHAPPY ARFON THANKS LLOYD

Ashcroft hammers home the winner.

Match Report;
Keeper Brian Lloyd kept Wrexham ahead with two fine saves at the end. Wrexham had most of the play, missed many chances and hit the woodwork twice. Two penalty appeals for fouls on Mickey Thomas were also turned down.
Ashcroft scored the only goal of the match, having been put through by Shinton in the 40th minute. A disappointing performance overall against the 4th division side, who improved as the game progressed.

WREXHAM THROUGH DESPITE LATE SHOCK

Match Report;
The home side put Wrexham through their paces in the first half with a spirited performance. Shinton and Ashcroft came close to scoring. Wrexham's goal came from Whittle, who headed in a rebound off the bar following a smart turn and shot from Ashcroft. Griffiths, coming on as substitute, deflected a County shot past Lloyd into his own net in the last minute. Wrexham through to the next round, where they will meet Charlton Athletic at The Valley.

OWN-GOAL SHATTERS WREXHAM

Billy pokes it home!

Wrexham keeper Brian Lloyd's own goal gave Shrewsbury the points on the opening day with 7 minutes remaining, as he punched a clearance into his own net.
A bizarre goal by Ashcoft gave the Robins the lead on 30 minutes. He fell in a heap with a Shrewsbury defender and their keeper on the penalty spot, stuck out his leg to effectively roll the ball into an empty net.
Lloyd failed to control a Graham Turner header just before half time, and the home side were level. 
Despite losing, Wrexham were in good form with Shinton, Ashcroft and Lee up front and outstanding Thomas and Roberts behind them.

DRAMA AS WREXHAM MARCH ON

Match Report;
Two goals in the last ten minutes saw Wrexham through to the next round at the Valley. They played neat, superbly organised football with Davis and Roberts  at the back thwarting normally free scoring Charlton. Shinton, Lee and Cartwright came close in the first half and Lee should have netted early in the second. Flannagan put the home side ahead on 65th minute with a penalty when Roberts sent Abraham flying in the box. Wrexham came level with a magnificent piece of play by Shinton, who lobbed the ball over a line of five Charlton defenders, catching keeper Wood off his line.
Shortly after that, Roberts put a through ball to Cegielski, but Smith intercepted and slid the ball into his own net, to give Wrexham a deserved lead.
Charlton manager Andy Nelson said that Wrexham had his side on the rack from start to finish. He was only glad that Wrexham are not in their division. You have to really hold your hands up to them the way they dominated the game. 
Wrexham are drawn at home to another First Division side, Bristol City in the 3rd round  .

SUPER SHOW - THEN ARFON'S BOYS SLIP

Match Report;
Another league match without a win, which actually looked on the cards on the 68th minute, when Bobby Shinton scored his second goal, giving the Robins a 2v0 lead.
His first was a 20 yard cracker into the corner of the net on 14 minutes. Wrexham were impressive in the first half with Arfon Griffiths playing a major role. The defence was sound. Wrexham continued on top in the second half with Lee and Sutton coming close to scoring.
Shinton added his second when he slipped a left footed shot past the keeper.
Peterborough fought back within a minute when veteran Tommy Robson headed home, and Turner pulled them level following good work from Turner. Only sound tackling by Davies and Roberts saved the day for Wrexham.
At times, the visitors showed signs of being able to chase promotion again this season.

Pre-match; Arfon Griffiths parades two new signings for today's home game. Dixie McNeil of Hereford is joined by former Evertonian and current Welsh International keeper, Dai Davies. Griffiths is optimistic that his team will again be in the promotion reckoning soon. Thomas returns to midfield having played for Wales against Kuwait in mid week.

ARFON AFFORDS A £70,000 WINNING SMILE

Dixie's debut delight! 1v0 against Swindon!

Match Report;
Debutants McNeil and Davies make a big confidence boosting difference in a fine win over 6th placed Swindon Town. 8,002 supporters saw McNeil open the scoring on 17 minutes following a fine move involving Sutton and Thomas. He then laid on Wrexham's second for Whittle after 57 minutes. Davies produced a world class save. Moss scored a consolation goal for the visitors and Sutton could could have given the home a side a third. Wrexham fought for every ball in a nerve tingling and absorbing match.

Chester City programme cover courtesy of Alan Davies

STALEMATE! DRAB RIVALS FAIL TO INSPIRE IN 'DERBY'.

Pre-match; Arfon Griffiths and Alan Dwyer miss out on today's game - injury and suspension respectively. Late fitness test for Mickey Thomas and Les Carwright. Mike Williams and John Lyons called back from their loan spell at Bangor. Stuart Lee may play up front following a hat-trick for the reserves.

MASTERLY BOBBY GIVES WALSALL FANS THE BLUES

Match Report; 
Former Walsall star Shinton, masterminded this Wrexham victory with his speed and control. He laid on a 24th minute goal for a Dixie McNeil header.
Wrexham were in full control against mid-table Walsall, who had a goal disallowed, although the Robins were not quite so impressive in the second half. Former Liverpool striker Alun Evans could have levelled the score but his header was weak.
Wrexham extend their unbeaten run to seven games.

Pre-match;
Ineligibility rules out striker Dixie McNeil from tonight's game. He will be replaced by John Lyons. Dwyer is set to return after suspension but Hill had an excellent game in his place. Griffiths declared that his players were full of confidence having beaten so many First Division teams in the past. City are struggling in the league and were beaten by Everton at the weekend.

SHINTON SHATTERS CITY

Match Report;
Wrexham inspired by Bobby Shinton turned giant-killers again. His control and marksmanship made him Man of the Match. He headed home in the 51st minute, but Wrexham should have won by many more goals. City looked nothing like a First Division outfit and only managed one shot on goal in the second half.
Cartwright played Whittle in and it was his cross which resulted in Shinton's goal. Once this goal went in, only a miracle could help City.
Whittle hit the crossbar and Lyons the post.
Wrexham had a scare in the first half when City claimed a goal as the ball went through keeper Davies's legs, but the referee said play on.
Manager Griffiths claimed that City were lucky to only lose 1v0.
Another home tie awaits the Robins in the 4th Round, against Swindon Town

Pre-match; Wrexham aim to continue their succesful league run after their cup victory against Bristol City.

WREXHAM SURGE TO THE TOP
WITH BRILLIANT DISPLAY

Pre-match; Wrexham will field the team that took them to the top of the division, after a run of eight undefeated games. Plymouth, lying 15th have only lost 2 of their 7 away matches. 

THIRTY SECONDS OF MAGIC
SINK PLYMOUTH

Match Report;
The 44th minute of this game set the scene for another fine win. John Roberts headed in Shinton's corner to take the lead. Then, seconds later a long Whittle ball dropped perfectly for Shinton. Argyke keeper raced out to staop the Wrexham star, who waited his moment before chipping the ball perfectly into the visitors net.
This was not the piece of magic performed by Shinton, who in the second half , killed a through ball with his thigh, turned and hooked the ball just inches over the bar, in one flowing movement.
If Wrexham carry on in this vein, the question will be who will end up as runners up this season?

Pre-match; Mickey Thomas returns having missed the victory over Plymouth to face a side unbeaten at home all season. A draw may be enough to keep Wrexham in top spot.

ARFON'S ACES CALMLY BRUSH
PRESTON ASIDE

Sutton scores a scorcher!

Match Report; Another classy win for the Welshmen. Nobby Stiles, Preston's manager admitted that the best team won on the day.
Whittle and Shinton soon tore the home defence apart and on a similar run in the 30th minute, Shinton set up McNeil for the keeper's save to rebound to Thomas who laid the ball on for Mel Sutton to secure a first half lead.
Preston rallied a bit in the second half, but Cartwright set up Shinton in the 61st minute for the visitors' second goal. Two minutes later, Sutton became provider, lobbing the ball to McNeil to give Tunks in goal no chance. 3v0.
Top scorer Alec Bruce got one back for Preston. John Lyons replaced a limping Shinton towards the end. 

Pre-match; Top scorer Shinton passes fitness test to play. Dai Davies and Mickey Thomas also reported after playing for Wales in mid-week in Czechoslovakia. Colchester are 7th with 2 away victories in their 9 matches.
Before the match, Arfon Griffiths will be presented with a gallon bottle of whisky, his prize for being named the Third Division Manager of the Month for October.

Programme cover kindly supplied by Trevor Beal, Braintree Town

CAMERA SHY, BUT WREXHAM
PULL CLEAR AT THE TOP.

Match Report; Already Wrexham fans are chanting 'We're going to win the league' despite their off day, performance wise, in front of the Match of the Day BBC TV cameras.
Two goals in two minutes virtually sealed the game for the Robins. On 7 minutes, Gareth Davis played the ball to Cartwright  and Shinton darted in on his volley to head past keeper Walker. Seconds later a chip by Shinton found Whittle who was able to slot the ball in the net.
Steve Wignall scored for Colchester on 30 minutes.
Wrexham held out in the end with both John Roberts and Gareth Davis in complete command at the back.

Pre-match;
Burton lie second in the Southern League's Division One (North) and are not a good footballing side according to Oswestry Town's manager Idris Price whose team lost 2v1 to them last week.
But Griffiths stressed they must not be complacent against them - the cup is a great leveller and Burton have nothing to lose.

WELSH DRAGONS TOO FIERY
FOR BURTON BATTLERS

McNeil nets.

Match Report;
Burton left The Racecourse with £2,000, their share of the 6,193 gate money. Despite starting boldly, they only had two attempts on goal during the cup-tie. Their goalkeeper Barry Alcock, however became the star of the game.
Unfortunately his mistake gave Wrexham a penalty when he sent Whittle headlong from a Sutton move. Shinton scored from the spot on 33 minutes. A second penalty appeal for an alleged foul on McNeil was turned down.
Sutton split the Burton defence with a high cross which found McNeil free to head the ball simply into the net, just  five minutes into the second half.
Lyons replaced McNeil and had a goal disallowed for offside. Wrexham safely through to the second round. 

Pre-match;
Wrexham played a friendly against Bangor City which they drew 1v1. It was an opportunity for Griffiths to have a run out as Wrexham face stiff competition in the forthcoming games.

WREXHAM ROBBED
- BUT THEY CAN FEEL PLEASED

McNeil watches Whittle's headed opening goal drop in!

Match Report; 
Wrexham were denied a last minute penalty to seal another victory on their travels, as defender John Green clearly handled the ball.
Wrexham took an early 7th minute lead as Whittle headed in a Cartwright corner.
Rotherham equalised in the 35 th minute when Crawford drove home after Davies had punched out a Trevor Womble free kick. The home side extended their lead 3 minutes into the second half when Stancliffe tapped in from six yards, following a free kick.
Whittle restored some Wrexham pride with his second goal - a magnificent solo run and an unstoppable shot from 30 yards.
Mickey Thomas was the midfield dynamo who caused problems for the home side.

Pre-match;
Lyons replaces cup-tied McNeil, Roberts faces a late test as the Robins face the 1969 winners of the League Cup, currently 10th in the Third Division. The prize in the quarter finals will by either Liverpool or Coventry City. 

WREXHAM THROUGH - NOW THEY WANT LIVERPOOL IN THE QUARTER-FINALS

Match Report;
Wrexham are through to the last eight of the competition. Whittle and Shinton both had chances in the first half to break the deadlock, with Sutton masterful in midfield. Swindon nearly forged ahead just before half time, but Davies saved the day.
Gareth Davis started the move which led to Lyons' opener. The defender found Cartwright who crossed from the by-line. Lyons headed down towards Davis whose shot rebounded off the Swindon keeper and Lyons pounced to slot home on the hour.
Nine minutes later Whittle scored a controversial goal following the referee's decision to play a drop ball, rather than award the home side a corner. Shinton to Lyons and Whittle netted with a low shot.
Swindon appeared to have given up now and Wrexham could have gone further ahead with chances by Sutton, Thomas and Whittle.

Pre-match;
Lyons gives way to McNeil as he plays his first game against his former club. It's tough on Lyons who scored against Swindon in the League Cup tie. Striker Stuart Lee has asked for a transfer. 

CARTWRIGHT STAR OF THIS BONANZA

Whittle's opener.

Match Report;
Wrexham were applauded off the pitch after their unbeaten run was extended to 16 games. Les Cartwright stole the show with a spectacular goal direct from a corner kick  a minute before half time, to give the home side a 2v1 lead. His first goal for the club.
The Robins took the lead on 7 minutes, when Shinton brought a free kick from Gareth Davis under control and passed it on to Whittle who hit an angled shot in from short range. Hereford protested that Shinton handled the ball, but a goal was awarded.
Hereford keeper Mellor was constantly in action as the home side peppered his goal with shots. The Wrexham defence was so sound that Dwyer and Evans were able to push up to help the attack.
However Sheedy found the net with 15 minutes to go, from the visitors' first corner of the game.

Pre-match;
Preston, with an impressive home record, despite losing to Wrexham 3v1 earlier in the season, hope to put paid to Wrexham's cup aspirations as the visitors field the same starting line up which beat Burton in the first round. There is a doubt about Mickey Thomas's fitness though.

BREAKTHROUGH LATE IN GAME
DOES TRICK FOR WREXHAM

Match Report;
Preston, on the verge of the promotion scene, failed to impress their home supporters in the 11,134 Deepdale crowd as the Wrexham bandwagon rolls on.
The game could have gone either way until the 78th minute when Gareth Davis shot past keeper Tunks from a McNeil free kick.
Whittle later crossed for McNeil to continue his goal tally with a follow up header from a shot originally blocked by the home keeper.
Davies was kept busy in thr away goal with saves from Bruce, Elwiss and Smith.
The Robins hope for a money-spinning tie in the next round against Bristol City, already beaten by the Robins in the League Cup.

Pre-match;
Mickey Evans jarred his back in training and is a doubt for today's Boxing Day game. AlanHill is likely to deputise as the only likely change from Wrexham's cup win over Preston, to face 19th placed Bradford City.

 30 SECOND BLIP ENDS 18 MATCH RUN

Match Report;
Wrexham's first defeat in 18 matches in all games, was a lapse largely of their own doing. Their superior all-round teamwork until the last 5 minutes was marred by faulty finishing.
McNeil's 46th minute goal still looked like being a winner until Bradford won sensationally with two goals in 30 seconds through a Gareth Davis own goal, and Hutchins, who netted the winner for Bradford City.