Dragons look to bounce back after Trophy exit

RACECOURSE WREXHAM v DOVER ATH 3pm BOUNCING back will be the aim for Wrexham today when they entertain fellow promotion hopefuls Dover Athletic at the Racecourse.

The Dragons are aiming to avoid a third defeat on the spin after losses at home by lower division Harrogate 2-0 in the FA Trophy – which followed on from a desperately disappointing 4-1 reverse at Macclesfield in their last National League outing.

It’s the first time this season Dean Keates’ side have suffered back-to-back defeats.

Both Wrexham and Dover have enjoyed a spell on top of the table this season while Keates’ side are currently sat third, level on points with Sutton United who they trail only on goals scored, while are two points behind leaders Macclesfield.

Dover, meanwhile are just a point behind Wrexham in fourth, and won the reverse fixture between the sides at the Crabble Athletic Ground 1-0 back in August – with ex-Newport County striker Ryan Bird’s goal the difference between the sides.

“It is going to be a very tough game, as it was down there,” said boss Keates.

“They have a way of operating and it is hard to come up against.

“I’ve watched that game we lost to them back, as we do every game, and we had two massive chances in the first two minutes, and I think if we take either of them then it is a totally different game.

“They put you under a lot of pressure, with a lot of balls into the box, they are very direct, mark man-to-man all over the park and it is a different challenge for me and my staff to look at to get ourselves ready for.

“We’ve turned the corner now and are playing teams for the second time.

“We are evolving, we are going to get better and we are going to have blips.

“We’ve had blips and reacted so, all being well, we can get another reaction this weekend.”

Keates made numerous changes as his side were dumped out of the FA Trophy by National League North side Harrogate last weekend – but has no regrets.

“It was an opportunity to give minutes to players that have been on the fringe,” he said.

“We are going to need them with the amount of games coming up in a short space of time.”