Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Ricketts is determined to avoid Seagulls upset
WESTON-SUPER-MARE will try to pull off an FA Cup shock tomorrow when they host National League leaders Wrexham in the first round.
The Seagulls are bottom of the National League South, but have improved of late with a 1-0 win at Hungerford and 3-3 draw at Dulwich Hamlet in their last two outings.
Wrexham boss Sam Ricketts, though, has urged his players to “seize the opportunity”.
This season is the first time since 2014-15 that the Welsh side have progressed beyond the qualifying rounds, that term seeing Kevin Wilkin’s men advance to the third round where they ran Premier League side Stoke City close before being eliminated.
Wrexham have been synonymous with famous giant-killing acts during their history, including their 1992 win over Arsenal, and while Ricketts insists the league is their priority, he admits that an extended run in the FA Cup would be welcome.
However, he stressed he is not overlooking the challenge of the Seagulls, who are managed by his former Nuneaton Borough teammate Marc McGregor. Ricketts, pictured, said: “If we just turn up expecting to win the game then we won’t, simple as that. The rewards are there for us to win this game and hopefully have a good cup run. I keep stressing to the players, telling them to seize an opportunity.”
He added: “We’ll have the same preparation, we’re not taking anything lightly, training won’t be any easier or different. We will be flat out to go and win this game exactly like we are at every league game.”
The Dragons are unbeaten in their last nine outings in league and cup, the Seagulls unbeaten in three.