Dragons look to slay another giant in cup

THE RACECOURSE tomorrow, 12.45pm

WREXHAM v ROCHDALE

WREXHAM find themselves in familiar territory as they prepare to face Football League opposition in the FA Cup in the shape of League One Rochdale tomorrow.

Last season, Wrexham reached the FA Cup second round where they were beaten in a replay by Newport County.

Rochdale have had a mixed start to the 2019-20 campaign and currently lie in 15th place after losing 1-0 at home to leaders Ipswich Town on Tuesday.

But they impressed as they took Manchester United to penalties in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford in September.

Wrexham last played the ‘Dale during the Dragons’ most recent season the Football

League in 2007-08, which saw the Greater Manchester side win 2-0 at The Racecourse.

And manager Dean Keates is looking forward to see his team test themselves against Brian Barry-Murphy’s side.

“It will be an interesting game for us,” Keates told the club’s official website.

“Having watched Rochdale the last couple of games and seen them live the other night against Ipswich, it is going to be a very difficult game for us.

“They are a very good footballing team.”

Keates has his own special memories of the FA Cup calling it the ‘most famous cup in the world” and recalled when he played for Walsall at Manchester United in the fourth round in 1998, a game which the Saddlers lost 5-1.

“To get the feelgood factor when it starts and you always want to be that giant-killing

“I’ve had good days as player in it and I’ve had bad days as well but the fond one for myself was the opportunity to go and play at Old Trafford many years ago.”

Wrexham go into the game on the back of a 1-0 home win against leaders Bromley which ended a run of six league games without a victory.