WREXHAM have avoided their Conference rivals in the FA Trophy but player-boss Andy Morrell knows Sutton United won’t be pushovers when they meet in the third round.
Wrexham will face Conference South outfit Sutton at The Borough Sports Ground in the last 16 of the competition on Saturday January 12.
Asked whether he was glad Wrexham hadn’t been paired with the likes of Grimsby or Luton Town, Morrell said: “If you are going to go along and do well in the competition, at some point you are going to have to.
“I would rather be at home but it is not to be. But it is probably better if we are not on our pitch at the minute to try and give it a rest.”
Victory over Sutton will put Wrexham in the quarter-finals and one step closer to a possible Wembley final, something Morrell is only too aware of.
“The first few rounds you try and get through if you can,” said Morrell. “I don’t think you realise how close you are to getting to Wembley so that is what we try to stress before the game.
“It is not an easy one by any means and we will look forward to it. It is a chance to get through I suppose but it is a long trip.”
Wrexham reached this stage of the competition thanks to a 3-2 victory over Solihull Moors at The Racecourse on Saturday, with the Reds twice coming from behind thanks to equalisers from Brett Ormerod and Adrian Cieslewicz.
Skipper Dean Keates scored the winner from the penalty spot and although he admitted his side were not at their best, Morrell was just pleased to progress.
“I watched the game back and we were getting on towards 60 times where we made four or more passes,” said Morrell. “We had a lot of possession, especially in the first half, it is just that final bit of care to open that door.
“We had a couple of good chances and hit the keeper, we just took our foot off the gas a little bit and a few people coasted though a game that they thought was a comfortable game but it is not.
“But I am glad to just come out the other end of it with a win. We scored three goals but we are conceding a few too many.
“We have got a few bits to work on this week ready to take into Friday’s game.”
Third placed Wrexham face Grimsby, the side immediately above them in the table, at Blundell Park on Friday and Morrell is expecting his players to be fired up as they continue their promotion push.
“It is going to be a tough game but one we can look forward to,” said Morrell. “We seem to, touch wood, do alright against the teams at the top.
“We have done okay against Newport, Forest Green and Luton away, we normally struggle against the teams lower down.
“These are the games you want to play in the league, I am sure the lads are looking forward to it and be bang at it hopefully.
“You have got to try and win every game and if you can beat the teams around you, they can’t get the three points and you can.
“We will go there, give it our all and try to come back with three points.”
Striker Rob Ogleby, stretchered off against Solihull following a clash of heads, is doubtful for the Grimsby clash but Morrell had better news regarding other players.
“Rob is struggling, he has had a few days at home with his parents which will be good for him,” added Morrell.
“Danny Alfei has got a slight knee problem but nothing too serious and Chris Westwood did a bit outside so he might be back.
“Danny Wright trained yesterday so he could feature and Glen Little’s had a bit more as well so we shouldn’t be too bad for Friday.”
FA Trophy third round draw: King’s Lynn Town v Stockport County or Southport; Dartford v Bromley; Welling United v Grimsby Town; FC Halifax Town or Maidstone United v Chelmsford City; Gateshead v Barrow; Gainsborough Trinity v Tamworth or Corby Town; Luton Town v Skelmersdale.