Wrexham FC manager Bryan Hughes.

Wrexham Take On Ayr United’s Scottish Cup Challenge In Bid To Regain Winning National League Form

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Wrexham are hoping a Scottish Cup competition will help them fire up their Vanarama National League form.

The Dragons are without a win in their last five matches – three points from a possible 15 – and now turn to a home tie against Ayr United in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup.

Wrexham join Welsh Premier League clubs Connah’s Quay Nomads and the New Saints in the competition, which attracts teams from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Nomads play Cove Rangers at home, while TNS travel to Stenhousemuir.

Wrexham are 16th in the National League table and the clash with Ayr gives players a chance to put worries about their potential promotion bid.

The 2-2 home draw against Maidenhead was another blow for manager Bryan Hughes and his Dragons team.

“I wasn’t happy with the first half performance because we got into a fight with them,” said Hughes. “We knew what their strengths are – they had won four times, direct and aggressive in their approach.

“I wanted us to be more proactive and get into our flow. We were on top, but we have to use the ball better. That was our game plan.

“We are also giving goals away and Maidenhead went in front when Luke young put the ball into his own net.

“After our equaliser we felt we could go in and win game. I saw nothing in them during the first half that we were really worried about. There was also a belief and desire to take the game to them in the second half. We did that, but it was slowed down because of the way they sat in.

“We went 2-1 ahead, but then switched off at a corner and Maidenhead earned a draw.

“Akil Wright could have had a hat-trick. He has three glorious chances from 6/7/8 yards out and we have to take those, especially in our position where we are in with the little blip.”

Wrexham captain Shaun Pearson understands the frustrations of Wrexham fans, saying: “It is not the start we wanted.

“Like I said to the players, fans are going to be frustrated and that is understandable. I totally get that. 

“But from a players point of view, you have got to take it on the chin and get on with it.

“You can’t mope around because games come thick and fast, and we have to be ready for them.”

Midfield player Young’s own goal after 22 minutes gave Maidenhead the lead, but he made up for that by providing an assist on Jason Oswell’s equaliser and then scoring Wrexham’s second. 

Maidenhead snatched a point after Josh Smile completed the 2-2 scoreline after 67 minutes.

Now the Dragons focus on their cup test against Ayr United at the Racecourse.

The Scottish club’s manager, Ian McCall, says the match against Wrexham is a ‘dream tie’.

“It will be a great experience to go down there and Wrexham are a club with good pedigree,” says McCall.

“I well remember Micky Thomas scoring that famous goal for them against Arsenal 20-odd years ago.

“They’ll have a good stadium. We’ll go down there and look to do ourselves proud.”

United travel south on Saturday, September 7.

Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup full first round draw: Connah’s Quay Nomads v Cove Rangers, Stenhousemuir v The New Saints, Waterford v Hearts Colts, Airdrie v Bohemians, Wrexham v Ayr United, Kelty Hearts v Solihull Moors, Ballymena United v Rangers Colts, Formartine United v Glenavon, Inverness Caley Thistle v Greenock Morton, Montrose v Partick Thistle, St Mirren Colts v Stirling Albion, Dundee United v Arbroath, Clyde v Queen of the South, Raith Rovers v Falkirk, Dundee v Elgin City, Dunfermline Athletic v Alloa Athletic.

Wrexham AFC (v Maidenhead): Dibble (gk), Jennings, Pearson (capt), Chambers, Carrington, Summerfield (McIntosh 88), Young, Wright (Redmond 82), Grant, Oswell, Tollitt (Rutherford 72). Subs not used: Szczepaniak (GK), Barton.

Maidenhead United: Ashby-Hammond (gk), Steer, Ellul (Davies 82), Fenelon (Whitehall 70), Comley, Cassidy, Nana-Twumasi, Akintunde (Mensah 64), Upward, Massey (capt), Smile. Subs not used: Sheckleford, Kelly.

Referee: Rebecca Welch (North Riding FA)

Attendance: 3667 (away 44).

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