Wrexham

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Wrexham kick off their FA Cup campaign on Sunday against familiar opposition.

The Red Dragons have faced Harrogate Town on 10 occasions since 2016, with meetings coming in the National League, League Two, the FA Trophy and the FA Cup.

Wrexham have won three, Harrogate two, while five have ended in draws.

The last FA Cup encounter was 6 November 2021 - Wrexham were playing in the National League at the time while Harrogate were pushing for promotion in League Two.

Wrexham had taken the lead thanks to a Jordan Ponticelli goal, but they were left kicking themselves after conceding two sloppy goals in the second half, with substitutes Simon Power and Danilo Orsi the beneficiaries.

Amid a Hollywood takeover, Wrexham have since leapfrogged Harrogate into League One and will be looking for a good cup run this season as they push for another promotion.

Phil Parkinson’s side made it to the fourth round last term, before losing 4-1 to Blackburn Rovers.

Wrexham's best ever run was in the 1996-1997 season when they made it to the quarter-finals before losing 1-0 to Chesterfield.

Safe to say a lot has changed since then.

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Wrexham fans will presumably be hoping for an FA Cup run featuring a plum draw at some point this season.

Nothing unusual there.

But what may be different for Wrexham in the cup is that these days, they are viewed as glamorous opponents.

Phil Parkinson’s team are in first-round action at Harrogate Town on Sunday, with the game switched from Saturday having been selected for live television coverage.

And though the tie is being televised – and the clubs were in the same division last season - it seems the prospect of Wrexham coming to town has captured the imagination in Harrogate.

Speaking to BBC Radio York earlier this month, after her club came out of the hat alongside Wrexham, Harrogate chief executive Sarah Barry said: “The initial reaction was a bit mixed because our objective is to get through to round two and then the third round and this is going to be one of the toughest draws in terms of the football.

“But we are really excited, and the best measure in terms of the interest in this match is that my commercial director within about two minutes of the draw said that the hospitality has nearly sold out.”

Having Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has brought many benefits for Wrexham, who have delivered two successive promotions and are in the mix – albeit at an early stage of the season – for a third.

But the north Wales club's increased profile, as well as the successes they have enjoyed, have combined to make them one of the biggest potential scalps in the early rounds of the cup.

It is likely to take a decent shift from whichever team Parkinson picks, therefore, if Wrexham are to progress this weekend.

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There was huge frustration for all at Wrexham following their controversial 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic last Saturday.

Matt Godden's penalty in added time earned the Addicks a draw at The Valley, although Phil Parkinson was left incensed by the award of the spot-kick for a handball against Max Cleworth.

Nevertheless, Wrexham are third in League One and remain just four points adrift of leaders Birmingham City as they switch their focus to an FA Cup first round encounter at Harrogate Town on Sunday (15:30 GMT).

So there is plenty to be positive about as league action briefly takes a back seat.

But how exactly do Wrexham currently stack up when it comes to those who have gained promotion from the third tier over recent years?

Parkinson's side have collected 25 points from a possible 39 so far this season, at a rate of 1.92 points per game.

Using these figures as guidelines, Wrexham will end the campaign on 88 points if they maintain their current levels.

Since the English Football league (EFL) was rebranded for the 2004-05 campaign, teams finishing as champions of League One end the season with an average of 94 points.

Wolves' tally of 103 points during 2013-14 is the highest ever total gained in League One, while Southend United went up as champions with just 82 points in 2005-06 - the lowest return of a side to finish top.

As for the side gaining promotion into the Championship by coming second, they finish with an average of 88 points, the exact same total Wrexham are currently on target to hit.

Ipswich Town, now in the Premier League, gained a remarkable 98 points in 2022-23, a record for a side finishing second. Colchester United hold the record for the lowest number of points gained (79 in 2005-06) for a side finishing second in League One.

With a powerhouse like Birmingham City in the division, clinching the title will certainly be a difficult task this season.

But history shows that Wrexham - despite frustration at Charlton - remain firmly on course to be contenders to secure a third successive promotion under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, whether it be automatically or via the play-offs.

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George Dobson believes Wrexham's squad depth will afford certain fringe players the chance to impress in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Phil Parkinson's side are in first-round action at Harrogate Town on Sunday (15:30 GMT) as they look to continue their strong recent record in the competition.

Indeed, Wrexham have reached the fourth round of the cup contest in each of the past two seasons under Parkinson.

And midfielder Dobson believes the trip to League Two Harrogate will be beneficial for players eager to get further minutes under the belt.

"We have a huge squad so there’s going to be a lot of players hopefully getting minutes," he told BBC Radio Wales.

Should Wrexham overcome Harrogate, they will be just one step away from potentially facing Premier League sides in round three.

"It’s a great opportunity to get to the third round and having a really good game hopefully against a real big boy," added Dobson.

"I know the club have done really well in the last couple of years, so hopefully we can do it again."

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George Dobson says Wrexham are in “a really good place” despite their frustration over Saturday’s draw at Charlton Athletic.

Wrexham were heading for victory at The Valley until a contentious penalty saw the Addicks snatch a point in the seventh minute of added time.

Former Charlton player Dobson said the decision to penalise Max Cleworth for handball was incorrect – but insists Wrexham should not be downcast.

“We will lick our wounds because it was such a good performance,” he said.

“We were well worthy of the win so it’s obviously very disappointing, but we have just got to stay positive because we played really well.

“We are still in a really good place going into the FA Cup and then we’ll get back to the league action.”

Wrexham go to Harrogate in the cup next Sunday having lost only one of their last seven League One games.

Phil Parkinson’s team are third in the table, a point behind second-placed Wycombe Wanderers and four adrift of leaders Birmingham City.

They return to league action with a home game against Mansfield Town on 9 November.

“I thought we played really well [at Charlton] but that last 30 seconds, it’s a big learning curve for us,” Dobson added.

“You come away from home, a big crowd - it’s a tough game but we played really well. So it’s a real kick in the teeth, but there are so many positives.

“We are still in a really good place going into the FA Cup and then we’ll get back to the league action.”

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Phil Parkinson blasted referee Andy Dale's decision to award Charlton Athletic a late spot-kick as his Wrexham side drew 2-2 with the Addicks.

The Welsh side looked on course for victory at the Valley as Andy Cannon added to a Conor Coventry own goal - with Macaulay Gillesphey netting for the hosts.

But Nathan Jones' side were given a penalty in the 97th minute after Max Cleworth was adjudged to have handled the ball.

Matt Godden fired past Arthur Okonkwo from 12 yards out to ensure the points were shared, and Parkinson was left incensed with Dale - who replaced Sam Purkiss as referee midway through the opening half.

"It's never a penalty in a million years, Max has got his arm down by his side. If that happens 50 times, the ref might give it once," said Parkinson.

"We're frustrated because we had the ball in the corner, we should have kept it in the corner, we know that, the lads got out.

"We've restricted a team to long diagonal balls against us, we've controlled the game and we've played some unbelievable football. I feel for the lads.

"The substitution referee comes on. Is he up to the job? Clearly not, because there's only one big decision that he had to get right in the game, and he's got it wrong.

"I just want to know how he can give that as a penalty. All of the rules I know about handball clearly state that wouldn't be a penalty.

"His arm is in a natural position, he actually tried to pull it away. Very, very harsh."

Parkinson was shown a yellow card by Dale after attempting to speak to the official at full time.

"I tried (to speak to the referee), he showed me a yellow," added Parkinson.

"I was perfectly civil to him at the time, but that's another showing of his inexperience."