Andy Morrell couldn’t hide his delight after his FA Cup warriors were handed a potential fourth round home encounter with Premier League giants Newcastle United.
A 1-1 draw with Brighton meant that Wrexham were in the hat for the next stage of the competition, and the club’s supporters will be licking their lips in anticipation of a potentially lucrative clash with Alan Pardew’s Magpies on the weekend of January 28/29.
“I am delighted,” said Morrell who played for Newcastle Blue Star while at Northumbria University. “I spent four years up there and watched them a few times so I am pleased.
“I have said all along that I wanted a home tie and that is what we have got. I am sure the club’s owners will have wanted an away tie though!”
The draw will evoke memories of Wrexham’s FA Cup fourth round classics against The Magpies in the 1977/78 season.
Wrexham drew 2-2 at St James’s Park before thrashing them 4-1 at The Racecourse in the replay.
Red’s legend Dixie McNeil scored twice in both games and said: “I knew my phone would be ringing after that draw.
“It would be great to be away and have a crowd of 50,000, but what a perfect incentive for the players to beat Brighton in the replay.”
Morrell agrees with McNeil’s view and added: “It is a nice carrot for the players.
“My team talk won’t be too tricky when we come to play Brighton in the replay.
“But I am sure Brighton will be equally keen to play Newcastle. It makes no difference to us though, the replay with Brighton was a big game before the draw and it still is.”
Morrell had not had contact with any of his players, the club’s owners or supporters last night, but expected to be inundated with calls.
“My phone is going off as I expect it will be ringing non-stop!” added Morrell who believes Wrexham thoroughly deserved their draw against Brighton after creating the match’s best scoring opportunities.
Wrexham held their Championship opponents to a 1-1 draw at The Amex Stadium in Saturday’s FA Cup tie after striker Adrian Cieslewicz cancelled out Jake Forster-Caskey’s opener.
Midfielder Jamie Tolley almost scored an injury time winner as his shot was parried by keeper Peter Brezovan, and Morrell was delighted with his side’s performance.
“I am walking around in that technical area – I can’t watch because I am that nervous,” said Morrell, who substituted himself with 13 minutes remaining. “And we maybe could have nicked it at the end.
“It sat lovely for Jamie and he hit it sweet as a nut but straight at the keeper. Then he fired one across and Jake Speight swung and missed it.
“But I think a draw was probably fair. I know Brighton had a lot of possession but, chances wise, we probably had the better ones.
“I am delighted and made up for the lads. We will take them back to our place and see how we go.
“We will prepare like we have done for today and try our best. We will put out a team that we think is going to do it, and hopefully we might be able to get that winner this time.”
Wrexham’s defending was particularly impressive as they restricted Brighton to shots from outside the area.
“I am made up for the lads. The effort they put in was frightening,” said Morrell.
“They have done it all season to be fair and I think we gave a good account of ourselves even though we had long periods without the ball, we were able to keep our shape.
“Our season has been built on our defence and they were fantastic. Apart from the goal, Brighton only created chances and shots from outside the box so I was happy with that.”
Brighton took the lead three minutes into the second half but Wrexham did not let their heads drop and Cieslewicz levelled in the 62nd minute after beating two defenders.
It was Cieslewicz’s fourth goal in eight outings, and fifth of the campaign, and Morrell was full of praise for the Pole.
“It was a bit of a kick up the backside straight after half time and I suppose you fear for the worst coming to a team like this that keeps the ball so well,” said Morrell.
“You fear you are not going to get it back to have a chance to score.
“But when you have got someone like Adrian in your team, who can do that to good teams, you have always got a chance and I thought it was a great goal.
“I am made up for him and he deserves all the press that he is getting at the minute.”