Shaun Pearson believes success remains within Wrexham’s reach despite their crushing 4-0 defeat against Newport County in the Emirates FA Cup.
Dragons captain Pearson even believes the boys from North Wales could yet finish the season with two trophies.
Promotion to the Football League has to be their priority – Wrexham are currently fourth in the Vanarama National League – while they also entertain Boston United in the Buildbase FA Trophy at the Racecourse this Saturday.
Yorkshireman Pearson played in an FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium when he was in a Grimsby Town team edged out by his current club, Wrexham, after a penalty shootout.
He is also a former Boston player of the year, winning that award twice plus helping the club gain promotion to National League North, and says: “I have real fond memories of playing for Boston.
“I’ve also played in the final of the competition and we have to remember that Wrexham are among the highest ranked teams in the competition.”
Pearson has played at Wembley twice, having been in the Grimsby team who defeated Forest Green Rovers 3-1 in the National League promotion final two years ago when Omar Bogle, later to join Cardiff City, scored twice.
“Having been to Wembley twice I know the FA Trophy final is not too far away even now,” said Pearson.
“We have great support as a club with more than 500 fans travelling to Newport. They applauded the lads off at the end despite our defeat and every player really appreciates and treasures that support.
“It’s important they stick with us. We hope to repay them in the League – and all of us are intent on making progress in the FA Trophy.”
Wrexham have some massive fixtures coming up including home and away clashes with National League promotion rivals Salford City.
After Saturday’s home tie against National League North team Boston, the Dragons face Aldershot away (Saturday, December 22), Salford home (Boxing Day), Solihull Moors (Saturday, December 29) and Salford away (New Year’s Day).
Wrexham were without injury Manny Smith and Kevin Roberts at Newport, while Luke Young is now suspended after being sent off after only 12 minutes at Rodney Parade.
Defender Smith missed out after feeling a reaction during the 2-0 win against Eastleigh, his first appearance after more than three months out injured.
“The League is out priority, but we want to make progress in the FA Trophy and Boston has to be our focus now,” says Wrexham interim manager Graham Barrow.
Vanarama National League top five
| P | W | D | L | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Leyton Orient | 24 | 14 | 8 | 2 | +30 | 50 |
| 2 | Salford | 24 | 14 | 7 | 3 | +26 | 49 |
| 3 | Harrogate T | 24 | 13 | 7 | 4 | +19 | 46 |
| 4 | Wrexham | 23 | 13 | 7 | 3 | +16 | 46 |
| 5 | Solihull M | 23 | 13 | 5 | 5 | +13 | 44 |
FA Trophy first round proper (ties to be played Saturday, December 15 with winning clubs receiving £6,000 from The FA prize fund).
The Final will be staged at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, May 19.
Northern section draw:
1 Southport or Chester v Solihull Moors
2 Lancaster City or Guiseley v Blyth Spartans
3 AFC Fylde v Stratford Town
4 Salford City v Gateshead
5 Chesterfield v Basford United
6 Wrexham v Boston United
7 Barrow v FC Halifax Town
8 Harrogate Town v York City
9 Leamington v Hartlepool United
10 Workington v Pickering Town or Ramsbottom United
11 Spennymoor Town v Stamford or Barwell
12 Altrincham v Stockport County
13 AFC Telford United v Farsley Celtic
Southern section draw:
1 Chippenham Town or Wingate & Finchley v Welling United or Dulwich Hamlet
2 Biggleswade Town v Wealdstone
3 Maidenhead United v Oxford City
4 Hereford v Billericay Town
5 Aldershot Town v Bedford Town
6 Carshalton Athletic v Dorking Wanderers
7 Lewes or Hemel Hempstead Town v Eastleigh
8 Dover Athletic v Havant & Waterlooville
9 Woking v Maidstone United
10 Ebbsfleet United v Dagenham & Redbridge
11 Barnet v Bath City
12 Bromley v Sutton United
13 Truro City v Weston Super Mare
14 Salisbury v Braintree Town
15 Boreham Wood v Torquay United
16 Leyton Orient v Beaconsfield Town
17 Brackley Town v Hayes & Yeading United or Brightlingsea Regent
18 Weymouth or St Albans City v Royston Town or Needham Market
19 Eastbourne Borough or Dartford v Dorchester Town
Flashback to the 2013 FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium:
Wrexham became the first Welsh club to lift the FA Trophy after a 4-1 penalty shootout win over Grimsby, who included Shaun Pearson, at Wembley.
Johnny Hunt scored Wrexham’s winning penalty after Sam Hatton and Richard Brodie missed kicks for Grimsby.
Wrexham won against their Blue Square Bet Premier promotion rivals Grimsby in front more than 35,000 fans.
The score was 1-1 after 90 minutes and the teams could not be separated in extra time.
Cieslewicz, Wright, Westwood all found the net for Wrexham, but Hatton hit the post with Grimsby’s first effort and Brodie blazed over.
Colbeck netted for Grimsby 22-year-old Hunt netted Wrexham’s fourth spot-kick and sealed their victory.
Grimsby: McKeown, Hatton, Thomas, Pearson, Miller, Colbeck, Disley, Artus, Cook, Hannah (Thanoj 55), Marshall (Brodie 87). Subs not used: Devitt, Wood, John-Lewis.
Wrexham: Maxwell, Stephen Wright, Riley, Harris, Danny Wright, Ormerod (Ogleby 77), Morrell (Cieslewicz 60), Keates, Hunt, Westwood, Thornton. Subs not used: Coughlin, Clarke, Little.