Striker Mike Fondop has added a little spice to Tuesday’s Emirates FA Cup replay between Wrexham and Chesterfield at three Racecourse in North Wales.
Former Dragons striker Fondop scored Chesterfield’s goal and was booed by some Wrexham supporters when the teams drew 1-1 at the Proact Stadium in Derbyshire.
He described their reaction as ‘a bit pitiful’ and said: “I just let them know that yeah I am still going to be grateful for the way you guys welcomed me (to Wrexham), but if that is how you are going to answer then that was my way of replying by scoring a goal against you.
“It is a bit pitiful to be honest because you have given everything for a team. I gave everything for Wrexham. It was not the fans’ fault, it was the previous manager.
“It was his decision not to involve me in his plans so the fans were always good with me when I was there. Whether it was on or off the pitch I was receiving tons of messages of support so they have always been good with me.
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“I thought I was going to get a good reception, but maybe because I scored against them I don’t know.
“I am not going to respond to the negativity, for me it is a positive. I scored a goal for Chesterfield against Wrexham. I am happy with that.”
Fondop, aged 25, joined Wrexham during July 2018, before joining the Spireites on a one-year deal.
He fired Chesterfield ahead in the final qualifying round tie after 11 minutes and Bobby Grant equalised in the second half.
That means the teams have a replay at the Racecourse on Tuesday.
Chesterfield goalkeeping coach Mark Crossley, a 50-year-old former Wales international, says the two clubs will be ’sick of seeing each other’.
The replay means they clash for a third time in a week. Chesterfield won 1-0 at Wrexham in the Vanarama Conference and now the teams have fought out a draw and still have to sort out who goes into the first round.
“Back to Wrexham on Tuesday, three times in a week – it is a bit bizarre,” said Crossley.
“As staff you probably get sick of seeing each other. We will get sick of seeing them and they will get sick of seeing us, but that is football.”
“On chances we probably should have won it, but it wasn’t to be and we go again.
“It would have been nice to get another clean sheet and go through, especially for the lads’ confidence, but as a whole we are defending better as a team. There is still a lot to do but we are making improvement.”
Fondop netted his eighth goal this season with a clinical finish past goalkeeper Rob Lainton.
“It’s what he (Fondop) is all about and we spoke about turning their defence around to face their own goal and maybe give us an opportunity to get in that way and that is the way the goal came about,” said Crossley.
Wrexham’s new signing James Horsfield, who joined on loan from Scunthorpe United, played a part in their equaliser, having made his full debut.
“I wanted to leave Scunthorpe and play some games,” he said.
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“There was interest from Wrexham. It is a massive club and I am buzzing to be here.
“The gaffer has showed trust in me and put me in the team and that is brilliant.
“They are good players here. They seem like a top set of lads.”
Manager Dean Keates made a triple change after an hour and that proved decisive in the 1-1 draw in Chesterfield.
He sent on JJ Hooper, Devonte Redmond plus Akil Wright and within two minutes Wrexham had equalised.
Chesterfield: Jalal, Yarney (Mandeville 78), Sheridan, Evans, Hollis, Wedgbury (Smith 36), Weston, Nepomuceno, Fondop (Spyrou 69), Denton, Rowley. Subs not used: Coddington, Gerrard, McGlashan, Boden.
Wrexham: Lainton, Horsfield, Lawlor, Pearson, Jennings, Summerfield (Redmond 60), Barton, Young (Wright 60), Rutherford, Grant, Harris (Hooper 60). Subs not used: Dibble, Carrington, Tollitt, Oswell.
Referee: Peter Gibbons (Merseyside)
Attendance: 2,199 (away 330)
The Emirates FA Cup first round proper draw takes place on Monday, October 21 (from 7pm on BBC Two).
Conducted by Karen Carney and Jermaine Beckford, the draw will be broadcast live from the home ground of Maldon & Tiptree.
The 32 non-League clubs who progress from this weekend’s fourth round qualifying ties will be joined by 47 clubs from Leagues One and Two.
Due to Bury FC’s removal from the English Football League and subsequently the FA Cup, there will be an odd number of clubs entering the draw. As a result the final club left in the draw, that isn’t drawn to play in a tie in the first round proper, will receive an automatic bye.
The first round ties are scheduled to be played over the weekend of Saturday, November 9 with winning clubs collecting £36,000 from The FA prize fund.
Chesterfield and Wrexham are ball number 59.