Former Cardiff City and Newport County striker Matt Green poses a big threat to Wrexham when they face Salford City on Boxing Day.
Green, a prolific scorer in non-League football, has signed for Salford from Lincoln City.
Salford are second top scorers in Vanarama National League football with 48, two behind Harrogate Town (50), and in Wrexham come up against the league’s tightest defence.
The team from Manchester haven’t won on the road since a 3-1 win at Barnet at the end of October, drawing three and losing one.
http://https://youtu.be/lMbNOi4Oay4
The third-placed Dragons host the second-placed high-flyers from Greater Manchester in the first of two fixtures between the sides of the festive period, sandwiching a home match with another high-flying team, Solihull Moors.
Barrow admits the Boxing Day match at the Racecourse is one he has been looking forward to.
“Playing Salford twice over Christmas is hard, but it’s great, a game we’ve been looking forward to,” said Wrexham manager Graham Barrow.
“The supporters have been brilliant and it’s one of those situations every footballer should thrive on – but it’s a big lift for the opposition as well.
http://https://youtu.be/sJO4j8GxAIA
“We’ve had some great performances in big games and probably not had our just rewards. We need to find that extra edge that turns it but the lads are in good spirits.”
Wrexham have won their last two home games – beating Eastleigh 2-0 and winning 3-0 in the FA Trophy against Boston United – but lost to league leaders Leyton Orient last month.
And Barrow wants the players to learn from that clash ahead of another battle with a promotion rival.
“I can remember clearly, the Orient game had stopped. They made a substitution and there was a corner against us, and we had done ever so well in those situations [and they scored].
“To lose that game after looking after one of the best strikers in the league and denying him so many efforts on goal, was a real killer.
http://https://youtu.be/mUQzAnng7N8
“I can’t really fault the lads but we have to learn from it. When a game is as tight as that, every detail counts.”
Barrow has welcomed Ben Tollitt to the squad ahead of the fixture, after he signed a short-term loan deal to come in from Tranmere, but the manager confirmed the Dragons are returning to full strength.
After a number of injuries in recent weeks, the majority of the squad was at training on Christmas Eve, and Barrow wants no let-up in performance level in this busy period.
“We were getting really stretched and then lo and behold this morning, almost everyone has trained,” Barrow said. “If that turns for us, then even better.
http://https://youtu.be/1p54Ur4q1_w
“We’ve put in a lot of hard work to put ourselves in a position and we’ve now got to put our foot on the pedal and, to make sure we’re there going into the end of January, it has to be full steam ahead.”
Third hosts second in the title shoot-out as Wrexham and Salford City prepare to do battle.
It’s a crucial period. The Ammies have suffered back-to-back defeat and it’s left a bitter taste, while the Red Dragons are also desperate to get back on track. Graham Barrow’s team have won only once in five, but victory will spark them into life.
Leyton Orient will be listening in after their early kick-off against Dagenham, who are top of the form guide and have just won away at Salford.
Boxing Day fixtures: (3pm unless stated)
Maidenhead v Aldershot 12.30pm
Boreham W v Barnet 1pm
Dagenham v Leyton Orient 1pm
Barrow v AFC Fylde
Chesterfield v Solihull Moors
Dover A v Maidstone United
Ebbsfleet v Braintree
Gateshead v Hartlepool
Harrogate v FC Halifax
Havant & W v Eastleigh
Sutton United v Bromley
Wrexham v Salford City