RIDING HIGH IN APRIL OR SHOT DOWN IN MAY
Mark Currie - Daily Post

APRIL is shaping up to be a crunch month in Wrexham's battle to retain their Football League status after last night's trip to Hereford United was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

It was the second successive blank for the Dragons, whose scheduled match at MK Dons on Saturday also fell victim to the cold snap, and club officials now face the task of finding alternative dates.

Racecourse secretary Geraint Parry said both fixtures were likely to be staged in April, with Hereford already offering the 22nd for the Edgar Street clash.

MK Dons, who are still chasing silverware in the JPT competition, are awaiting the outcome of their two-legged southern area final against Swansea City before revising their league schedule, but have also indicated their preference for an April date.

Any arrangements are subject to Football League approval and Parry is keen to avoid adding to the March programme, which includes the Easter fixtures and an international date that sees both the Wales senior and under-21 teams in action.

"We looked at March 4, but that meant we would be playing three away games in the space of eight days," he said yesterday.

"There are three league games in a week at the end of that month plus the Wales matches, which could involve several of our players, so it's all getting a bit crowded.

"Hereford have been very prompt in coming up with the April 22 suggestion, which is okay from our point of view, and that's when it will be played, subject to the Football League's agreement."

Wrexham's preference for the MK Dons game is April 8 because the following Tuesday falls only two days after their Sunday visit to neighbours Shrewsbury Town.

Racecourse boss Brian Little admitted he was not surprised by yesterday's postponement, one of a number of matches hit by the weather.

"We've been frustrated again, but I half expected it," he said. "We were in touch with Hereford early on in the day and they said there was not much sign of the cloud lifting.

"That being the case, the game was always going to be under pressure and the lunchtime decision at least came in plenty of time to prevent the fans from making a wasted journey.

"It's a shame because Wrexham went out of their way to provide free coaches for season ticket holders to get them to the game."

The Dragons boss is now turning his thoughts towards Saturday's visit to the Racecourse of Grimsby Town, which is the first of three home matches in a week for his players.

"We can't do anything about Hereford now for the time being and we have already begun thinking about the next game," he added.

"The players will be fresh and keen to get a game and I've no doubt we'll see that reflected in what we do on the training ground from tomorrow.

"Obviously it is going to be an important little period for us inside the bigger picture of needing to be at our best for the remaining 17 games. If we can pick up at least a couple of home wins in the next it would be great for us and for the fans."

Saturday's game, originally due to be played on Friday evening, was put back 24 hours because the Mariners should have played their JPT northern area final first leg match at Morecambe last night, only for that match also to be postponed.

Wrexham then entertain Peterborough United next Tuesday and welcome Mansfield Town to the Racecourse on Saturday week, St David's Day.

INJURED EIFION WILLIAMS READY TO BIDE HIS TIME
Richard Williams - Wrexham Evening Leader

EIFION WILLIAMS today insisted he won't declare himself ready for first team action until fully recovered from injury.

A badly pulled hamstring sustained scoring his first goal for Wrexham in the 1-0 win at Bury on December 4 has kept Williams sidelined for two months.

But the 32-year-old is on the way back to full fitness and his comeback has been aided by three appearances for Joey Jones' reserve team.

Williams actually scored twice in the latest of those Pontin's League outings, Monday's 5-0 victory against Accrington Stanley at Buckley Town's Globe Way, but the frontman said he wants to have made a full recovery before rejoining the Reds battle against relegation.

"I don't know how far away from a possible return for the first team," said Williams today.

"It's not up to me, it's up to the manager to decide.

"If I am picked it will be a good thing, but I am just taking each day as it comes with the situation I have been in.

"It is one of the worst injuries I have had. I've done my hamstring before but never as bad as this.

"The pain was unbearable and I could not walk for a few days.

"It took its toll and there is no point in rushing in back - I have got to be 100 per cent right."

Williams, who joined Wrexham last summer after being released by Hartlepool, is delighted to have come through three reserve team matches with no reaction, and the former Wales B and under 21 international said getting valuable minutes on the pitch was important.

"It still feels a bit tight but I am getting through games to that is the positive thing," said Williams.

"That is the third reserve team game I have played - I'm glad to have come through all of those, and I've had quite a few minutes on the pitch.

"But it will take a while because I have been out for so long.

"Performance-wise does not really bother me at this stage. I am just trying to get my match fitness back.

"If I play well, I do, if I don't, I am not too bothered because it is all about building up fitness levels.

"I got two goals and it is good to get on the scoresheet but scoring was just a bonus."

Manager Brian Little is currently blessed with strikers following his exploits in the January transfer window.

Paul Hall, Stuart Nicholson, Drewe Broughton and Rob Duffy have all been brought in on various loan deals, while Michael Proctor, who along with Williams joined Wrexham from Hartlepool in the close season, has weighed in with a couple of goals from the substitutes' bench during the Reds' current five-match unbeaten run.

Pleased with Wrexham's resurgence, Williams admitted that he has to be ready to take his chance when it comes, adding: "I have to force myself back into the team."

"The players that the gaffer has brought in have done well.

"The players before were just not performing but the gaffer has steadied the ship, and the new lads have done a good job.

"It will be a battle to get a place, not just for me but for everyone at the club, as there is competition for places.

"People are playing well at the moment so it will be hard to get into the team.

"And when your chance comes you have to be ready."