#113 Saturday, January 27, 2001. 02.00 GMT

There have been a few changes with the company that hosts this email
newsletter, but nothing that should worry anyone.

Yahoo continue their quest for world domination by taking over
previous owners eGroups and the format of the website has changed a
little. Hopefully though, the service will remain the same!

If you want to email me, then the address is now
robinsreview@yahoogroups.com and the website has been renamed as:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/robinsreview


MATCH ACTION

Friday, January 26, 2001
Friendly
WREXHAM 1 BRADFORD CITY O

Another Premiership scalp as a rampant Wrexham overcame a sorry
looking Bantams reserve XI, in front of whopping 953 at the
Racecourse!

If manager Jim Jefferies was looking for players that were likely to
aid his cause of Premiership survival, then he really only saw a
couple of likely candidates amongst this sorry lot. Goalkeeper Matt
Clarke stood out and had it not been for him, then the Reds would
surely have run up a much more convincing scoreline and one their
play deserved.

Up front Ashley Ward proved a handful, but he was well marshalled by
the excellent Mark McGregor. New boy Gary Locke was obviously still
finding his feet after his recent arrival from Hearts. These apart,
there was not much to comfort the handful of travelling supporters
from over the Pennines.

On the other hand, it was good night for the Reds as they time and
time again carved out openings, although they only had a wonderful
strike from Kevin Russell to show for their efforts. As early as the
first minute Clarke was called into action to make his first save of
the night, as he did three more times in the first 10 minutes.

Carlos Edwards, Kevin Russell, Craig Faulconbridge and Martyn Chalk
were causing all sorts of problems with their movement and pace. The
ball was continually being fed behind the Bantams back four, but good
keeping and some unlucky finishing kept the game goalless until the
22nd minute.

This was when RUSSELL received the ball on the edge of the box and
with several defenders blocking his path, decided to lob them and
keeper Clarke. The City defence were helpless as Rooster's perfect
execution saw the net ripple and the Reds take the lead.

Three minutes later and Edwards beat the offside trip, but his cross
was too hard for Faulconbridge to control properly in front of goal.

Kevin Dearden's only save of the night came on 34 minutes, when
Gareth Grant chased a long ball over the top, but the keeper won this
one-on-one battle to block the City forward on the edge of the box.

A number of substitutions at the break did upset the rhythm a little
in the second period, with Andy Morrell being used more as a lone
striker, supported by wingers Michael Blackwood and Robin Gibson.
Clarke continued to be at the centre of the action, making a notable
save from Morrell's angled drive on 55 minutes.

In the end, even a number of Bradford substitutions failed to liven
up their attack and the Reds ran out comfortable winners.

It was a useful workout for Wrexham and an equally telling exercise
for Jim Jefferies!

WREXHAM: Dearden (Walsh 46), Roche (Warren 62), Bouanane (Hardy 46),
McGregor, Carey, Ferguson, Owen (Barrett 62), Chalk (Phillips 46),
Edwards (Gibson 46), Faulconbridge (Blackwood 46), Russell (Morrell
46). Sub: Rogers.

BRADFORD CITY: Matt Clarke, Phillipe Brinquin, Lee Sharpe, Ian Nolan,
Louis Emanuel (Robert Morgan 57), Andy Myers, Gary Locke, Scott Kerr
(Andy Lee 65), Ashley Ward, Gareth Grant (Ben Jones 77), Gareth
Whalley. Subs: Jon Worsnop, Craig Fishlock.

Referee: George Cain (Bootle)
Attendance: 953
Both Dave Ridler and Hector Sam were nursing injuries picked up
during Wednesday night's 3-1 success at Shrewsbury Town in the Avon
Insurance League.

MATCH QUOTES:

BRIAN FLYNN - "It was a good competitive game, decided by a great
goal. I don't like to go overboard about results in these sorts of
games, but it was enjoyable evening with a number of plus points for
us.

"One of these was the performance of Mark McGregor, up against a
multi million pound striker in Ashley Ward.

"Craig Faulconbridge was lively and we created a number of good
chances. Had it not been for the form of Matt Clarke, we might well
have expected to score a few more on the night.

"The large number of changes at half-time did slow us down a little
in the second period, but Andy Morrell had his second good display in
the space of three days.

"We need to keep getting games at regular intervals, so that's why
this match and our visit to Rhyl next week, will prove important to
us before the league fixtures resume next weekend."

ASHLEY WARD - "It was interesting to be back at Wrexham after making
my debut here all those years ago. The ground has certainly changed
and the last time I played on it, Brian Flynn was one of my team
mates!"

GARY LOCKE - "This was my first game in Bradford's colours and it was
good to get 90 minutes in before I look to make my first team debut.

"I'm still getting to know the other players, so any action I can get
at the moment will be important to me. The pitch was very big and
there seemed to be a lot more space in which to play. Wrexham gave a
good display, but I'm sure things will get better for us."

JIM JEFFERIES - "I didn't include any of the starting line-up from
Sunday's game at Sunderland, as I wanted to give the other players a
run out. There were also other like Gareth Whalley and Gary Locke,
who needed match practice prior to possible selection in the first
team.

"I'm grateful to Wrexham for fielding their strongest side and I hope
they felt they got a good work out after a number of their recent
games have been called off."


A DAY AT THE SEASIDE

The Reds will be heading across to Rhyl next Wednesday night (7.15pm)
for a friendly with the Lillywhites. It seems that Brian Flynn is
planning on sending a very strong squad, as we have no first team
match until a week on Sunday (Feb 4).

There is a reserve fixture at Stoke City this coming Tuesday
afternoon (2.00pm), when we have a re-arranged Avon Insurance League
game. This will take place at Newcastle Town's game.


GERAINT