Harrogate relishing glamour tie with Wrexham

Harrogate Town played Wrexham twice last season in League Two, drawing 2-2 and 0-0

Harrogate Town almost sold out hospitality for their blockbuster FA Cup tie against Wrexham “within two minutes” of the draw being made, according to chief executive Sarah Barry.

The Yorkshire club’s fixture against Hollywood-backed Welsh glamour club at their own Wetherby Road ground is one of the more intriguing ties in the first round proper.

And while Barry admitted there were easier first-round opponents than Phil Parkinson’s League One high-fliers, she insisted there was a buzz at the club over a fixture which seems nailed on to attract the TV cameras.

“The initial reaction was a bit mixed because our objective is to get through to round two and then the third round and this is going to be one of the toughest draws in terms of the football,” she told BBC Radio York.

“But we are really excited, and the best measure in terms of the interest in this match is that my commercial director within about two minutes of the draw said that the hospitality has nearly sold out.”

Harrogate Town have form over Wrexham having beaten the Welsh club, then a National League outfit, in the first round of the FA Cup three seasons ago.

It sparked a mini Cup run which saw them beat Portsmouth in the second round before they came up short against Luton Town in the third round.

With two Wembley showpiece wins in their history in the 2019-20 FA Trophy and National League play-off final, Harrogate remain a club capable of punching above their weight when occasion demands.

“We do seem to rise to that big occasion and you have seen that recently with the big games that have been televised we really do come to the party,” added Barry, with Harrogate currently 14th in League Two.

“We don’t know exactly which day the fixture is on yet because of the telly but this place will be sold out and we will get right behind the team.”