Banbury United ace Chris Wreh is Gunner go for FA Cup glory

By Aidan Jones

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Banbury striker Chris Wreh

CHRIS WREH is determined to etch his name in FA Cup folklore – just like his Dad!

The 24-year-old striker is ready to lead Banbury United‘s attack against League Two Barrow in front of the ITV4 cameras on Saturday evening.

And he won’t have to look far for inspiration as his father – also called Chris – scored the semi-final winner to send Arsenal into the 1998 FA Cup Final, where they beat Newcastle United 2-0.

“For my Dad, achieving what he did in the FA Cup is amazing,” said Puritans ace Wreh. “It is great for the family and myself, but I am concentrating on my game to try and do my best and get us into the next round.

“We are hoping to showcase to everyone in the ground and on the television that we are there to fight and hopefully win the game.

“Playing in this game is up there on the highs of my career so far. Before that would have been in my youth career in youth cups, this is on a different level and I cannot wait for it.

“It would be so good to score the winning goal, like Dad in the semi-final, but the main thing is that the team wins. If I was to score the winner that would maximise my morale which is already very high.”

Wreh began his youth career at Northampton Town before joining Arsenal’s academy.

Now he is spearheading a Banbury side currently enjoying a 19-game unbeaten run, stretching back to a friendly defeat to Oxford City in July.

The Yellows have rallied to nine league wins from 11 matches, putting them very much in the promotion mix in Southern Premier Central, just four points behind leaders Peterborough Sports.

Wreh insists the fans are one of the big reasons for the upturn in form and the striker wants to repay them by keeping their FA Cup hopes alive.

“From the very first game against Stourbridge, the fans have been there, cheering us on from minute one,” the former Newport County and AFC Rushden & Diamonds frontman added.

“They have been a big part in our games, even the last minute victories and have been there when it wasn’t going our way to give us a boost.

“They have stuck behind us and been the twelfth man on many occasions so to pay them back with a good performance and good result against Barrow would be the icing on the cake. With a big support behind us, it will give us that extra 20 per cent.”