Record Signings, Deadline Departures, and Ashfield's First Goal
Wrexham fans have lots to celebrate this week, from crossing the €1Million transfer fee mark, to two new starting strikers, to a new Kop stand, and much much more.
It’s been a BUSY week for Wrexham, so there’s no time to waste. Let’s get to it:
The Wrecap:
Crawley Town 1 - 2 Wrexham
After Wrexham’s latest misstep against Stevenage, the need for all three points against relegation-threatened Crawley Town was a must. The profile of the match was raised even further by the previous 24 hours in which Wrexham broke the €1 million transfer fee mark not just once, but likely twice. Wrexham finally signed two new star strikers, Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez (see below), and even though they’d only been completing physicals at 3 am Friday morning, Phil slotted them directly into the starting XI on Saturday. It was one of several changes, which saw Mullin dropped from the squad due to a calf injury, Palmer dropped in favor of Fletcher and Marriott on the bench, and, with a real eyebrow-raising decision, Howard starting instead of Okonkwo. Phil would later say (see below) that he just didn’t feel Okonkwo was “quite right” since coming back, and perhaps was given the nod too early. (I’m sure this opinion was also informed by Okonkwo’s abysmal display versus Stevenage.) Brunt and O’Connell also returned to the starting backline.
But once the game was underway Wrexham wasted no time at all. In the first sixty seconds, the Reds worked their way up field and Rathbone delivered a crucial pass to Matty James who slotted home his first Wrexham goal. Then…the pace of the game slowed down…a lot. New striking partners Rodriguez and Smith worked well together (considering they’d barely had a chance to train), and both had some close moments…but Wrexham quickly looked far less dominant than they should have.
The first half finished without any more goals and, slowly but surely, Crawley were looking better and better, controlling the ball for the vast majority of the match. But their finishes weren’t particularly threatening. In fact, Howard was only called upon a few times throughout the match and only had to make one save. Then at 90’, it looked like another heartbreak for Wrexham when Bradley Ibrahim hit an instant goal of the month candidate to the far post that Howard never had a chance to get. The score was even just as stoppage time began in what would feel like a crushing defeat rather than a draw. Fletcher had a chance for his trademark late heroics with the minutes dwindling away, but his header was just over the bar.
But Elliott Lee had come off the bench at 88’ and was ready to make an impact. Ryan Longman made a long, looping cross to the midfielder who was well-positioned to pop a header into the far corner, winning the game with five seconds left of stoppage time. And even though the score should have been more lopsided toward Wrexham, there was plenty of joy to take from this match: O’Connell played well at the back after his recent struggles, Howard looked strong, Smith and Rodriguez previewed what they can do on the shortest of rests, and James and Rathbone showed why Lee could find himself coming off the bench more and more. Rathbone probably deserves MotM, but I’m giving it to James in honor of his first goal.
Read the full report from Wrexham here.
And watch the highlights here or below:
Match Facts:
Starting Lineup: Howard, Cleworth, O’Connell, Brunt, Barnett (Longman 77’), Dobson, M.James (Lee 88’), Rathbone, McClean, Rodriguez (Fletcher 70’), Smith (Marriott 77’)
Bench: Okonkwo, Revan, Scarr, Longman, Lee, Fletcher, Marriott
Goals:
WRX — James (2’), Lee (90+5’)
CRA — Ibrahim (90’)
Yellow Cards:
WRX — O’Connell (49’)
CRA - Camara (44’)
Vertu Trophy: Port Vale 1 - 4 Wrexham
For the round of 16 in the Vertu Trophy, Phil mixed in some first-team regulars into the squad: Okonkwo, Scarr, Cleworth, O’Connor, Longman, and Lee. They joined the regular tournament starters Harry Ashfield, Andy Cannon, and Mo Faal. It looked to be a very strong squad facing a significantly weaker Port Vale side. Which is why, when Port Vale scored in under thirty seconds, there was reason to panic. The goal was one Okonkwo should have saved, highlighting Phil’s comments about his readiness after injury (see below). But he gathered himself up after that, making several impressive saves throughout the match.
Any panic in the Wrexham fanbase was short-lived, however. After the initial goal, Wrexham steadily dominated the game. It took another half hour, but Andy Cannon found the equalizer courtesy of a Mo Faal ball after sustained pressure. Then, after the break, academy phenom Harry Ashfield nearly scored his first professional goal to give the Reds the lead, but his effort was saved above the keepers’ head…until he tried again at 48,’ delivering what turned out to be the match winner, finally scoring his first professional goal. Sadly the celebrations were short-lived, as he sustained an injury 60,’ and was replaced with Ollie Palmer in a formation change.
After that, Wrexham pulled away. Elliot Lee scored just three minutes later to give the visitors some breathing room before Mo Faal, who probably put forth his most impressive display to date, put the game out of reach with his second goal for the club in the closing stages. There are lots of candidates for Man of the Match, but I simply refuse to give it to anyone other than Harry Ashfield. Not only did the 18-year-old Wrexham native win the game, but he was energetic and creative throughout the match and was a big reason why the early deficit was so quickly overcome. Let’s hope his injury isn’t a serious one.
The Reds will now face Bolton Wanderers, currently ninth in League One, in the quarter-finals next Tuesday.
Read the full report from Wrexham here.
And watch the highlights here or below:
(as of this writing only the narration-less Port Vale highlights were published)
Match Facts:
Starting Lineup: Okonkwo, Cleworth (Brunt 85), Scarr, O’Connor, Longman (Mendy 72), Cannon (Dobson 72), Evans, Lee, Revan, Ashfield (Palmer 60), Faal
Bench: McNicholas, Barnett, Brunt, Mendy, Dobson, Palmer, Smith
Goals:
WRX — Cannon (31’), Ashfield (48’), Lee (63’), Faal (82’)
PVL — Curtis (1’)
Yellow Cards:
WRX — O’Connor (21’), Ashfield (45+2’)
PVL — None
Women: Wrexham 7 - 1 Aberystwyth Town
The Wrexham Women gained some much-needed ground on the table as they coupled a Swansea City loss with a resounding 7-1 victory over Aberystwyth Town. While Carra Jones opened after twenty-five minutes, Ava Suckley grabbed most of the credit when she began a hat trick in first-half stoppage time, capping it off with two more in the game’s closing stages. Liv Fuller also had two second-half goals, while Rosie Hughes scored her 10th goal of the campaign via a penalty.
The dramatic victory kept Wrexham in the hunt for fourth place with only two league matches to go. They’ll face third place The New Saints on Wednesday before tackling Swansea City twice, first in FAW Cup semi-final on the 16th, followed by League Match 14 on the 23rd.
Read the full report from Wrexham here.
And watch the highlights here or below:
Match Facts:
Starting Lineup: Craven, Lovett, Clark, Davies (Allen 68’), Lightfoot (Pritchard 76’), L. Jones, Cairns (Gibbard 76’), C.Jones, Fuller, Suckley, Iddenden (Hughes 62’).
Bench: Morgan, Pritchard, Gibbard, Hughes
Goals:
WRX — Jones (25’), Suckley (45+2’, 77’, 88’), Fuller (58’, 90+1’), Hughes (P-72’)
ABR — Bufton (49’)
Yellow Cards:
WRX — None
ABR — Jones (52’)
Current Tables
League One
Adran Premier
News from the Week:
Wrexham Sign Strikers Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez
‘Twas the last day of January and Wrexham finally signed a striker. Two, actually. League One powerhouse Sam Smith and Premier League and Championship veteran Jay Rodriguez were announced in quick succession last Friday, with first Smith and then Rodriguez setting the club’s new transfer record.
Sam Smith (no not that one) joins from fellow League One Club Reading for a reported fee of €2.40M, where he has scored 11 goals this season, the fourth-highest total in the league thus far. Smith is quite accomplished in League One, having scored no fewer than 13 times in each of the last three seasons. The 26-year-old is signed through the end of the 27/28 season and will presumably be our primary striker going forward, alongside Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, a 35-year-old veteran who has spent the majority of his career with Premier League/Championship staple Burnley, has mainly played off the bench for The Clarets this season, scoring twice in twenty-two appearances. Over the past six seasons with Burney, Rodriguez has scored a total of thirty-five times across all competitions. Beyond Burnley, he’s played for Southhampton, Barnsley, and Stirling Albion.
While his 18-month contract with Wrexham could prove to be Rodriguez’s swan song, Smith could see his reputation flourish as he enters the club firmly in his prime. The additions give Phil a somewhat crazy amount of senior strikers: nine, in total, so expect to see at least one major departure at the end of the season.
James Jones Transferred to Burton Albion
Wrexham also announced a notable departure on Friday: midfielder James Jones was transferred to Burton Albion, concluding his Wrexham career with 16 goals over 138 appearances. The move should suit Jones well as he was no longer a contender for the first team at Wrexham, although the Racecourse crowd could see him again when Burton visit on April 5, along with Jón Daði Böðvarsson.
Updates on Mullin and Okonkwo
While Mullin’s struggles this season are no secret, his departure from the squad last Saturday was just a cautionary move. Phil listed Mullin with a calf injury before the match, stating later that while he didn’t think the injury was serious, he didn’t want to risk playing Mullin before they took him for a scan.
He also clarified why he dropped Okonkwo to the bench:
With Arthur, he's not been quite right since he's come back. We probably put him back in too soon and he probably needed to come out. These next couple of weeks are really important for us. Mark [Howard] is a cool head and played like the experienced goalkeeper we needed. We just said in the dressing room, we've always been about the squad and the group. It was typified by the lads who weren't in the team today.
As if to prove his point, Okonkwo was listed as the starter for yesterday’s Vertu Trophy match and immediately allowed an easy goal. He gathered himself up well after that, however, and looked much more like his regular self. I suspect it won’t be too long before he’s back in goal for league matches.
McNicholas Returns
Luke McNicholas has returned from his loan spell with Rochdale. His time with the National League club was positive…but shortened by injuries. While he’s listed as healthy now, Wrexham made the decision to recall him for the home stretch. With Phil feeling Okonkwo needed more time to truly be his old self again, this isn’t a huge surprise. The move now gives us plenty of depth at keeper with Okonkwo, Howard, McNicholas, Foster, and young Liam Hall all on the first-team roster. McNicholas was the backup keeper for yesterday’s contest with Port Vale.
Deadline Day Departures
With most of Wrexham’s transfer excitement settled before the weekend, it was a relatively quiet deadline day on Monday. However, there were a few club departures. Anthony Forde left the club by mutual consent, having made just four first-team appearances this season. He’ll end his Wrexham career with four goals and three assists over sixty-one appearances.
Academy graduate James Rainbird was also on the move Monday, although his departure is a temporary one. The 19-year-old striker was loaned to Welsh club Newtown for the rest of the season so he could get some valuable playing time — something he certainly wouldn’t have received at Wrexham over the coming months. Rainbird has shown great potential on the U18 and reserve sides, so hopefully he’s able to develop his skills further over the coming months.
Also loaned out was wingback Aaron James, who will be joining National League North (sixth tier) side Warrington Town. The 19-year-old defender has appeared three times and scored a goal - his first - in this year’s EFL Trophy. On the loan, Phil said: “Aaron has done well when he’s played in the first team and we felt the time was right for him to get sustained first-team action at Warrington Town.”
New Kop Stand Design Revealed
Wrexham and Populous, the architecture firm designing the new Kop stand, revealed the latest design for the new 5,500-seat stand last week. The Kop, which was previously slated to open in 2026, will also feature new player and official facilities as well as a new player tunnel. Full details be found in the official press release, along with more photos like this one:
Wrexham Return to TST
TST (The Soccer Tournament) will return for its third year this summer and Wrexham, who have been present at both TST tournaments thus far, will once again be in attendance. Just like last year, the 7v7 competition has grown in size for its latest edition: 48 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams will compete in Cary, NC in June for two $1 Million prizes. In addition to Wrexham, several big teams will be returning as well as a new squad “Solo FC,” which will feature retired USWNT legend Hope Solo.
Both years have featured a Wrexham Red Dragon squad that mostly consisted of youth and reserve players, as well as a few retired stars, so I expect that will be the case again this year. The tournament is very much “not really soccer,” but is a fun time nevertheless thanks to its trademark “Target Score Time.” After the full-time whistle, the leading team’s score becomes the ‘target score,’ plus one. So if the score is 3-2, the Target Score is four. The first to hit the Target Score wins, but there’s a twist: every three minutes a player is removed from each side. With no time limit and unlimited substitutions, it makes for an exciting end to each of the short matches.
January Transfer Window Summary
Wrexham broke their transfer record to sign Sam Smith (and likely did it again to sign Rodriguez), but otherwise, Phil spent the transfer window mostly sending people out of the door rather than ushering new faces in it. Here’s a quick rundown of all the club’s business last month:
Signings
Jay Rodriguez — Signed through 25/26 season
Sam Smith — Signed through 27/28 season
Ryan Longman — Signed through the 26/27 season
Jacob Mendy — Extended through 25/26 season
Jack Marriott — Extended through 25/26 season
Brad Foster — Extended through the end of the season
Luke McNicholas — recalled from loan
Departures
James Jones »» Burton Albion
Jón Daði Böðvarsson »» Burton Albion
Billy Waters »» Oldham Athletic
Anthony Forde »» No club.
Loans
Callum Edwards »» loaned to Bala Town until June
James Rainbird »» loaned to Newtown until June
Aaron James »» loaned to Warrington Town until June
Finally, here are the names Phil will need to make a decision about after the season ends, if not before:
Contracts Expiring at Seasons’ End
Steven Fletcher
Harry Ashfield
Mark Howard - has an option for an additional year
Liam Hall - has an option for an additional year
Brad Foster - has an option for an additional year
Josh Adam
Aaron James
The Week Ahead
Women: Today vs The New Saints
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2:45pm EST / 7:45pm BST
The Wrexham Women’s chase for the top four could be decided today. If Swansea win against Briton Ferry, it’s over. The safety of the top four slots will be out of sight. But if they lose and Wrexham beat or draw with TNS, it will set up a dramatic match 14 against none other than Swansea City. A draw from Swansea would also keep Wrexham in the race…but then we have to win this match to stay alive.
TNS will be a tough fight. They have conceded eight fewer goals than Wrexham and have been safely in the top four all year. Luckily, we have the home-field advantage, although our record against TNS is split at home. If Wrexham can hit the pitch with the same goal-scoring determination they showed on Sunday, we’ve got a fighting chance.
2/11: Vertu Trophy Quarterfinal vs Bolton
US: iFollow. UK: Skysports+
2:30pm EST / 7:30pm BST
While the rest of the quarterfinal matches are split between yesterday and today, Wrexham will dance with Bolton in the Trophy chase next Tuesday. We’ve already faced Bolton once in the League this year, with a 0-0 drawback in August. But the Trophy is a different beast. It’s highly unlikely either squad will field their entire first teams…but it’s equally unlikely to be all reserves either. If yesterday was anything to go on, I’d bet Phil fields a squad that’s 70-30 in favor of first-teamers, and I’d expect Bolton to do the same.
Bolton, like us, won their group with seven points. They then snuck past Lincoln 1-0 in the last round, with that one goal coming in the first half. In the League, the squad has created the most Big Chances but is third in Big Chances missed. They also rank second in Touches in the Opposing Box. This, to me, points to a team that is excellent in getting the ball where it needs to be but struggles to find the moment of quality needed to find the net. The same has certainly been true of Wrexham at times, but in the Trophy we’ve shown real grit, no matter who has been on the pitch.
I know the Trophy is a lower interest to both players and fans alike, but Wrexham have a real chance at silverware on this cup run. Let’s see if they can keep it going next week.