Wrexham’s remarkable journey in the English Football League Championship took another dramatic leap forward on New Year’s Day as the Red Dragons secured an impressive 2-0 victory away at Blackburn Rovers. The win at Ewood Park not only extended Wrexham’s winning streak to three matches but also fueled the club’s audacious push for a fourth consecutive promotion, a feat that would have seemed unthinkable just a few seasons ago.
Coming into the contest, Wrexham had already grabbed headlines with back-to-back triumphs over Sheffield United and Preston North End. Those results had lifted them to 11th place in the Championship table, just four points adrift of the playoff spots. The momentum was palpable, and the sense of belief among the squad and supporters was growing stronger by the week.
Blackburn, by contrast, found themselves languishing in 19th place as 2026 dawned. While the Rovers had managed just one defeat in their previous seven outings, five of those matches had ended in draws, leaving the club searching for a spark to reignite their campaign. The home crowd at Ewood Park arrived hoping for a fresh start, but it was Wrexham who seized the initiative from the opening whistle.
The match—broadcast live on Paramount+ at 7:30 a.m. ET—kicked off with Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson opting for significant changes. In a bold move, Wrexham made five alterations to the side that had started the 2-1 win over Preston North End just three days earlier. The decision to rotate the squad paid immediate dividends, as fresh legs and renewed energy set the tone for the visitors’ performance.
Assistant boss Steve Parkin was quick to highlight the importance of squad depth and fitness after the game. “We’re well aware that we’ve got a good squad and we’re well aware that we’re getting people back to full fitness,” Parkin told BBC Sport Wales. “We’re also aware, we check the numbers, and we’ve seen how far they’ve run in the last two games. We thought that freshness would be key in this game.”
One of the beneficiaries of that rotation was striker Sam Smith, who was handed just his second league start of the campaign. Smith repaid the faith shown in him in emphatic fashion, breaking the deadlock to give Wrexham a 1-0 lead midway through the first half. The moment was captured for all to see, as Smith fired the visitors ahead and silenced the home supporters at Ewood Park.
Smith’s goal was more than just a personal milestone—it was a testament to the competitive spirit running through the Wrexham squad. Parkin was effusive in his praise for both Smith and midfielder Ollie Rathbone, who was making his first Championship start of the season following a lengthy recovery from an ankle injury. “I’m delighted for them because Ollie Rathbone, Smudger (Smith), they’ve been a big part of what we are this season without probably getting the game time that they would like or maybe deserve at times. But they’ve never put their heads down, they’re good citizens, they train properly, they’ve never been any trouble in the group and I’m delighted for both of them,” Parkin said.
Rathbone, in particular, delivered a performance to remember. The 29-year-old midfielder capped his return to the starting lineup with a sublime strike, doubling Wrexham’s advantage and effectively putting the game out of Blackburn’s reach. The goal was Rathbone’s third in just five league appearances this season, giving him an astonishing strike rate of a goal every 42.7 minutes in the Championship.
Parkin didn’t hold back in his assessment of Rathbone’s contribution, even drawing comparisons to a Dutch football legend. “The goal we scored, he (Rathbone) had a hand in all three bits,” Parkin explained. “He got the foul, then he gets a nick on the ball when it comes in and then follows it round from Scarry’s (Dan Scarr) little set to keep in the box. It’s a van Basten finish.”
Wrexham’s tactical flexibility and willingness to trust squad players has been a hallmark of their rise through the divisions. Rathbone’s return to fitness adds another dimension to a midfield already brimming with talent, and Parkin was quick to note the positive influence the player has around the club. “He’s great around the place. He’s as mad as a box of frogs. It’s just another high quality addition to the attacking part of the team where we’ve already got really good players. It’s great to be able to call upon somebody of Ollie’s quality.”
For Blackburn, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite their recent resilience—just one loss in seven—the inability to convert draws into victories has left the Rovers precariously close to the relegation battle. The New Year’s Day setback underscored the need for greater cutting edge in front of goal and renewed defensive solidity if they are to climb the table in the months ahead.
The match marked the conclusion of the day’s EFL Championship action, with coverage shifting to a packed schedule on Sunday, January 4, 2026. Football fans were treated to a full slate of fixtures across the Championship, League One, and League Two, while Premier League action continued elsewhere for those hungry for more live coverage.
Wrexham’s story, meanwhile, continues to captivate the footballing world. The club’s rapid ascent from the lower tiers of English football, fueled by savvy management, squad unity, and a never-say-die attitude, has made them one of the most talked-about teams in the country. With their latest win, the Red Dragons are now firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot, and the possibility of a fourth consecutive promotion remains tantalizingly within reach.
As the dust settles on a memorable New Year’s Day at Ewood Park, Wrexham’s players and fans alike can dare to dream. The journey isn’t over yet, but with momentum on their side and key players hitting form at just the right time, the Red Dragons look set to keep the Championship’s promotion race wide open in the weeks ahead.
