Wrexham AFC celebrated a crucial victory on March 22, 2025, as Jay Rodriguez scored his first goal for the club, propelling the team back into the automatic promotion spots in League One. The Red Dragons secured a tense 1-0 win over promotion rivals Stockport County at the Racecourse Ground, with Rodriguez netting a rebound after seeing his penalty saved.
The 35-year-old striker, who joined Wrexham from Burnley in January for an undisclosed fee, had been eager to break his goalscoring duck. After nine previous outings without finding the net, Rodriguez finally made his mark during a critical match against Stockport County, where both teams were vying for a higher standing.
As the first half wore on, both teams exchanged cautious attacks. On the verge of half-time, Rodriguez earned a penalty following a handball decision, but Stockport’s goalkeeper, Corey Addai, managed to parry Rodriguez’s initial spot-kick. The veteran striker, however, remained composed and poked the resulting rebound through Addai's legs to secure the vital goal for Wrexham. His quick reactions and determination proved pivotal in what was otherwise a hard-fought contest.
Post-match, Rodriguez shared his joy on social media, stating, “Big three points 📈buzzing to get my first goal in red.” Fellow Wrexham players also took to Instagram to celebrate, with comments from teammates expressing their pride and excitement. One teammate, Ollie Palmer, humorously suggested that new sneakers might be a fitting reward for Rodriguez’s milestone.
Former teammates from Rodriguez's time at Burnley, including Nathan Redmond and Ashley Barnes, were also quick to praise the striker's achievement, sending messages of congratulations. Redmond remarked, “A fine wine, nothing new 🍷,” underscoring Rodriguez’s veteran status and resilience.
Wrexham’s head coach, Phil Parkinson, was enthusiastic about Rodriguez’s performance, noting, “Jay has worked tirelessly for the team, with the ball and out of possession as well.” Parkinson defended Rodriguez amid calls for consistent goal scoring from fans, insisting that contributions to team play were equally as important as finding the net. This goal, he indicated, may serve to lift the weight of expectations that had been mounting on the striker since his arrival.
Wrexham managed to hold on to their narrow lead despite Stockport controlling possession for 62 percent of the match and generating an expected goals (xG) statistic of 0.92. While Stockport struggled for clear-cut chances, Rodriguez’s goal proved to be decisive, earning Wrexham three vital points that place them firmly in the playoff race.
The victory also marked a milestone for Wrexham, who set a new record with ten single-goal-to-nil victories in League One history this season. This remarkable statistic highlights the team's ability to grind out results in tightly contested matches—a skill some might call an 'art form' in competitive football.
With the win, Wrexham now sits three points ahead of Wycombe Wanderers, who recently dropped points in their latest fixture. As the club eyes promotion, the coming weeks will bring challenges, including matches against lower half teams, where Wrexham will look to solidify its standing and perhaps even chase down the leaders.
Rodriguez's success in breaking his scoring drought may be the turning point he needs to build momentum as the season progresses. Wrexham fans are hopeful that his newfound confidence will continue to show on the pitch, especially with the specter of strikers Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer potentially returning to fitness.
In the coming weeks, Wrexham faces crucial fixtures against teams that are fighting off relegation, giving them a unique opportunity to solidify their promotion aspirations. The upcoming matches against Lincoln City and Exeter City will be vital as they build toward potentially challenging moments against Charlton Athletic.
Ultimately, Jay Rodriguez's goal represents not just a personal achievement but also a step forward in Wrexham's season, as they aim for a higher league status and a successful conclusion to their campaign.
