On December 29, 2024, Wrexham AFC continued their impressive run in League One, defeating Wigan Athletic 2-1 at the Racecourse Ground. The match proved significant not only for the points on the line but also for Wrexham’s ambitions for promotion, taking them closer to the top of the standings.
Wrexham, under the management of Phil Parkinson, came confidently off the back of their Boxing Day win against Blackpool, where they secured victory with a scoreline of 2-1. On the other hand, Wigan Athletic were seeking to finish the year positively, having recently achieved success against Rotherham United.
Assistant manager Steve Parkin remarked on the squad's depth and readiness, noting, “I think a precaution was taken today. He'll definitely have to have a couple of decent days in training, but I think he'll have a chance [of being involved].” Parkin was referring to Elliot Lee, Wrexham's midfielder, who had been sidelined due to injury but was expected to return to the matchday squad.
From the very beginning, Wigan Athletic showed promise, controlling the game early on. They seemed poised for victory, particularly dominating the first half. Despite their efforts, they could not capitalize on several good chances. “Latics were well on top in the first half, but couldn't find the goal the performance deserved,” commented the club after the match.
Wrexham eventually took the lead through Ryan Barnett, whose shot deflected off Wigan's defense and found the back of the net on the hour mark. The goal was celebrated by the home crowd of 13,332, who rallied behind their team.
Wigan, demonstrating resilience, equalized with just 11 minutes remaining. Joe Hugill, coming off the bench, scored with a powerful header from Silko Thomas's clever cross. This goal set the stage for what would be a tense finish.
Just as it looked likely the match would end level, Wrexham substitute Steven Fletcher emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive goal with only moments to spare. His well-placed shot from the edge of the box sent the home fans wild, sealing the victory for the Red Dragons.
With this hard-fought win, Wrexham continues to rise through the League One table, now just two points behind second-placed Wycombe Wanderers. The victory is pivotal as it maintains Wrexham's unbeaten home record, now 10 wins and two draws from 12 league matches.
Wigan, on the other hand, were left to rue missed opportunities; their manager Shaun Maloney emphasized the importance of the match but recognized the challenges they faced away from home. Despite the loss, there were encouraging signs, especially with performances from key players like Babajide Adeeko and Thelo Aasgaard, who were seen as influential figures throughout the match.
Moving forward, both teams will look to capitalize on their experiences from this match. Wrexham will focus on maintaining their momentum and combating the challenges of the upcoming fixtures, knowing the competition for promotion is fierce. Wigan will also seek to build on their performance and turn their fortunes around as they prepare for their upcoming match against Huddersfield Town on New Year's Day.
Overall, the match highlighted the competitive nature of League One football, with Wrexham showcasing their talents once again against Wigan Athletic in front of their home supporters.