Wrexham is gearing up for another key encounter as they face Stockport County this weekend in League One, with both teams vying for promotion. After recently defeating Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 on March 15, 2025, Wrexham has climbed back to the second spot in the league table, and their performances are generating excitement among fans.
Phil Parkinson’s squad has been making waves, especially following their latest victory, which was not just any win—it saw Sam Smith scoring the game’s only goal and earning praise from his manager. This win was significant since both Wrexham and Wycombe were level on points before kick-off. Smith's stunning volley was enough to secure the three points for Wrexham, reaffirming their position and giving their automatic promotion hopes a substantial boost.
Now, with another pivotal match on the horizon, Wrexham is eager to maintain their momentum. “We take it game by game, it’s a big one next weekend now but it’s nice to have no Tuesday fixture,” Smith said, referring to the rare full week of training he will have for the first time since joining the club. Since his arrival from Reading back in January 2025, Smith has had little time to train effectively due to the demanding match schedule. He has voiced excitement over finally being able to focus entirely on their upcoming challenges. The striker expressed, “I think since I’ve been here, it’s been Saturday-Tuesday, so we’ve not been able to train. We’ll have a good week of training and we can rest up and go fresh and try to get the three points.”
Wrexham's rivalry with Stockport County adds another layer of significance to this fixture. The two clubs have shared parallel paths through the leagues and their encounters have drawn considerable attention. Earlier this season, Wrexham fell to Stockport 1-0, and returning to face them on home ground provides not just another chance for redemption but potentially pivotal points toward the end-of-season promotions.
Nick Powell, now with Stockport County, previously entertained serious consideration of joining Wrexham but opted for Stockport instead. A player with significant potential, having signed for Manchester United from Crewe Alexandra for up to £6 million, Powell’s career has been turbulent, especially this season as he has featured only four times, all back in October 2024 due to injuries. Still, he affirmed his respect for Wrexham during his earlier decision process, stating, “It was a really good chat. I’d never say anything bad about somebody who showed interest in me. I think that's just nice within itself.”
With Stockport County’s Callum Connolly indicating the palpable rivalry between the two teams, anticipation builds for the clash at STōK Cae Ras. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, with both teams pushing hard for victory. Parkinson and his team will need to capitalize on the momentum from the latest win against Wycombe to assert their dominance on Saturday.
Historically, both teams have faced trials and triumphs together. Wrexham witnessed Stockport claim the top spot as they fought for promotion out of the National League back during the intense campaigns of the past few years. Subsequent seasons saw them both promoted to League Two and now they find themselves as fierce contenders for the League One title. This year, tensions will undoubtedly be high as both sets of players know what is at stake.
The upcoming weekend match carries not just competitive importance, but emotional nuance borne from past encounters and the shared pursuits of promotion glory. A victory for Wrexham would solidify their standing and reinforce the momentum heading closer to the conclusion of the season.
Stockport, under manager Dave Challinor, is striving to close the gap on Wrexham, and even with Powell’s current absence due to injury complications, the team boasts ample talent capable of shining when it counts most. Current squad dynamics suggest Stockport's resilience remains formidable.
Wrexham's fans, emboldened by recent performances, are ready to cheer their team on during this significant match. The supporters will undoubtedly fill the STōK Cae Ras, where emotions and stakes will run high. This match, whether for pride, redemption, or the pursuit of promotion, will test the skills and strategies of both management and players.
With every point precious, the atmosphere this weekend is set to explode, encapsulating the passion of League One football. Wrexham’s aim is clear: secure three points to not only strengthen their own ambitions but to also send out a strong statement to their rivals.
