WREXHAM, Wales (AP) — Wrexham's bid for a third straight promotion took a hit when the popular Welsh team drew with Bristol 1-1 and slipped one spot into third place Friday. Wrexham is battling for the second automatic promotion berth alongside Birmingham, which has already clinched the League One title and elevation into the second-tier Championship next season.
Wycombe leapfrogged Wrexham by beating Bolton 2-0 on Friday for its third straight victory and a one-point advantage over Wrexham in the standings with three games left. The top two teams earn automatic promotion and the next four enter a playoff for one final promotion spot.
Playing in front of celebrity co-owner Rob McElhenney, Wrexham needed a 76th-minute equalizer from Matty James to offset Taylor Moore's first-half opener at the Racecourse Ground. Wrexham has settled for draws in three of its past four games, and won the other one. Just two years ago, the team was playing in the fifth-tier National League but has surged through England’s soccer pyramid thanks to the injection of cash from McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
Wrexham is now in a tight race for promotion as they sit in third place in League One. With Birmingham City already promoted, the focus shifts to the battle for the second automatic promotion spot, which is currently held by Wycombe Wanderers, who are just one point ahead of Wrexham.
After the match, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson expressed his disappointment at the draw, stating, “I thought the first 30 minutes were okay, we had decent control but without producing the final pass or a cross of quality or any real quality in the final third.” Parkinson noted that after conceding the goal, the team struggled to regain their momentum.
“Then after that up to halftime, I thought we just went in our shell a bit and there wasn't enough players to grab hold of the game and be the man to kind of inspire us back into it,” he added. “I just felt we went into our shells a little bit as a team and obviously second half better, we've got back in it, but still, we didn't feel we produced anywhere near enough quality today to go and win the game. Obviously, it's disappointing to only take a point.”
Wrexham's draw against Bristol Rovers means that automatic promotion is now out of their hands. Even if they win their remaining three games, they need Wycombe to drop points in their run-in. The maximum amount of points Wrexham can generate is 92, but they could still secure a playoff spot if they perform well in their final matches.
The earliest Wrexham can get promoted is April 26 after a home game against Charlton, but that would require them to win both of their upcoming games and for Wycombe to lose theirs. Wrexham's remaining fixtures include a crucial away match against Blackpool on April 21, followed by the home game against Charlton on April 26, and wrapping up the season with an away game against Lincoln City on May 3.
Parkinson remains hopeful that his team can still turn things around. “We’re still in a great position, and whether we succeed or fail this season, I want us to do it by playing better over the course of 90 minutes than we did today,” he said. “If we can secure a third consecutive promotion, then that would be great, but if not, at least we’ve had a real go.”
As the season approaches its climax, Wrexham fans are left to ponder the implications of their team’s recent form. The pressure is on for the Red Dragons as they prepare for their next match against Blackpool. With only three games left to play, every point is crucial.
Wrexham's Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have seen their investment pay off with back-to-back promotions in previous seasons. However, this year has proven to be more challenging as they vie for a place in the Championship. The excitement surrounding the club continues to grow, and the upcoming matches promise to be thrilling.
Wrexham fans are hoping their team can find the form that saw them rise through the ranks of English football. With the support of their celebrity owners and a passionate fanbase, Wrexham is determined to make a strong push for promotion.
As the team gears up for their critical match against Blackpool, the atmosphere at the Racecourse Ground is electric. Fans are rallying behind their squad, hoping for a return to winning ways. The upcoming fixtures will be pivotal, and Wrexham must seize the moment if they want to achieve their goal of reaching the Championship.
With the season drawing to a close, the stakes have never been higher for Wrexham AFC. The next few weeks will determine not only their immediate future but also set the tone for the club's ambitions moving forward. Will they rise to the challenge and secure their place in the Championship, or will the pressure prove too much? Only time will tell.
