After losing to Birmingham City on Monday, Wrexham will seek to win again when they host Crawley Town in League One on Saturday.
Crawley will also be aiming for a better response after only getting one point from their previous three league games. Following back-to-back promotions, Wrexham made a strong start to the 2024-25 League One season, drawing with Bolton Wanderers before winning three consecutive games without conceding.
Unfortunately for the Red Dragons, their unbeaten start to the league season came to an end on Monday against Birmingham City, which was watched by David Beckham, Blues minority owner Tom Brady, and Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney.
Jack Marriott opened the scoring in the third minute to give the Welsh side the perfect start, but Birmingham eventually flexed their muscles to win the game with a brace from League One record signing Jay Stansfield and a Tomoki Iwata score.
Despite their 3-1 setback, Wrexham stay top of the League One standings, thanks to a goal difference advantage over Birmingham and Charlton Athletic.
The Red Dragons will seek to maintain their lead when they face Crawley on Saturday, looking for their fifth successive home win in all competitions.
Crawley, like Wrexham, were promoted from League Two last season after winning the May playoff final against Crewe Alexandra.
The Reds got off to a fast start in their first League One season since 2015-16, defeating Blackpool 2-1 before winning narrowly away to Cambridge United.
However, the enthusiasm gained from Crawley’s promising start was dashed by successive league defeats to Wigan Athletic and Barnsley.
Scott Lindsey’s side were unable to win their most recent match against Stockport County, although they avoided defeat thanks to Junior Quitirna’s 68th-minute penalty.
Following a 1-1 home draw against Stockport, Crawley will now head on their travels with hopes of collecting an away win over Wrexham for the first time.
Time since March 2009. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has stated that winger Luke Bolton will be sidelined for around two weeks owing to a foot injury.
Midfielder Andy Cannon is vying for a starting berth after returning from injury to play as a substitute against Birmingham.
Marriott will try to build on his outstanding form, having scored in each of his past three league matches.
Dion Conroy, Gavan Holohan, and Sonny Fish have yet to play this season, and the trio’s travel to Wales is in doubt.
Quitirna could be given a starting berth after coming off the bench to score a penalty in the 1-1 draw with Stockport.
Bradley Ibrahim, a summer signing, made his debut as a substitute last weekend and could see more minutes off the bench on Saturday.
Wrexham’s likely starting lineup: Okonkwo; Barnett, Cleworth, O’Connell, O’Connor, McClean; Cannon, Dobson, Lee; Marriott, Palmer.
Crawley Town’s likely starting lineup: Wollacott; Mullarkey, Mukena, Flint; Camara, Williams, Anderson, Kelly; Darcy, Quitirna; Swan.
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