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Match Previews

PREVIEW | Stockport County vs Wrexham AFC

We make our first trip to Edgeley Park since 2021

22 September 2023

Match Previews

PREVIEW | Stockport County vs Wrexham AFC

We make our first trip to Edgeley Park since 2021

22 September 2023

Phil Parkinson’s men will be aiming to be make it four unbeaten away fixtures on the bounce when they visit Edgeley Park tomorrow.

Once title rivals, the two clubs will battle it out again with three huge points at stake for both sides.

The Red Dragons go into the fixture four points ahead of Stockport County, knowing a victory could propel them into the automatic promotion spots.

Dave Challinor’s side narrowly missed out on back-to-back promotions last season, losing out in a penalty shootout to Carlisle United at Wembley.

It would have been their first time in Sky Bet League One since the 2009/10 season, but an agonising defeat meant they would lose out on promotion.

The match is set to be a poignant one, with Paul Mullin set to make his 100th appearance in a Wrexham shirt.

THE RECAP

Last time out, the Red Dragons were 3-0 winners against a former play-off rival in Grimsby Town.

Ollie Palmer, Will Boyle and Elliot Lee all found themselves on the scoresheet, capping off what was a scintillating attacking performance.

At the opposite end of the pitch, it was the first home league clean sheet of the season, with an assured performance between the sticks.

The Mariners failed to threaten Mark Howard during the 90 minutes, as the defence nullified any wave of attack from the visitors.

It could have been more for the Red Dragons, with Steven Fletcher and Sam Dalby testing Jake Eastwood, but he was more than equal to their opportunities.

Not only did the win propel the Club into fourth place, but it also extended our unbeaten league run to seven games.

The game also marked Paul Mullin’s first start of the campaign, after coming on as a substitute the previous week against Doncaster Rovers.

EYE ON THE OPPOSITION

Despite their slightly slower start to the season, any visit to Edgeley Park will prove difficult, and this weekend will be no different.

The Hatters sit 11th in the table, with only one defeat at home coming against league leaders Gillingham.

However, since then they have earned back-to-back victories, picking up six points against AFC Wimbledon and MK Dons on the road.

Summer signing Louie Barry has proved to be their dangerman in the final third, bagging five goals in the first eight games of the season.

The former Manchester City and Barcelona youth player joined County in the summer, on loan from his parent club Aston Villa.

Not the traditional route for a young player, but he has been key to their upturn in form over the previous weeks.

Challinor bolstered his squad with other crucial additions in the squad, most notably former Manchester United starlet, Nick Powell.

The 29-year-old arrived at Old Trafford for a fee of up to £6 million, after impressing highly at Crewe Alexandra.

It didn’t work out for him at the Red Devils and found regular first team football at Wigan Athletic and Stoke City.

Their last home victory came just under a month ago, with Barry scoring the only goal of the game in a narrow 1-0 victory.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

In the 2021/22 season, there were three highly competitive fixtures between the two sides, who were both vying for promotion and a chance to play at Wembley.

Tomorrow’s hosts claimed victory in the first game, with former manager Simon Rusk edging out the Red Dragons.

Mullin got the opener in front of a rapturous away end less than a minute into the contest; however, Paddy Madden and Ryan Rydel turned it around to earn the three points.

Before the return league fixture, there was the small matter of the FA Trophy Semi-Final to determine who went to Wembley.

The game was destined for penalties until Mullin scored a sublime dinked finish from 30 yards out to send Wrexham ahead in added time.

He lobbed County stopper Ben Hinchcliffe once more moments later, wrapping up the game and sending the Red Dragons to Wembley.

With both sides having one win a piece, they faced off once more in a game that could have shaped the title race.

Parkinson’s men beat County 3-0 at Y Cae Ras, with a Palmer double taking centre stage, along with yet another goal from our number ten.

HOW TO WATCH

UK supporters who aren't at the STōk Cae Ras can still tune into the fixture by purchasing an audio match pass.  Match, month and season passes are available to access the commentary.

International supporters will be able to watch the live video stream.

To view all package options, click here


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