By Jake Maddaford
Wrexham plan to host another promotion party when they welcome League Two champions Stockport County at The Racecourse on Saturday, in their final game of this season.
In what could once have been a match where Wrexham might have won the League Two title in front of their own fans, it is now a game where, regardless of the outcome, both teams’ futures are sealed.
Stockport are currently seven points clear at the top of the table and Wrexham are third. However, the Reds are only behind second place Mansfield on goal difference.
Both Wrexham and Stockport have achieved the prizes they had in mind before a ball had been kicked – and those which matter most at the end of the season, though – promotion to League One.
Wrexham go into the game in great form, with six wins in their last seven matches, winning their last three in that run by an aggregate score of 13-1.
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson says he's looking forward to a "great finale" to their League Two campaign when they host champions Stockport on Saturday ⚽ #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/lcxiNCKfwm
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) April 25, 2024
The visitors, however, are on a seemingly imperious run, unbeaten since February and currently have eight wins in a row, proving why they are deserving champions.
It will be a very special day for the hosts, as in their last home game they achieved back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club’s history. Promotion will see Wrexham play in the third tier for the first time since 2005.
“We’re ecstatic to win promotion but we are going to go all out to play as well as we can and try and finish the season well,” said Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson.
“It’s always good to finish at home with a good performance.
“Of course that’s what we are aiming to do. We’re up against an excellent side – we know that and credit to [Stockport boss] Dave Challinor and his staff for what they’ve achieved.
“We’re looking forward to the weekend but excited to go toe-to-toe with them again next year in terms of both going into a new division.
“When the fixtures came out I think everybody looked at this fixture and could it be a season-defining game?
“Fortunately both teams have got the business done early and it’s great for us to meet in what is a celebration game.
“Equally, we’re looking forward to a cracking atmosphere here at the Racecourse.
“It’s great, a finale of our League Two campaign and we can then look ahead to the summer and League One next year.”
Phil Parkinson says @Wrexham_AFC players and staff deserve credit for clinching promotion before what could have been a crunch final-day game and everyone can enjoy the occasion against Stockport.https://t.co/Uz8ptxyDwD
— LeaderLive (@leaderlive) April 25, 2024
County also have big plans for this coming weekend, as they revealed in a club statement.
It announced: “We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible for the open top bus parade this Sunday, leaving Stockport Town Hall at 3pm.”
Wrexham will do well to cope with the County attack. One player in particular in very good form is Paddy Madden, who has seven goals in his last five games, including two hat-tricks.
It’s also a tale of two of the best goalkeepers in the division, with County’s 36-year-old goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe on the verge of securing the Golden Glove with 17 clean sheets this season.
Wrexham’s keeper Arthur Okonkwo, who is 13 years Hinchcliffe’s junior, has also had a breakthrough campaign on loan from Arsenal, recording 14 clean sheets in 35 games, and is also averaging the least goals conceded in the league this season with 0.8.
While both sides have secured their future for next season, this game will be a good indicator to see which one of them could adapt more quickly to life in League One.
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Hold My Beer . . . Wrexham Poised To Clinch Another Promotion Party
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