Wrexham

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James McClean says he feels a significant responsibility to set the tone at Wrexham having been handed the club captaincy for the 2024-25 campaign.

The midfielder has worn the armband this season following the departures of Luke Young and Ben Tozer over the summer.

The former Republic of Ireland international has led by example as Phil Parkinson's men claimed 20 of the first 30 points on offer to sit second in the League One table after 10 matches.

He scored twice as Wrexham beat Northampton Town 4-1 in north Wales to move within two points of league leaders Birmingham City.

And the 35-year-old - who won 103 caps for his country - hopes his efforts continue to rub off on his Wrexham team-mates.

"To be trusted with that role, for me, my motto has always been to work as hard as I can each day and never get out-worked," McClean said.

"If that rubs off on all of the players then absolutely brilliant, because this team is built on hard work.

"For me to be given the armband and the opportunity to lead this team out then I feel it's a responsibility for me to make sure that I'm bang at it every game when it comes to setting the tone."

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Ryan Barnett is rivalling Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer for assists this season after the Wrexham defender’s hat-trick of set-ups against Northampton.

Barnett laid on goals for Elliott Lee and James McClean in the 4-1 Racecourse win that kept Phil Parkinson’s side second in the League One standings.

It took the 25-year-old right-back’s tally for assists to five for the season after also laying on goals in the wins over Reading and Shrewsbury.

Only Arsenal ace Saka and Chelsea star Palmer have registered more in the Premier League, with Saka already with seven assists to his name in the top-flight. England midfielder Palmer also has five, as has West Brom midfielder Tom Fellows.

Barnett was named Wrexham’s man of the match against Northampton having also had a role in Jack Marriott’s strike, the former Derby striker’s fifth goal of the season.

It also takes Barnett’s assists past last season’s tally of four as he played a key role in Wrexham’s promotion back to the third tier for the first time in 19 years.

The performance against Northampton earned Barnett a standing ovation, something the player admitted was “brilliant”.

On social media, captain McClean described the display as a “masterclass” while executive director replied to Shrewsbury-born Barnett’s own post celebrating the win dubbing him “The Shropshire Shevchenko”.

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Waynne Phillips hailed Wrexham's "classy performance" as they returned to winning ways by beating Northampton Town 4-1 at the Stok Racecourse. 

A James McClean brace along with goals from Jack Marriott and Elliot Lee earned Phil Parkinson's side an emphatic victory over the Cobblers in north Wales.

And former Wrexham midfielder Phillips hailed some of the Red Dragons' goals in the contest as "outstanding".

"Brilliant afternoon for Wrexham, it was very comfortable," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"They started the afternoon on the back foot, Northampton asked a few questions early on. Wrexham became dominant and got the goal they deserved; they were sailing. 

"The shock of the half came when Northampton found an equaliser. Not for one moment did I see that coming. 

“Wrexham got back to their game well and got that all important second goal before half-time.

"In the second half, the two goals that Wrexham scored from Elliot Lee and James McClean were outstanding.

"The last 15 minutes then became simply ‘ole football’. It was a classy performance."

Victory over Northampton moved Wrexham - who sit second - to within two points of League One leaders Birmingham City.

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Ryan Barnett described the standing ovation he received after being withdrawn during Wrexham's 4-1 win over Northampton Town as "one of the best feelings" of his career.

The right wing-back played a key role in all four of his side's goals against the Cobblers and registered three assists as Phil Parkinson's men moved to within two points of League One leaders Birmingham City.

Barnett was replaced by Seb Revan in the 86th minute of the contest with Jon Brady's outfit and received significant applause from the home supporters as he walked off the pitch.

"It was nice to be honest, I was absolutely shattered," he said.

"When the gaffer brought me off, you want to be there for the 90 minutes but sometimes when the games come Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, it's a tough ask.

"The reaction when I came off was brilliant, it's one of the best feelings of my career."

Victory was Wrexham's sixth from 10 League One matches so far this season, and Barnett was pleased his side could react after failing to score against Leyton Orient and Stevenage in their previous two outings.

"I think from the start if you said where we were now, you'd 100% have taken it," added Barnett.

"There's been a couple of dodgy performances in there, but if you look at today, we've reacted to it straight away.

"We'll take the start, but it's only the start, we've got to keep it going."

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James McClean believes Wrexham are "more than a match" for anyone in League One after they returned to winning ways with a 4-1 triumph over Northampton Town.

McClean netted twice to add to goals from Jack Marriott and Elliot Lee as Phil Parkinson's side moved to within two points of league leaders Birmingham City following the Blues' 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic.

Victory came after Wrexham - who sit second in the table after the opening 10 games of the campaign - failed to score in their previous two fixtures - against Leyton Orient and Stevenage.

And McClean feels Wrexham are more than capable of challenging their promotion rivals this season if they can produce high performance levels on a consistent basis.

"You look at the squad we have and the quality we have, when we're bang at it, we're more than a match for anybody, but you have to be bang at it every game," he said.

"If you ease up or you're a little bit off it like we have been in the last couple of games, the results speak for themselves. You can't afford to do that.

"This team is built on hard work. We've got the quality, but first and foremost we need to work hard, and when we're at it and it clicks like it did today, it's a joy to behold."

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Wrexham’s Jacob Mendy has been named in The Gambia’s squad for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar.

Wing-back Mendy, who has three caps, has made three Wrexham appearances so far this season having recovered from injury.

The Gambia will take on Madagascar twice, on 11 October and again three days later, with both games being played in Morocco.

Wrexham’s League One game against Lincoln City, which was scheduled for 12 October, has been postponed because of the Imps’ international call-ups.

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Dan Scarr has had to be patient since dropping out of the Championship to join Wrexham in August.

Centre-back Scarr made 28 second-tier appearances for Plymouth Argyle last season.

But the 29-year-old watched Wrexham make a promising start to the League One campaign from the bench, with his only game time in the first seven weeks of 2024-25 coming in cup competitions.

That all changed when Max Cleworth suffered an ankle ligament injury at Leyton Orient last weekend.

Scarr made his Wrexham league debut as a late substitute at Brisbane Road, before making his first third-tier start for the Dragons in the midweek defeat at Stevenage.

Now the former Wycombe Wanderers and Walsall player is eyeing a first Wrexham league appearance on home soil when Northampton Town come to the Stok Racecourse this Saturday.

“The atmosphere has been great every time I have been on the bench,” Scarr said.

“All being well, it would be nice to get a start and play in front of the home fans.”

Wrexham’s aim this weekend will be to make amends after they were beaten in the league for just the second time this season.

Scarr acknowledged that Phil Parkinson’s team “slipped below our standard” in the first half at Stevenage, but insists there is no need for concern.

“We have done well this season. We will pick ourselves up, go again on Saturday and try to put it right.”

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Wrexham will return to the Stok Racecourse on Saturday knowing a win would be timely as they attempt to stay in touch with Birmingham City at the top of League One.

The Blues continued their spectacular form in midweek, beating Huddersfield Town 1-0 to make it seven successive league victories.

Birmingham are five points clear at the summit of the third tier and have a game in hand over second-placed Wrexham.

Phil Parkinson’s side have lost ground this week, having lost for only the second time in the league this season at Stevenage on Tuesday after drawing with Leyton Orient last Saturday.

A win against 19th-placed Northampton Town this weekend would be welcome, therefore, especially as Wrexham will then go 14 days without a league fixture following the postponement of their game against Lincoln City, which had been due to take place on 12 October.

Northampton may not be relishing the prospect of a trip to north Wales after back-to-back home defeats against Bolton Wanderers and Mansfield Town, though Jon Brady’s side did claim the scalp of Huddersfield Town on their last away day.

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The kick-off time for Wrexham's League One game at Shrewsbury Town on 18 January has been brought forward due to police advice.

The fixture at Croud Meadow was originally scheduled to get under way at 15:00 GMT.

But the club has confirmed the match - which will be Wrexham's first league fixture at Shrewsbury since 2008 - will now kick-off at the earlier time of 12:30 GMT.

Goals from Ollie Palmer, Jack Marriott and Elliot Lee earned Phil Parkinson's side a 3-0 victory in the most recent meeting between the sides in September.

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Phil Parkinson has welcomed the idea of Wrexham having a chance to play European football through success in a Welsh cup competition.

As things stand, Wrexham, Cardiff City, Swansea City and Newport County are only able to qualify for European competitions via the Premier League, FA Cup or EFL Cup.

But discussions have taken place at the four clubs and the Football Association of Wales about the idea of entering the Welsh League Cup - currently known as the Nathaniel MG Cup - for a chance to represent Wales in the Europa Conference League.

Parkinson says it would be “fantastic” for Wales’ EFL clubs to have a route into Europe through Welsh domestic competition.

“To have that opportunity to get into Europe again for the club would be amazing,” said the Wrexham boss.

“Hopefully that comes to fruition.”

The proposal – known as Prosiect Cymru, Welsh for Project Wales – has been presented to Uefa, the Football Association, Premier League and clubs in the Cymru Premier, Wales’ domestic top flight.

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Wrexham are waiting for news on the extent of George Evans’ injury after the midfielder was forced off during Tuesday’s defeat at Stevenage.

Evans made his first League One start of the season at the Lamex Stadium, but was forced off early in the second half.

“It’s such a shame for George because he has worked hard to get back into the team,” said Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.

“He felt something crack. I don’t know what it is, but it is a huge blow.”

Evans’ injury comes after defender Max Cleworth suffered ankle ligament damage in last weekend’s draw at Leyton Orient.

Parkinson said Cleworth’s return date remains uncertain, but said his problem was “not as bad as we first feared”.

“We have had a decent run with injuries so far this season but one or two things have caught up with us a little bit now,” Parkinson added.

“We have to reassess a little bit and look ahead to the weekend.”

Wrexham go in search of a first league win in three games when they host Northampton Town on Saturday.

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Wrexham's League One clash with Lincoln City on 12 October has been postponed due to international call-ups within the Imps' squad.

The fixture - to be played at the Stok Racecourse - will now take place later in the season after the English Football League (EFL) approved Lincoln's request for the game to be postponed.

A rescheduled date will be confirmed by both clubs and the EFL in due course.

Wrexham currently sit second in the third tier, three points ahead of Lincoln who are third with a game in hand over Phil Parkinson's side.

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Wrexham forward Ava Suckley says it was "surreal" to score at the Stok Racecourse - but was left frustrated by Adran Premier defeat to Swansea City Women.

Wrexham remain without a point in this season’s top flight after Swansea beat the Red Dragons 3-2 in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 on Sunday.

Suckley, 20, lifted hopes with a well-taken goal which made it 1-1 10 minutes before half-time, only for the visitors to score twice in the second half.

Rosie Hughes netted what proved to be a late consolation goal for Wrexham.

On her goal, Wrexham fan Suckley said: “I don’t think I’ve felt anything like it, coming here week-in, week-out, watching the men’s team - to score here was surreal.

“To have so many young fans here is amazing. I wouldn’t have thought anything like this would have happened, all these kids to come out and watch. I’m just glad to be inspiring another generation.

“But it is frustrating not to get any points. We stepped up from last weekend but three losses is a bit of a confidence downer. But we’ll work hard in training and hopefully get the three points next week.”

Wrexham boss Steve Dale was unhappy at conceding two set-piece goals.

He said: “We need to click together and get more momentum in games and get after teams a little bit. The performance was much improved from last week but we have to move on and get ready for Aberystwyth next week.”

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says losing Max Cleworth will be a blow as he waits to discover the extent of the defender's ankle injury.

Cleworth, 22, has been one of seven ever-presents in Wrexham's starting side during their impressive beginning to life in League One.

The homegrown centre-back - who has scored three and created one goal so far - had played every minute before limping off in the closing stages of Saturday's goalless draw at Leyton Orient.

Parkinson confirmed Cleworth had damaged his ankle ligaments but is hoping the problem is not too serious.

Cleworth will definitely miss Tuesday's trip to Stevenage, but Parkinson says he is happy with his options to replace last season's young player of the year.

Dan Scarr came in for Cleworth for the final minutes at Brisbane Road to make his first league appearance since signing from Plymouth.

Fellow summer arrival Lewis Brunt is also waiting to make his mark having joined from Leicester City.

"It would be a blow to lose Max, but injuries happen," said Parkinson. "It’s part and parcel of football, you have to cope with them.

"And we have got good players ready to come in. Dan Scarr has been outstanding ever since he walked into the building, Lewis Brunt has been waiting for his opportunity, there's Will Boyle, George Evans can play there.

"Of course we want everyone available and fit, but the reality is you will get injuries through the season, we just hope Max isn’t too bad."

Wrexham's point at Orient leaves them second in the League One table.

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