Wrexham

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Phil Parkinson said watching Jay Rodriguez in training proved why he was right to keep the former Burnley striker on penalty duty.

Rodriguez, 35, thumped home a 60th-minute spot-kick to wrap up Wrexham's 2-0 win at Exeter City, a result that kept them in the League One automatic promotion places.

It was Rodriguez's second goal since making the switch to north Wales in the January transfer window – and his second in as many games after breaking his duck in last week's win over Stockport County.

The Stockport goal also came following a Rodriguez spot-kick, but only after he saw his initial effort saved and struck on the rebound.

The once-capped England frontman called last weekend's missed penalty the worst of his career.

But he remained on spot-kick duties at St James Park after Parkinson kept a close eye on the veteran as they prepared for the Exeter trip.

The Wrexham boss said: "There was no hesitation from me. He's an experienced player who's been at the top level. It was great for him to get his goal last week.

"There was a few taking penalties in training on Friday and I watched them closely. He was very confident and I was confident in him stepping up today."

Rodriguez slammed the ball home in front of the 900 travelling Wrexham fans as the Welsh club claimed a first win which came by more than a one-goal margin since beating Northampton six weeks ago.

Wrexham had won four of their past five games by a 1-0 scoreline having won 16 games by a single goal – the most in the division.

With Rodriguez adding to Rathbone's 23rd-minute opener, Parkinson said: "We did speak about it at half-time; Exeter would have the wind with them, attacking that noisy terrace.

"But we didn't sit back, we took the game to them with some really good play – and a second goal makes it more comfortable on the touchline and for our supporters."

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Wrexham are in "good shape" as they go into the final eight games of the League One season.

The Dragons currently occupy the second automatic promotion spot after crucial back-to-back wins over rivals Wycombe Wanderers and Stockport County.

"There's a good understanding of what's required within the group and everyone's pulling together," manager Phil Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"We're ready and eight big games coming up. The lads are in good shape."

Wrexham were 3-0 winners over Saturday's opponents Exeter City when the sides met at the Stok Racecourse in November.

Exeter are unbeaten in their last six league games and Parkinson is expecting a tough test against Gary Caldwell's men.

"The Exeter challenge is another interesting one," Parkinson added.

"They've had an upturn in form recently but we got down there in really good spirits.

"They had a period where they were getting drawn into the relegation battle – the recent form has given them a bit of breathing space."

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The League One promotion race is getting interesting - and especially for Wrexham as they aim to return to the second tier for the first time in 43 years.

Ahead of Saturday's trip to Exeter City, we asked you who will be a key player for manager Phil Parkinson in the final eight fixtures of the season.

Here's a selection of your responses.

Jay - Much as I like [Sam] Smith, [Jay] Rodriguez has got to step up. Whoever partners Smith for the rest of the season is going to be the key player, because he can't play on his own.

Graham - This Wrexham team are built around a strong defensive set-up who leak very few goals. This will be the foundation of any success this season coupled with the ability to wear sides down before bringing [Steven] Fletcher on to finish them off.

David - The growing impact of the January signings - [Ryan] Longman, Rodriguez, and Smith - will trigger attacking synergy with [Ollie] Rathbone, [Matty] James and [Elliot] Lee. Goals will flow more easily and confidence will spread. Key man: perhaps surprisingly, Rodriguez.

Mike – It's goals that will get us up and Smith is the boy to do it. Also the experience of [Eoghan] O'Connell at the back.

Mitch - We still have Elliot Lee still coming back into the team. Think he could have an impact in the run-in.

Paul - With eight games left, results are the key not performances. Scoring has been the problem all year, which has meant the defence have been critical. O'Connell has been crucial leading the defence and was definitely man of the match on Saturday. Clean sheets will see us pinch games and Smith will be the man to do that.

David - Wrexham have a slightly easier run in than Wycombe. Sam Smith is crucial. Would like [Paul] Mullin to be involved.

Ollie – All players will play their part. Arthur [Okonkwo] will make some saves, Sam will score some goals, Macca (James McClean) will put some crosses in, Ollie will not stop running. Every player has played their part this season and I can't see it stopping.

Chris - If the players keep putting in a shift anything is possible. As with any team new signings take time to fit in and disrupted the rhythm of the team. Okonkwo has found his best form but needs to impose himself more.

Mike - The back three and keeper just need to keep doing what they're doing. Midfield hasn't really functioned all season along with left-wingback and the strikers, but we seem to find enough somehow when it matters. If we don't get second I suspect we've not enough for the intensity of the play-offs. Big rebuild required in the summer if we don't go up.

Fearless in Devotion - Arthur Okonkwo is key. He's coming into his own once again and showing why he was highly thought of at Arsenal. Then you've got player-of-the-season contender Ollie Rathbone. If he's on song, then the entire side usually are. Grossly underrated but an absolute Rolls Royce of a midfielder. Back to back to back olé olé? It's ON.

Rob - Jimmy McClean - his never-say-die attitude and what he brings to the team.

Stephen - Smith is the man that will keep the Wrexham fight going.

Andy - Rathbone has the engine to keep going for 90 mins non-stop. He's the key to automatic promotion.

Dai - Mullin has just shown his class in a reserve match, Parkinson needs to include him in the next matchday squad or at least tell the fans why he is frozen out.

Ashley - We've got the experience of doing it back to back, think we will go up again now. Think we have an easier run in than Wycombe. Rathbone and Smith the key men.

Ian - Sam Smith is our main striker now and the most likely to score important goals during the run-in. Rathbone is player of the season for me and brings energy like nobody else. Eight big games from O'Connell in defence would give us a great chance of promotion.

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There are just eight games to go in the League One promotion race - and Wrexham's Championship dream is very much alive.

Phil Parkinson's side head to Exeter City on Saturday having jumped ahead of Wycombe Wanderers into the automatic spots, albeit having played a game more.

Saturday's 1-0 win over Stockport sees Wrexham with the chance of a third successive promotion in their own hands.

Yet - even with a run of fixtures against sides in the lower-half of the table - it will still need some of Parkinson's squad to make their quality count when it matters most.

But who will be the key player in these final six weeks of the season?

Will it be record-signing Sam Smith, or striker partner Jay Rodriguez who broke his Wrexham duck with the winner at the weekend?

Is the experience and engine of skipper James McClean what's needed most now, or the goalkeeping heroics of Arthur Okonkwo?

Summer arrival Ollie Rathbone was man of the match against Stockport, but will one of the previous year's stars such as Steve Fletcher or even Paul Mullin make all the difference to returning to the second-tier?

Wrexham fans can have your say by sending your views here., external

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Phil Parkinson says he did not consider dropping January signing Jay Rodriguez before the striker broke his goal duck against Stockport County.

The veteran forward, 35, netted his first Wrexham goal on his 11th appearance for the club as the Red Dragons move back into second in League One with victory over Dave Challinor's side.

And Parkinson believes Rodriguez's influence has grown since he moved to the Stok Racecourse from Championship high-flyers Burnley in January.

"With Jay, he's had a long period of coming off the bench at Burnley," he said.

"We can sense he's getting fitter and stronger all the time. When you go from being a sub to playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday, it's tough.

"But he gives us a lot. We left him out of the cup game to give him a breather that week.

"But with this week's training, I felt he was looking really sharp and ready. It's brilliant for him."

Rodriguez has started 10 successive league matches for Wrexham, with fellow winter window arrival Sam Smith also being handed a prominent role since moving to north Wales.

And Parkinson feels the reaction of his Wrexham players to Rodriguez's goal against Stockport typified how grateful they are for the forward's efforts.

"His physical output is the highest on the pitch which is extraordinary really," added Parkinson.

"That's the level you've got to get to to be a Premier League and Championship player.

"His intelligence, the positions he takes up in and out of possession has helped the team a lot. But of course, everyone wants to get those moments.

"The reaction of the lads when he scored tells you everything."

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Phil Parkinson says he does not believe it is a two-horse race between Wrexham and Wycombe Wanderers for second place in League One this season.

The Red Dragons earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Stockport County on Saturday to rise above the Chairboys into the second and final automatic promotion spot in the third tier, although Wycombe have a game in hand.

With Charlton Athletic - like fifth-placed Stockport - suffering defeat at the weekend, Wrexham and Wycombe have a slightly larger gap between themselves and the chasing pack when it comes to the quest for a top two place this season.

But Parkinson said it would be a "dangerous mindset" to assume only two sides remain in the mix to join leaders Birmingham City in the top two come the end of the campaign.

"For quite a while people have been saying it's a two-horse race," he said. "I don't buy into that at all.

"It's a dangerous mindset to have, writing other teams off. Charlton have been on a brilliant run, they've come unstuck today."

Wrexham are now eight points above Charlton and nine clear of Stockport - with all three sides having eight games still to play.

"Us beating Stockport just opens that gap between us," added Parkinson.

"I'm just going to keep concentrating on ourselves and see if we can win enough games to keep us in that top two."

Wrexham are nine points behind leaders Birmingham, with the table-topping side also having two games in hand.

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Waynne Phillips hopes Jay Rodriguez can embark on a goal-scoring run over the final stages of the campaign after netting his first goal for Wrexham against Stockport County.

After seeing his penalty saved by Corey Addai, the striker fired into the net from the rebound to earn Phil Parkinson's men a 1-0 victory over Dave Challinor's side at the Stok Racecourse.

It was the striker's first goal on his 11th appearance since joining from Burnley during the January transfer window, and former Wrexham midfielder Phillips hopes the 35-year-old can now have a big impact over the final eight games of the season.

"I'm so happy for him," Phillips told BBC Radio Cymru.

"The longer he goes without a goal, I'm sure it'll play on his mind.

"It wasn't the best penalty but he was lucky that the ball fell back to him and he finished it well. 

"He could go on a run now and score four or five before the end of the season. That's what we hope for and that Wrexham keep on winning games."

Wrexham rose above Wycombe Wanderers, who have a game in hand, into second place in the League One table courtesy of what was a fourth 1-0 victory in five games.

And while the performance against Stockport was far from perfect, Phillips says winning was all that matters for Wrexham.

"It looks very good (the table)," he added. "A win for Wrexham was all that was needed today.

"Stockport losing and Charlton losing heavily at Peterborough, so it's starting to look like it's between Wrexham and Wycombe for second place. 

"It was important to follow-up last weekend's win at Wycombe against Stockport today and that's exactly what Wrexham have done.

"There'll be no complaints tonight, everyone's gone home happy and there are only eight left now."

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Jay Rodriguez admits it was a "relief" to finally get off the mark for Wrexham despite his goal coming immediately after one of the "worst penalties" he has taken in his career.

The veteran striker, 35, netted his first goal on his 11th appearance since moving to north Wales from Burnley in January.

But even ending his goal drought was not without concern as Rodriguez saw his penalty saved by Stockport County goalkeeper Corey Addai in the meeting between the sides at the Stok Racecourse on Saturday.

Fortunately for Rodriguez, he was alert to guide the rebound into the net from a tight angle as Wrexham secured another vital 1-0 win in their quest for a third successive promotion.

"The main thing is the three points, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about getting the goal," said Rodriguez.

"It's a nice relief. I've always said to myself that if I continue to work hard, keep improving in every training session, do my finishing and keep knuckling down, hopefully it'll come good.

"I've always had that belief, it's done good for me throughout my career so I won't change now. Hopefully I can get on a run and help the team."

On his spot-kick, Rodriguez said: "I think it's probably one of the worst penalties I've ever taken to be honest, it was meant to go higher than that and into the corner.

"But fortunately it bounced for me and I finished it. Hopefully if I do take another one it'll go straight in."

Victory lifted Wrexham back above Wycombe Wanderers into second place in League One, although the Chairboys, who are three points behind the Welsh side, have a game in hand.

Rodriguez says he was grateful for his transfer to north Wales in the opening month of the year as the club continues to aim for the upper echelons of the football pyramid.

"You have to dream big otherwise there's no point in turning up every day and working hard. The best place to be is in the Premier League," added the forward.

"We've got eight really important games now. You can't look too far ahead but you can dream, but you have to take care of business.

"It's really admirable that the club's been from where it's been to be where it is now and it's still pushing now, it's something I'm really proud to be a part of.

"It's a big thing for me to leave my hometown club Burnley, it had to be a really big project, and obviously Wrexham is a massive project.

"To be asked to come along, I'm grateful for the opportunity. It had to be a big thing, and it was a good situation for all."

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Wrexham Women will play their upcoming home Adran Premier fixture with Briton Ferry Llansawel at the Stok Racecourse.

Steve Dale's side travel to Old Road to face the south Wales side on 23 March before hosting the same opposition in north Wales a week later (14:00 GMT).

Wrexham are bidding to continue their impressive run of form, with Dale's outfit winning their past seven matches in succession across all competitions.

They booked their place in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup final for the second year running with a 4-0 win against Pontypridd United on Sunday.

Wrexham currently sit third in the Adran Premier, four points adrift of Briton Ferry with four league matches of the season remaining.

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Iwan Roberts says Wrexham provided a "brilliant" response to their defeat at Reading by beating Wycombe Wanderers.

Having lost 2-0 to the Royals four days earlier, Phil Parkinson's men defeated the Chairboys at Adams Park courtesy of Sam Smith's 78th minute goal on Saturday.

Victory lifted Wrexham above Wycombe into second in League One, although Mike Dodds' side could return to the automatic promotion places by beating Rotherham United in their game in hand on Tuesday night (19:45 GMT).

"It wasn't a classic. You could see that the two teams, not under pressure, but there were nerves out on the pitch because it was such a big game for both sides," Roberts told BBC Radio Cymru Dros Frecwast.

"But what a goal to win it from Sam Smith.

"Of course there was a long delay due to a medical emergency with a Wrexham fan, and we had a delay of almost an hour before the players came back out after hearing the fan was in a stable condition.

"Wycombe had a chance right after the restart that was cleared off the line by George Dobson and then within seconds Sam Smith scores.

"But it's so close (in the table). Wycombe play tomorrow night, they're at Rotherham so they've got a chance to go second again.

"Charlton are only five points behind Wrexham and Stockport only six points behind, but it was a brilliant result after they had lost 2-0 at Reading."

Wrexham return to action against fifth-placed Stockport County at the Stok Racecourse on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

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Sam Smith believes Wrexham's hunger and aggressive nature paved the way for his side's return to winning ways at Wycombe Wanderers.

Phil Parkinson's side saw their four-game winning run away from home in the league come to an end on Tuesday night as they were beaten 2-0 by Reading.

But they responded to that setback at the Select Car Leasing Stadium with a vital 1-0 win at Wycombe - with Smith scoring the only goal of the match at Adams Park.

Victory lifted Wrexham above the Chairboys into second in League One, and Smith lauded strike partner Steven Fletcher for his assist.

"I just know when Fletch comes on, he's a presence. If I can get around him he can create a chance," said Smith.

"I caught it sweet. I think it took a little nick, but it's in the back of the net, that's all that matters.

"It's massive. Everyone was bitterly disappointed on Tuesday night, it wasn't us, it was so far from what we want to be as a team.

"We came here today hungry and aggressive and I think the game plan worked.

"I want to be challenging for promotion and try and chip in with goals and put in good performances and hard work for the team.

"I'm looking forward to the nine massive games, but we'll take each one as it comes."

The match was delayed with the score at 0-0 as a Wrexham supporter needed medical attention.

The fan was later taken to hospital in a stable condition, with Smith netting his third goal since joining Wrexham in January shortly after play resumed.

The 27-year-old celebrated his strike in front of the travelling supporters and made a heart gesture in tribute to the fan.

"The gaffer made a clear point that we're here to play football, but people come to watch and it's what everyone loves," added the forward.

"When something happens like that, it puts things into perspective.

"We've heard he's in a stable condition so everyone's happy about that and I think he'll be delighted when he finds out the result.

"The manager said to go out there and do it for the fans, and I think we did that."

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Andy Morrell says Wrexham cannot afford to lose at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday (15:00 GMT) - but says the club are currently "well above" where he expected them to be this season.

Phil Parkinson's side were beaten 2-0 at Reading on Tuesday as they missed the chance to rise above Wycombe into second in League One.

But they could move into the automatic promotion spots with victory against the Chairboys, although former Wrexham player and manager Morrell feels the game at Adams Park is a must-not-lose for Parkinson's side.

"They can't lose the game," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"They need to take something out of this game.

"Wycombe have got 10 games left after [Wrexham] and six of those are against top-nine teams, so it's very much in our hands.

"We've got to just go there and play. Go and do what they've done all season which has been fantastic and well above where I expected them to be and try and get something out of the game."

Following a hectic schedule of late, Parkinson has suggested he will rotate his squad for the contest with Mike Dodds' outfit.

And Morrell praised Parkinson for the way he has kept his talented squad happy during his tenure in north Wales.

"I think that's his hardest task," added Morrell.

"He's done it brilliantly for the past two-and-a-half years because we've had a really good squad and he keeps adding to it so the depth is crazy.

"You keep everybody happy because the team is winning. They've done ever so well, to be right in contention with 10 games to go, I think everybody would've taken that at the start of the season."

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson acknowledges the challenges of keeping everyone in his squad happy and motivated and insisted everyone has a part to play.

The Dragons are currently third in League One with Saturday's opponents Wycombe Wanderers above them in second spot on goal difference.

Parkinson has said he will utilise his squad for the game with injury doubts over a number of players following the midweek loss at Reading.

The manager said that with fierce competition in the squad some players were going to miss out.

"They're all good lads and they understand. Everybody knows there's a goal that everyone is striving for," Parkinson said.

"We speak to the lads who are not involved a lot and the key to our success over the last few years has been the strength of the group and the characters in that dressing room and this year's no different.

"Whether you play for two minutes, 92 minutes or don't make the squad – everybody's got a part to play in terms of the way they train every day and the way they conduct themselves around the training ground.

"That's really important to us because unfortunately we can only pick 11 players to start and then another seven on the bench and there's nothing we can do about it.

"We make selections with lots of things in mind.

"Some players are in good form and go into the team and others out and that changes as we go along.

"We also look at training as well, who's looking in good form because that counts for a lot."

Parkinson cited the attitude of former club captain Luke Young after the midfielder lost his starting place.

Young, a member of a squad who won back to back promotions along with Paul Mullin and Olly Palmer, left to join Cheltenham Town last summer.

"A couple of years ago I remember closing in on the National League title and Luke Young found himself out of the team – a stalwart of the team," Parkinson added.

"I remember the game we left him out and everybody felt 'Youngy's out of the team' and at the time I felt he needed a bit of a breather.

"Andy Cannon came in and grasped his opportunity and that's what happens during the course of a season.

"Youngy's a great example because as much as he found himself suddenly out of the team he conducted himself brilliantly and played his part – as he did last year.

"That's just the nature of a football squad in the course of a season."

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Wrexham have paid tribute to former goalkeeper Steve Fleet who has died aged 87 after being diagnosed with cancer.

Fleet made 96 competitive first team appearances for Wrexham between 1963 and 1966 after joining from Manchester City.

He signed for Stockport County in 1966 and played a key role in helping the club end the campaign as Division Four champions.

Fleet took up coaching after retiring from professional football and had spells in charge of Icelandic sides IA Akranes and IBV.

A Wrexham statement read: "Everyone at Wrexham AFC send their deepest condolences to his son Wesley and their wider family at this sad time."