da heads bet: For the remainder of the campaign, GOAL will be bringing you up to date with the Red Dragons' progress in League Two and the cup competitions
da brdice: What a time to be a Wrexham fan! First there was the infamous takeover by Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, then came the record points tally to win the National League title and now the expectation is that Phil Parkinson's side will make light work of League Two in their quest to climb the English football pyramid.
The Premier League is clearly the ultimate goal for the Welsh club and with the financial backing from the States – and an ever-improving squad that has proved it can mix it up with teams in higher divisions – you wouldn't rule out Wrexham making it to the big time at some point in the future.
For now, though, it's League Two and delivering on the expectations of promotion. GOAL will be there every step of the way to grade each of Wrexham's matches – do join us!
Getty ImagesSeptember 16: Wrexham 3-0 Grimsby Town, League Two
Wrexham were excellent against Grimsby, turning in one of their most accomplished performances of the season to record a 3-0 win.
Ollie Palmer scored the opening goal, getting on the end of a superbly judged Elliott Lee cross and heading into the back of the net. And similarly effective wing-play from James McClean allowed Will Boyle to score the second header of the game, and give Wrexham a 2-0 lead going into half-time.
Wrexham continued to create chances throughout the second half, as both Paul Mullin and Sam Dalby forced excellent saves from goalkeeper Jake Eastwood. Lee actually scored the third, having been the provider for the first, as he got on the end of a Dalby cross and dispatched an effort into the back of the net.
As comfortable as it gets for Phil Parkinson's men. Grade: A
AdvertisementGettySeptember 9: Wrexham 2-1 Doncaster, League Two
It was a scrappy affair from beginning to end, but the Red Dragons managed to get the better of it as Elliott Lee fired in a late winner as they beat Doncaster 2-1 on Saturday.
Goal scoring opportunities were few and far between throughout the first half, but if anyone deserved the lead at the break, it was the home team.
And the style of the goal was typical of the match, as Luke Young's shot took a deflection, bounced off the post and ended up being knocked into the net by goalkeeper Ian Lawlor.
It did not take long for the visitors to pull level, as Mo Faal got on the end of a cross from Joe Ironside and headed beyond Mark Howard.
The game saw the return of star striker Paul Mullin, who came off the bench at the hour mark to make his first appearance of the season, having recovered from a punctured lung sustained in pre-season.
It was Lee who popped up to fire in the vital goal that secured all three points for the Welsh team – with help from a deflection – to ensure Wrexham finished the game with 12 points from seven matches. Grade: B.
September 5: Wrexham 1 Newcastle U-21s 0, EFL Trophy
The Red Dragons came out on top in this match, but the kids from Newcastle did not make it easy – and nor did Wrexham themselves.
With multiple opportunities throughout the contest to double their lead and even make it three or possibly four, they somehow held on to a narrow 1-0 victory in front of a record-crowd for a home EFL Trophy match.
A lack of clinical finishing haunted them throughout, but lucky for Phil Parkinson's side, Sam Dalby briefly had his shooting boots on and saw them through with his 13th-minute goal.
Making his club debut and earning a clean sheet on the night, goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo – who has joined on loan from Arsenal – looked ready and prepared to take the spot of the recently retired Ben Foster. Fellow deadline-day arrival George Evans locked-up the centre of the pitch as well, with both new boys bright spots on the night.
Ultimately, though, it was an unconvincing performance. Wrexham were far too casual in the attack and lazy finishing seemed to take over the mind of every forward after the early goal.
With 17 shots taken but only four hitting the target, the Red Dragons have some thinking – and shooting practice – to do before their next group-stage match. We're sounding like a broken record, but they really need Paul Mullin back as soon as possible. Grade:C+
September 2: Tranmere Rovers 0-1 Wrexham, League Two
While this ended in an away win for Wrexham, their trip to Tranmere told us more about their current flaws than their strengths.
Wrexham had some real opportunities in the first half, with two excellent deliveries from Ryan Barnett going begging, and some passages of play carving the home side open, though they were unable to capitalise, yet again pointing towards a lack of a cutting edge.
Of course, Phil Parkinson's men are always going to find it difficult without their talisman Paul Mullin, given that back-up striker Sam Dalby has scored just eight goals for the club in his career.
In the first half, the newly-promoted side had 11 shots on goal, but only three of them were on target, emphasising their bluntness going forward.
However, in the second half, they found a way through, as Aaron Hayden met a Thomas O'Connor corner with his head and gave Wrexham all three points.
Ultimately, a win is a win, but this was a display that was dominant from Parkinson's men, and they had to rely on a header from a set-piece to get over the line.
It is painfully obvious that the club desperately need Mullin back; had he been on the pitch, one has to think this would have been a far more comfortable victory. Grade: C+