Wrexham have moved another step closer to a third straight promotion after beating Burton Albion 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.
When the end of the season comes, we may well look back on Saturday, April 5, as being the key day in Wrexham’s League One campaign.
Wrexham hosted Burton Albion, and whilst an early red card appeared to be a major boost, Phil Parkinson’s side toiled in the first half.
Somebody needed to step up and unlock this game: a moment of brilliance, a slice of luck or sheer persistence.
Sam Smith was the man who took it upon himself to chase a lost cause, win a penalty and allow Steven Fletcher to score.
Smith added number two before Jack Marriott made it 3-0, sealing an enormous three points for Wrexham, with Wycombe Wanderers falling to defeat at Reading.
Sam Smith shows two sides of his game in Wrexham win
Wrexham now sit six points clear in second place, and whilst Wycombe have a game in hand, the race for second place is in Wrexham’s control.
Saturday could have been so frustrating, and for a period, it was as Burton sat back and defended their box.
The pressure was all on Wrexham to go and beat 10-man Burton, but playing against 10 men is often trickier than facing 11.
Burton weren’t for budging but Smith took it upon himself to chase down a loose ball, one that many other strikers would have simply let go through to the goalkeeper.
Smith’s persistence was rewarded, though, as Max Crocombe brought the Wrexham striker down and handed Fletcher the chance to score.
That one moment of endeavour and relentless effort changed the game for Wrexham, but Smith showed another side of his game just three minutes later.
Played in behind by a brilliant Ryan Longman pass, Smith kept his composure and slotted home from a difficult angle.
Smith didn’t have much to aim at but showed exactly why he has scored so many goals at League One level with a calm and precise finish.
These two moments handed Wrexham the victory, and as Smith basked in the adulation of Wrexham fans in the Tech End, he will have known that his huge second-half impact pushed the club one huge step closer to the Championship.
Sam Smith living up to Wrexham pressure
Wrexham have spent decent money since the Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds takeover back in 2021, though nothing like the Smith deal.
Smith was signed from Reading in January, with Wrexham reportedly paying around £2million for his signature.
This was not only the first seven-figure signing in Wrexham history but also around four times the previous record fee.
Smith’s proven League One record with Reading and Cambridge United left Wrexham convinced to splash the cash, but that fee will have placed major pressure on Smith.
So far, the 27-year-old is living up to that pressure, having hit five goals in 13 League One since signing for Wrexham.
We have seen Smith score different types of goals: the run in behind to score against Northampton Town, the brilliant volley against Wycombe Wanderers, and the outstanding header against Cambridge United.
Smith is proving to be worth the money for Wrexham, and he certainly deserves the praise coming his way after Saturday’s performance.