Wrexham can make a huge dent in the promotion hopes of fierce rivals Stockport County with a victory in the upcoming clash.
Wrexham’s recent record against Stockport is poor having won only one of their last eight encounters stretching back from their time spent battling in the National League.
That solitary win came at the Racecourse Ground on the final day of last season where Stockport denied Paul Mullin a goal record but strikes from Ollie Palmer and Andy Cannon earned a 2-1 win.
Stockport fans taunted Wrexham that day with banners and planes reminding the Red Dragons who had won the league and Phil Parkinson’s side also had a dark day earlier on this season with a 1-0 defeat at Edgeley Park.
Wrexham boost as ‘top class’ striker no longer plays for Stockport
Wrexham will be breathing a sigh of relief ahead of their clash against Stockport given that striker Louie Barry can no longer haunt them.
The 21-year-old forward scored the only goal of the game between the two sides back in November 2024 and has since moved to Hull City in the Championship after his loan spell from Aston Villa ended at Stockport.
Speaking after that clash, Parkinson described Barry’s goal as ‘top class’ and believed that goalkeeper on the day Callum Burton stood no chance with the strike.
Parkinson stated: “The goal was an outstanding strike, a player we know who does that, could we have done better? I need to look at it but it was a top class strike and I don’t think any keeper would have saved that.”
Barry had scored 15 goals in 23 appearances in League One before the January window saw him move up a level to play Championship football, he is yet to open his account for Hull City.
Parkinson knows ‘composure’ will be key to Wrexham win over Stockport
In what will no doubt be a hostile and fiery atmosphere both on and off the pitch, Wrexham boss Parkinson will know the importance of his players showing composure and maturity on the ball.
After the previous clash with Stockport, Parkinson explained: “We talk about it being a derby and we’ve got to be physical and you’ve got to be ready for the duels but on top of that we’ve got to make sure we have that composure.”
Alongside Barry, Stockport are also missing their ‘best finisher’ in Benony Breki Andresson but do have the quality of Oliver Norwood pulling the strings in midfield.
It will be up to the likes of Ollie Rathbone to control the central area and bring that composure that Parkinson knows will be key to any victory in the game.