Wrexham will face off against Blackpool on Easter Monday in what could be the defining fixture of their 2024/25 season.
The Welsh outfit dropped down to third in the League One table on Good Friday thanks to an underwhelming 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers at the STōK Cae Ras. That draw, coupled with Wycombe Wanderers’ impressive 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers, saw Wrexham fall to third – one point adrift of Mike Dodds’ side heading into the final three games of the campaign.
Phil Parkinson’s side will be aiming to get back to winning ways on Easter Monday and put some pressure on Wycombe in the race for the final automatic promotion spot.
Beating a free-scoring Blackpool team – who’ve scored more goals than Wrexham in League One this season – at Bloomfield Road will certainly not be easy though, and may be even harder than expected given who has been appointed referee for the game.
Phil Parkinson once fumed at referee Darren Drysdale who has been appointed for Blackpool vs Wrexham
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson may not be too happy with the the Football League appointing Darren Drysdale for the crunch clash with Blackpool on Monday afternoon.
That is thanks to an incident in Wrexham’s 1-1 draw with AFC Wimbledon in League Two back in 2023.
After the draw, Parkinson labelled Drysdale’s decision to award Wimbledon two penalties, with the second penalty – scored by James Tilley – that was given for a supposed foul by Eoghan O’Connell causing particular frustration for the Wrexham boss:
“Oh my goodness me,” said Parkinson. “The first one, in relation to what’s gone on in the penalty box and on the pitch all game, to pick that moment out is strange. The second one is unbelievable.
“If there is a nudge, the lad has just fallen to the floor. The referee, at his standard, has to identify that.”
Parkinson gives verdict on promotion race ahead of Blackpool game
Despite the recent spate of disappoint results, Parkinson remains upbeat heading into the crucial clash with Blackpool on Monday afternoon.
Speaking to the press, he said: “We’re still in a great position. There are three games to go and, hopefully, some more twists along the way. You can’t discount anyone. Charlton face Wycombe and they can’t both win. It can all change again, 100 per cent. It’s not over yet. We are in contention and in with a great chance.”
| Position | Team | Points |
| 1. | Birmingham City | 96 |
| 2. | Wycombe Wanderers | 84 |
| 3. | Wrexham | 83 |
| 4. | Charlton Athletic | 79 |
| 5. | Stockport County | 78 |
And although a supercomputer recently predicted that Wrexham will miss out on automatic promotion by a single point, Parkinson and Wrexham fans alike will be buoyed by the fact that closest rivals Wycombe face an extremely difficult game on Easter Monday.
Mike Dodds’ side are set to face off against fourth-place Charlton Athletic, who are still also in with a shout of automatic promotion as they’re just five points behind second place Wycombe.