Big things were predicted for the Hollywood-powered Wrexham juggernaut heading into this season - and the side from north Wales are delivering.
Firmly entrenched inside the automatic promotion places, they did their hopes no harm with an impressive win over previous league leaders Mansfield Town on Good Friday.
Form has nevertheless been patchy for Wrexham in recent weeks, with just four wins from nine matches.
THE LAST MEETING
Rovers suffered late heartbreak as they fell to defeat at Wrexham in September.
Elliot Lee’s 89th minute strike denied Rovers a deserved share of the spoils from a back and forth clash at the SToK Cae Ras.
Mo Faal grabbed his first goal for Rovers to cancel out Luke Young’s opener for the hosts.
WREXHAM’S RECENT FORM
Wins have come in bursts of two for Wrexham recently, with the win over Mansfield being their second consecutive triumph after victory at Grimsby Town.
They took just a point from consecutive home games against Harrogate and Tranmere.
Though they have taken just six wins from their last 14 league matches, their form has been enough to cling onto an automatic promotion place.
Last time out
Wrexham 2 Mansfield Town 0
Sky Bet League Two, Friday, April 29, 2024
Line-up:
THE MANAGER
Facing the high pressure task of guiding Wrexham is the experienced Phil Parkinson, who took them out of the National League as champions last season in his second term in charge.
The 56-year-old won promotion to the Sky Bet Championship with both Colchester United and Bolton Wanderers, while also taking Bradford City into League One.
Parkinson has managed six different clubs since taking charge of Colchester in 2003. His playing career featured lengthy spells at Bury and Reading.
THE KEY MEN
Goalkeeper – Arthur Okonkwo
The 22-year-old keeper stands at 6ft6in and is currently on loan from Arsenal. His Gunners career has only brought appearances in the EFL Trophy so far. Last season he spent time with Crewe Alexandra and Austrian side Sturm Graz, where he won the Austrian Cup.
Defender – Eoghan O'Connell
The former Celtic youth graduate signed for Wrexham from Charlton Athletic in January 2023, helping the Welsh side to the National League title. O’Connell has also played with Bury and Rochdale, where he won Player of the Year at the latter in both 2019/20 and 2021/22.
Midfielder – Andy Cannon
Wrexham signed Cannon from Hull City in December 2022 for an undisclosed fee having previously been on the books of Rochdale and Portsmouth. Since the end of November last year, he’s been pretty much an ever present and scored a brace in the recent game at Grimsby Town.
Striker – Paul Mullin
The 29-year-old returned frominjury against Rovers earlier in the season, where he came on for the final half hour. Since then he’s played in virtually every game. After a bit of a purple patch in late January going into February, Mullinscored six goals in five games prior to the weekend, giving him 18 goals in all competitions this season.
HISTORY
The oldest club in Wales, Wrexham AFC were formed in 1864. They joined Division Three (North) in 1921 and first met Rovers two years later. On October 6, 1923, Rovers won 1-0 at Belle Vue with a goal from Peter Robertson. A week later, at The Racecourse, the teams drew 2-2 with Tom Keetley and Billy Boardman scoring for Rovers.
Overall, the teams have met 67 times in the Football League, including this season’s encounter at Wrexham in September. The home side won 2-1, with Mo Faal scoring for Rovers. Rovers have won 26 times to 19 for Wrexham. The Welsh side have won only three times in Doncaster - all of them at Belle Vue with this set to be their first appearance at the Eco-Power Stadium.
TURNED OUT FOR BOTH
Wrexham-born defender Stephen Roberts made 173 appearances for his hometown club, scoring seven goals, between 1999 and 2005. He also helped Wrexham to promotion to what is now League One, in 2002-03, and to victory in the Football League Trophy in April 2005.
In July 2005 he joined his brother Neil at Rovers. Steve went on to play for Rovers for three seasons - making 92 appearances and scoring once.
Contributors: Gavin Hepworth and John Coyle
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