Wrexham 4-1 Northampton (Oct 5, 2024) Game Analysis – ESPN

Wrexham 4-1 Northampton (Oct 5, 2024) Game Analysis - ESPN
James McClean played a key role for Wrexham as they beat Northampton.

Jess Hornby/Getty Images


Wrexham kept up their impressive start to life in English football’s third tier with a comprehensive 4-1 victory against Northampton Town on Saturday.

That win leaves Wrexham, who are co-owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, second in the League One table after 10 games and on course to challenge for automatic promotion to the Championship.

James McClean headed Wrexham in front after eight minutes but the lead was short-lived with Cameron McGeehan levelling for the visitors in the 27th minute.

However, from there it was one-way traffic with McClean setting up Jack Marriott to restore Wrexham’s lead before half-time with his fifth goal of the season.

Elliot Lee’s header made it 3-1 on 56 minutes before McClean rounded off the victory with his second goal of the game on 67 minutes.

“Any win is pleasing, but I think the manner in which it was achieved was very rewarding for us all,” Wrexham assistant boss Steve Parkin said postmatch.

“We limited a good side, Northampton, and to come out 4-1 on top is very pleasing. The key thing for us is to try and produce that quality in the final third, and they did it very well today.”

Wrexham are the only team in the division to have won all five of their home games this season. They are second in the standings, with six wins this season, two points behind league leaders Birmingham City, who have played a game less.