Match preview: County v Wrexham AFC

Old foes are set to go head-to-head again at Edgeley Park this weekend as County prepare to take on Wrexham in League One.

The two sides have met an incredible 127 times in the past, but this matchup has taken on added spice in recent years as they have battled together for promotion from both the National League and League Two.

County have ultimately come out on top on both of those occasions, securing title wins in 2022 and 2024, but just four points separated the sides last season and the two again find themselves challenging at the top end of the League One table.

Having been beaten 5-0 by leaders Wycombe Wanderers just five days earlier, Dave Challinor’s side produced the perfect response last weekend with a 5-0 win of their own, destroying Bolton Wanderers at a sold-out Edgeley Park to climb back into playoff spots.

We go into the weekend in sixth place, having picked up 24 points from our first 15 games back in League One, and sit six points off the automatic promotion places.

Opponents Wrexham have also made a positive start to life back in the third tier, with four points and three places above third-placed County. The Welsh side won 1-0 over Mansfield Town last weekend, leaving them with just two defeats from their opening 14 matches.

Things you need to know:

• Tickets for this Category A match have now sold out! County are next in action at Edgeley Park against Brackley Town on Saturday 30th November – click here to book your tickets today!
• As part of our County Collective programme, we aim to make Edgeley Park a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who visit. Click here to see a full list of new measures that have been introduced on the ground this year!
• Don’t forget to get to Edgeley Park early to visit the County Courtyard, which opens its doors from For more information on all the food and drink on offer this week, click here.
• Are you coming to the game on Saturday? Click here to view our fan information pack containing everything you need to know before your visit to Edgeley Park.
• Saturday’s game will be available for overseas supporters to stream on Stockport County Live, with live commentary from Jon Keighren and Sam Byrne. Audio commentary will also be available to supporters based in the UK. Click here to purchase your video and audio passes today.

Our opponents:

Having secured the National League title in 2023, Wrexham went on to make it back-to-back promotions under Phil Parkinson last season, securing a top three finish with two games to spare after an impressive first season back in the EFL for 15 years.

Despite a slow start that saw them win just four of their first ten games and concede five goals on three separate occasions in that time, the Welsh side quickly began to find their feet in the fourth tier, showing that form , which saw them pick up a National League record 111 points the previous year.

Although they never reached the top flight at any point in the season, they remained in and around the automatic promotion places for most of the campaign, aided by a formidable home record that saw them pick up 54 points from 23 home games – the best return in the division.

There were struggles away from home in the second half of the campaign, with defeats at the likes of Newport County, Gillingham and Doncaster Rovers, but five consecutive wins at the end of the campaign saw them storm over the finish line – and return to League One for first time since 2005.

During the summer, Parkinson has been backed again in the transfer market as the club aim for a third promotion in a row, notably signing former Charlton Athletic captain George Dobson, Plymouth Argyle centre-back Dan Scarr and Rotherham United midfielder Ollie Rathbone.

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who impressed during his time on loan from Arsenal last season, has been signed on a permanent deal but the goalkeeper is expected to miss Saturday’s game through injury.

Life back in League One got off to an impressive start in North Wales, with four wins and a draw from their opening five matches leaving them top of the pile.

Their form at STōK Racecourse has once again been key to their strong start, winning six of their first seven home games, but away from home it has been a different story. On their travels, Parkinson’s side have won just two of seven, suffering defeats at Birmingham City and Stevenage.

Despite that, last week’s win over Mansfield Town leaves them in third place, just two points off the automatic promotion places. They also come to Edgeley Park on Saturday with the joint-best defensive record in the division, conceding just ten times in their first 14 league games.

Match statistics:

• Saturday will be the 127th competitive meeting between the two sides, who first met in September 1891. County have won 57 of those previous meetings, with Wrexham winning 47.
• We have lost just one of our last nine home games against the Red Dragons, a run dating back to April 2005.
• After four games without a goal, Kyle Wootton has now scored three in his last four. County have still never lost a game where the big man has found the back of the net.