Wrexham AFC strengthened their promotion hopes with a commanding 3-0 victory over Burton Albion on April 5, 2025. The match, played as part of the 2024-25 English League One season, saw the Red Dragons capitalize on an early red card to secure three vital points in their quest for Championship football next season.
Early red card changes the game
The match took a decisive turn just 10 minutes into the contest when Burton Albion’s Charlie Webster received a straight red card. This early dismissal forced the Brewers to play with 10 men for the remaining 80 minutes, significantly altering the dynamics of the game.
Despite the numerical advantage, Wrexham initially struggled to break down Burton’s resilient defense. The first half ended goalless as the visitors maintained their defensive shape and discipline despite being a man down.
Late goal flurry secures the points
After a frustrating first 70 minutes, Wrexham fianlly made their advantage count with a flurry of goals in the final 20 minutes of the match. The breakthrough came in the 71st minute when experienced striker Steven Fletcher coolly converted from the penalty spot to give the home side a deserved lead.
The floodgates opened just three minutes later as Sam Smith doubled Wrexham’s advantage with a well-taken goal in the 74th minute. Jack Marriott then put the result beyond doubt with a third goal in the 87th minute, capping off an impressive second-half performance from the promotion-chasing side.
Promotion race heats up
This victory has significant implications for Wrexham’s promotion ambitions. Owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Welsh club now sits firmly in second place in League One, strengthening their position for automatic promotion to the Championship.
The win, combined with Wycombe Wanderers’ loss elsewhere, has given Wrexham a six-point cushion in the automatic promotion spots. However, with Wycombe holding a game in hand that could potentially reduce the gap to three points, and five games remaining in Wrexham’s season, the race for promotion is far from over.
Relegation concerns for Burton
While Wrexham celebrates moving closer to promotion, the defeat leaves Burton Albion in a precarious position. Currently sitting in 21st place in the League One table, the Brewers face serious relegation concerns as the season enters its final stages.
The early red card undoubtedly hampered Burton’s chances in this match, but they’ll need to regroup quickly if they hope to preserve their League One status. For Wrexham, however, the dream of Championship football next seaison grows ever more tangible as they continue their remarkable rise through the English football pyramid under their celebrity ownership.