When : Tuesday March 11 2025, 8pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
Next the battle between the two oldest teams in the division, sad to think that it’s possible neither will be in the division next season.
We know where Wrexham currently are in the league, we also know how good they are thanks to all the Hollywood money enabling them to out compete little league nobodies like Reading.
Phil’s boys started the season brightly and haven’t really stopped burning since, though the flame has dimmed very slightly in recent weeks leading to an actual defeat and a draw in the last 5 league games
However they have won 4 of their last 4 away league games, but one hope for Reading is Wrexham’s last away defeat was in a “derby” game at struggling Shrewsbury back in mid January. Biggest issue though, as usual for Noel, will be scoring a goal as Wrexham are currently on the back of 3 successive clean sheets (actually 344 minutes in total).The game will see the return of Sam Smith who has already scored twice in 7 starts for the red dragons. But Sam is not the main problem, though you can bet your life his connection to Reading will be like Parky playing a bonus card on the night, the main threats come from the likes of Elliott Lee and Steven Fletcher with 7 goals each so far and also dead ball situations that have seen defender Matt Cleworth join the aforementioned on 7 goals too! Another interesting “might catch us out” Reading connection is George Evans who now regularly warms the Wrexham bench.
Just in time for the play off run in, Reading have collected their injury bonus cards leading to Louie Holzman & Amadou Mbengue joining Jeriel Dorsett, Harlee Dean and Ben Elliott in the treatment room. Still even without these players Reading haven’t looked too bad at times, it’s just getting all the “not too bad times” to merge altogether in one place at the same time for 90 minutes that’s the issue.
Wrexham have 4 crocks who will miss the game; Andy Cannon, Callum Burton, Will Boyle, and Luke Bolton while George Dobson will have a late fitness test.
Referee
Ed (Joe) Duckworth (Lewis method)
Previously
19 Oct 24 > Reading 4-1 Crawley Town
Historically
9 wins and 2 draws is what Reading have to show so far from the 13 Wrexham league visits to date, going all the way back to the first league visit a 2-1 home win back in March 1959. More recently Reading have won 3 of the last 4 home games, notching 12 goals and only conceding 3 in the process. Sadly this is going to be the hardest game of all to get something from.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Red button/NOW app
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use a RoyalTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
