Two goals from James McClean and a hat-trick of assists for Ryan Barnett helped Wrexham to a convincing 4-1 victory over Northampton Town to take them within two points of the top of League One.
The Athletic picks out the main talking points from an afternoon that saw Elliot Lee and Jack Marriott also on the scoresheet as Phil Parkinson’s side took full advantage of leaders Birmingham City’s surprise defeat at Charlton.
McClean leads by example
McClean may be a divisive figure, a player opposition fans love to hate — as illustrated by the constant jeers of his every move by the 1,262-strong travelling Northampton Town contingent — but the former Republic of Ireland international had the last laugh courtesy of two goals and an assist.
The 35-year-old has clearly found a happy home in north Wales, winning promotion in his first season and then being handed the captaincy on a permanent basis during the summer.
This may have surprised a few, especially considering the propensity for conflict that has seen McClean’s tally of yellow cards for club and country reach double figures in all but one of the last 11 seasons.
We know that feeling, Maca 😮💨
🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/tlPg2rBlHj
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) October 5, 2024
Following the summer departure of Ben Tozer and Luke Young, however, Parkinson saw the Irishman as his ideal leader. Saturday underlined why, even allowing for the first-half yellow card for a late sliding challenge on Cameron McGeehan that leaves the Irishman walking a disciplinary tightrope with a one-match ban now just a caution away.
He was constantly cajoling his team-mates, offering a thumbs up even when a cross was overhit as if to say, “Keep at it.” Intuition honed over a career that includes five years in the Premier League meant he was in the right place at the right time to capitalise twice on Barnett’s inch-perfect delivery — the second of those strikes a spectacular volley that would have made any forward proud.
McClean also teed up Marriott for a close-range finish with a lovely lay-off to ensure a dressing room he ranks as “right up there in terms of the best in my career” claimed a precious three points.
“The fans and everyone around the place seem to have taken to me,” he said. “Obviously, that means a lot. Everyone wants to feel valued both as a footballer and a person. To then be handed the armband and lead this team out on a weekly basis is something I’m proud of.”
McClean playing in the Premier League for West Bromwich Albion against Burnley in 2017 (Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Wing-backs union sealed with a handshake
It’s not often that a wing-back scoring two goals and providing an assist fails to earn him the man-of-the-match award. But McClean had no complaints about being pipped by Barnett following his hat-trick of assists from the opposite flank.
“If I’d have been awarded man of the match I’d have found Barney in the dressing room and handed it over myself,” said the Irishman.
This was the second time Barnett had created three goals in the same match, the first coming in Solihull Moors colours as Eastleigh were thrashed 5-3 in March 2022 in the National League. But he was quick to insist: “I don’t think they were as good a quality as today.”
An impeccable performance from this man today 🤌
Today’s Man of the Match, as chosen by @Sika, Ryan Barnett 👏
🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/mRPOA120z2
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) October 5, 2024
It is certainly difficult to imagine a better performance from a wing-back than Barnett’s shift against Northampton. The inch-perfect delivery for not only McClean’s double but also Lee’s bullet header were of the very highest order.
As, it should be said, was the surging run and square pass to Steven Fletcher that deserved a lot better than the veteran striker hesitating long enough for Town to scramble back and clear. He also had a hand in Wrexham’s other goal; it was his searching cross that McClean turned into the path of Marriott to convert.
Barnett’s creativity means he now tops the League One assists table with five, one ahead of Blackpool’s Lee Evans. He is also well on his way to setting a personal best for the season, too.
Judging by the near telepathic understanding between the two wing-backs — the pair have even devised their own handshake celebration when one sets up the other for a goal — Barnett seems certain to beat the nine he managed in 2021-22 for Solihull.
A half century for Arthur
There have been many important signings during Wrexham’s rise through the leagues, ranging from early statement additions such as Paul Mullin and Lee through to summer arrival George Dobson.
With due respect to that trio, however, perhaps the deal with the potential to be the most astute piece of business is Arthur Okonkwo, who marked his 50th appearance for the club by emerging triumphant from what at times felt to be a personal duel with Tyler Roberts.
Roberts, the former Leeds United attacker, is a special talent at this level. He showed that by causing untold problems for the Wrexham defence with his direct running and clever play.
But Roberts could not get past Okonkwo, whose 51st minute save low to his left was the pick of several that left the Northampton man holding his head in frustration.
Okonkwo was outstanding against Northampton (Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
It continued the 23-year-old’s fine form in a Wrexham shirt. Those 50 appearances have seen him beaten just 42 times. With respected scouting website Wyscout putting his expected goals against (xGA) at 49.26 before Saturday, the former Arsenal goalkeeper has effectively kept out eight goals more than expected over the past 13 months.
No wonder Parkinson was so pleased to sign Okonkwo on a permanent basis in the summer amid plenty of competition, including from clubs from a higher level.
“It was a deal that we should be very proud of,” said the Wrexham manager, who was able to sign Okonwko on loan last season thanks to Arsenal paying a significant chunk of his wages.
“Inevitably, there was a lot of interest because it’s not often a player of Arthur’s profile ends up a free transfer. The owners (Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney) did well to get the deal over the line in the summer with Shaun (Harvey, director who negotiates all transfers). It wasn’t an easy one to do.”
What’s next for Wrexham?
A return to EFL Trophy action as Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s head to north Wales on Tuesday, October 8 (7.30pm, 2.30pm ET).
(Top photo: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
