Wrexham end shock 60-year record to boost Championship play-off hopes

Jan 1, 2026 - 15:30

Wrexham beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0 on New Year’s Day and in doing so ended a 60-year hoodoo.

A fine Sam Smith strike on the counter was followed up by Ollie Rathbone’s tremendous volley, sealing the result in the first half at Ewood Park.

Rathbone was delighted with his impressive game-sealing effort[/caption]

A fertile festive period has now seen them win three on the trot since defeat to Welsh rivals Swansea on December 19.

And that’s pushed them into serious play-off contention as the calendar flips over.

Ahead of the match it already looked like, judging by the form book, Rovers would find it hard against their opponents, even on home soil.

Their task swiftly became more difficult when Smith struck in the 11th minute.

He locked onto a Matty James long ball and after one touch his early strike at the edge of the box, on the angle, beat Aynsley Pears.

It was Smith’s first goal since August against West Brom and signaled Wrexham‘s intent.

The Red Dragons have managed eight goals in the opening 15 minutes of the first half – with only Sheffield United managing more (9).

Meanwhile, Blackburn hadn’t managed to overturn a deficit since a comeback win over Southampton in October.

And when Rathbone struck seven minutes before the break it was all but over for the former Premier League champions.

The midfielder, whose father played for Rovers during his playing career, thumped a clean volley beyond Pears after a poorly defended free-kick from James wide out on the right.

Smith celebrated in front of glum Blackburn fans on New Year’s Day[/caption]

Bar a post-half-time rally, Blackburn couldn’t create the volume of chances required to trouble their rivals.

And only one shot on target was even mustered during the 90 minutes for Valerien Ismael’s side.

The win for Wrexham sees them claim victory away from home on New Year’s Day since 1966, having failed to do so in eight attempts.

Blackburn will continue to nervously look over their shoulder as they sit five points above the relegation zone.

At the opposite end of the table, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Red Dragons’ Hollywood owners, might allow themselves to think a little more about promotion to the Premier League.

They’re now within striking distance of the play-off spots with potential reinforcement on the way in the January transfer window.