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Having finished 19th and 16th in their two previous National League campaigns, Wealdstone are where they would have expected to be, not in the relegation picture, but also showing no signs of making a push for the playoffs.
Poor form in recent weeks has ensured that this is the case, with the Stones losing six of their last seven games in all competitions, enduring a torrid October as they lost every single game, other than a 2-1 victory at Aldershot Town.
Not only that, but Stuart Maynard‘s men have been on the receiving end of some crushing defeats in that time, losing 6-1 at home to Notts County in their last home fixture, before falling to a 4-1 defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge.
Consequently, Saturday’s hosts have gone from being outside the playoffs on goal difference alone, to a point where they will need to start turning it around or they may have to start looking over their shoulder.
However, there were signs of a revival in the Stones’ last outing, bagging a 1-0 win away at Altrincham courtesy of an Olufela Olomola strike early in the second half.
Wins on home soil have been much harder to come by, however, as Maynard’s side have not been victorious at Grosvenor Vale since a 1-0 victory over Halifax Town in August, and things will not get any easier when they welcome the league leaders.
Indeed, Wrexham are now leading the pack in the National League, owing to a remarkable run of form, with just one loss in their last 18 matches, a 1-0 defeat at Notts County at the start of October.
The Welsh side claimed their place at the top of the standings on Tuesday night, defeating Scunthorpe United 3-1 at Glanford Park, with strikers Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer once again getting in on the act.
This centre-forward pairing has been in lethal form in the league this season, notching 24 goals between them, just shy of half of the 50 total goals that the Dragons have scored, a tally that is more than any other side.
The Wealdstone team is likely to be unchanged, with Maynard finally finding a winning formula in the victory against Altrincham.
After scoring the winning goal in the last game, Olomola is set to keep his place, accompanied by 21-year-old Micah Obiero in attack, who has started the last four games for the Stones.
Tarryn Allarakhia has featured in all 17 of his side’s league games this season, so the midfielder should get the nod again in a supporting role alongside Giovanni McGregor and Alex Dyer.
For Wrexham, manager Phil Parkinson should not tinker too much given the fantastic recent form of his side, with Mullin and Palmer the obvious choices in attack after their goals on Tuesday night.
Bryce Hosannah came in for Anthony Forde against Scunthorpe, after the right-back limped off against Oldham Athletic in an FA Cup clash, and he is set to keep his place in the Dragons’ backline.
Centre-back pairing Ben Tozer and Aaron Hayden have been Parkinson’s consistent choice this season, and the latter has weighed in with an incredible nine goals, so they should both continue to play.
Wealdstone possible starting lineup:
Howes; Barker, Elerewe, Habergham, Cook, Kinsella; McGregor, Allarakhia, Dyer; Obiero, Olomola
Wrexham possible starting lineup:
Howard; Hosannah, Hayden, Tozer, Tunnicliffe; McFadzean, Jones, Young, Lee; Mullin, Palmer
Wrexham went into Wednesday’s clash at Glanford Park knowing they would replace Notts County, who drew 2-2 with Southend the previous evening, as leaders with three points and the Reds responded by winning 3-1.
With a 100 per cent record at The Racecourse, Wrexham’s form on the road is less impressive – they still boast the fourth best away record in the division – and Parkinson was delighted his side proved they can pick up victories on their travels.
“We know we can, there is no doubt about that,” said Parkinson ahead of another away game at Wealdstone tomorrow.
“The home form is exceptional, I don’t know where we are in the away form league table but we are not far off the top in that as well.
“The standards have been so high at home, sometimes it is difficult to replicate it but we did against Scunthorpe.
“We were excellent and controlled, I would say, 75 minutes of the game.
“In any game of football you are never going to completely dominate; there are always going to be periods where you have to stand strong and we did that.
“It is all about resting now and just being ready to go again.”
Wrexham dominated the first half and, after creating a host of good chances, led 2-0 through Ollie Palmer and Aaron Hayden.
However, Scunthorpe pulled a goal back just before the break and came out fired up at the start of the second period.
But the Reds had more opportunities and top scorer Paul Mullin’s 16th goal of the season secured a well deserved victory.
“Obviously delighted with the win,” said Parkinson.
“I thought we started really well in the first half, we scored two and could have had four or five; the goalkeeper made some great saves and a couple of scrambles.
“Then they get a goal with their first real attempt.
“That goal lifted them for 10-15 minutes in the second half but we weathered that little period and then played with real quality.
“We created numerous chances and the third goal is a moment of quality which wins us the game.”
Parkinson hailed the resolute defending when Scunthorpe went in search of an equaliser and the attacking play which led to a number of excellent chances, with Wrexham taking three to reach 50 goals scored in 18 league games this season.
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“We were comfortable at 2-0 and didn’t really feel threatened,” added Parkinson.
“The goal knocked us a bit which goals do but we reset ourselves well.
“Scunthorpe scored three goals in the last three games at home so there was always that belief in them that they can get goals kicking towards their end in the second half, and they started quick.
“But we dug deep and did what we had to do; we came through the other side of that period with some really great attacking football.”