By Canadian Press

Wrexham is on the verge of promotion after Wycombe loses to Leyton Orient

Apr 26, 2025 | 11:42 AM

WREXHAM, Wales (AP) — Wrexham edged closer to promotion to the second tier of English soccer by taking a 2-0 halftime lead against Charlton on Saturday.

The Welsh club, owned by celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, needed to win to clinch the second promotion place in third-division League One. Their cause was helped by promotion rival Wycombe losing against Leyton Orient 1-0.

It would be a third straight promotion for the club, which was a non-league team when Reynolds and McElhenney bought it in 2021.

The goals came in the space of three minutes at the Racecourse Ground. Oliver Rathbone’s long shot in the 15th minute was followed by Sam Smith’s volley.

Third-placed Wycombe needed to win to take the battle for promotion to the final round of the season. But its defeat meant Wrexham could get the job done in its final home game of the season.

The nearby Turf pub, which has earned world renown from the docuseries “Welcome to Wrexham,” erupted in cheering after the final whistle of Wycombe’s match.

Wrexham fan Tom Johnson described the atmosphere as “electric” as supporters watched the game on a big screen set up outside the Racecourse Ground.

“If you managed to get here when the goal went in, that was just phenomenal,” he said.

Reynolds joined in the celebrations before Wrexham’s game kicked off — serving drinks at a bar and taking selfie requests.

First-placed Birmingham has already been confirmed as the League One champion.

The promoted teams will move up to the Championship, one division below the Premier League.

If Wrexham is unable to clinch second place, it could still earn promotion. The teams that finish third through sixth in League One enter a playoff for the third and final promotion spot.

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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

James Robson, The Associated Press