Wrexham 4-1 Preston North End: Match Report, Goals, Stats and Ratings

How Wrexham won it

Wrexham struck first through Joe Worrall in the 31st minute, set up by Danny Imray. Preston North End levelled at 1-1 in the 36th minute through Alfie Devine, set up by Johnny Kenny. Ben Whiteman made it 2-1 to Wrexham in the 42nd minute. Sam Smith made it 3-1 to Wrexham in the 59th minute, set up by Ben Whiteman. Kieffer Moore made it 4-1 to Wrexham in the 63rd minute, set up by Joe Worrall.

It was 2-1 at half-time.

The referee, S. Hooper, showed 6 yellow cards: 2 to Wrexham and 4 to Preston North End.

Wrexham: P. Parkinson, 3-4-1-2 · Preston North End: G. Alexander, 3-4-2-1.

Moneyball's prediction against the result

Moneyball did not publish a pre-match estimate for this match, so there is nothing to mark it against.

Why it went this way

On the day the expected goals were 0.94 for Wrexham and 1.85 for Preston North End.

Wrexham scored about 3.1 more than their chances were worth: clinical finishing, or a goalkeeper having a bad day.

Preston North End created the better chances, 1.85 xG to 0.94, and still lost. On chances alone, the result could easily have gone the other way.

Wrexham had 6 shots on target, Preston North End 1.

Wrexham had 61% of the ball and turned it into the win.

Where the two sides stood before this match

Wrexham came into it with 12 Championship matches played, scoring 1.3 and conceding 1.5 a match, with 1.32 expected goals for and 1.23 against, and had won 25% of their matches.

Preston North End came into it with 12 Championship matches played, scoring 0.8 and conceding 2.1 a match, with 1.25 expected goals for and 1.63 against, and had won 8% of their matches.

Wrexham vs Preston North End: the match in numbers

Team statistics from Sportmonks.

Player ratings and man of the match

Man of the match: Ben Whiteman (Wrexham), rated 8.4 by Sportmonks, with 1 goal, 1 assist.

Wrexham

• Ben Whiteman 8.4 1 goal, 1 assist
• Joe Worrall 8.1 1 goal, 1 assist
• Kieffer Moore 8.0 1 goal
• Sam Smith 7.3 1 goal
• Callum Doyle 7.3

Preston North End

• Alfie Devine 7.8 1 goal
• Liam Lindsay 7.0
• Ed Nolan 6.7
• Johnny Kenny 6.7 1 assist
• Brad Potts 6.6

The lowest-rated starter was Daniel Iversen at 5.8. Ratings run from 0 to 10; around 7.0 is a solid match.

What comes next

• Wrexham: Sheffield United vs Wrexham Friday 30 October 2026 · Championship
• Preston North End: Stoke City vs Preston North End Saturday 31 October 2026 · Championship

Each preview has Moneyball's estimate for the next match, published before kick-off and marked against the result afterwards, as this one is.

Questions about Wrexham vs Preston North End

What was the score in Wrexham vs Preston North End?

Wrexham 4-1 Preston North End (half-time 2-1), Championship, Saturday 17 October 2026.

Who scored in Wrexham vs Preston North End?

Joe Worrall 31', Alfie Devine 36', Ben Whiteman 42', Sam Smith 59', Kieffer Moore 63'.

Did Moneyball predict Wrexham vs Preston North End correctly?

Moneyball did not publish a pre-match estimate for this match, so there is nothing to mark it against.

Who was man of the match in Wrexham vs Preston North End?

Ben Whiteman, rated 8.4 by Sportmonks.

Who refereed Wrexham vs Preston North End?

S. Hooper.