Watford Goal Marks End of Difficult Period for Rathbone Ollie Rathbone described his last-minute equalizer for Wrexham against Watford last season as a pivotal moment that helped him move past a challenging phase in his career. The attacking midfielder scored within a minute of coming on as a substitute to secure a 2-2 draw with the Hornets in December, marking his first league outing of the season after missing several months due to a serious ankle injury sustained during pre-season. The goal was a turning point for Rathbone, who had struggled to regain his form after the injury. “It was definitely a huge moment in my season, and in my career really,” he said, emphasizing how the strike allowed him to close a difficult chapter and refocus on his development. He referred to the goal as a “fond memory,” highlighting its role in helping him transition from a period of struggle to renewed confidence. Rathbone’s return to action had been delayed, and the match against Watford represented his first league appearance of the season. He admitted that missing pre-season had left him feeling “far behind” when he returned to training, struggling to regain his rhythm and performance levels. “You don’t really understand how big and important pre-season is until you miss it,” he explained, noting that the absence had hindered his progress early in the previous campaign. The 29-year-old feels he is now in a stronger position to showcase his best form this season. He scored eight goals in 30 appearances across all competitions last season but acknowledged that his earlier struggles had been a barrier to his growth. “To see how much further forward I am than last year, it’s chalk and cheese really,” he said, underscoring the progress he feels he has made.#wrexham #phil_parkinson #watford #ollie_rathbone #racecourse_ground
