• Both men scored in non-league matches on the same day in March 2019
• The pair contributed 36 goals this season to help Coventry win the Championship
• Thomas-Asante has earned a place in Ghana’s preliminary World Cup squad
• Their journey took them from the National League to England’s top flight

In March 2019, Brandon Thomas-Asante found the net for Oxford City in front of just 500 supporters. On that exact same day, Ephron Mason-Clark scored for Barnet with only 650 people in the stands. Both matches took place in the National League.

Seven years later, these two forwards have fired Coventry City back into the Premier League. The Sky Blues secured promotion by winning the Championship title. They lifted the trophy following a 3-1 victory against Wrexham.

Thomas-Asante is now 27 years old. He began his career at MK Dons in 2011. He spent ten years climbing through the divisions. He played for Sutton United, Ebbsfleet United and Oxford City in non-league football. He also represented Salford City in League Two. In 2022, he joined West Bromwich Albion. This meant he had played in all three divisions of the English Football League. Now he will compete in the Premier League.

Mason-Clark is 26 years old. He started in the seventh tier of English football. He had a loan spell at Metropolitan Police in 2016. He then spent six years with Barnet. In 2022, he moved to Peterborough United. Coventry signed him in 2024.

This season, the two players scored 36 goals between them. Thomas-Asante got 13 goals and made four assists. Mason-Clark scored 10 goals and made nine assists. Football expert George Elek praised Mason-Clark. He called him “one of the unsung heroes of the Championship.”

Thomas-Asante has also received international recognition. He is in Ghana’s preliminary squad for the World Cup. He could face England in the group stages. He spoke about his journey after the promotion. “Moments like this are built up over years,” he said.

The two players share a strong bond. They often remember their days in non-league football. Thomas-Asante kept his old training jacket from those days. He said it reminds him of the hard times. He also praised his team-mate highly. He said Mason-Clark has become “unreal” and “inevitable” on the pitch.

Coventry City have returned to the top flight after 25 years away. For these two strikers, it marks the peak of a remarkable rise from the lower leagues.

• Wrexham lose 3-1 to champions Coventry City in their Championship clash at the CBS Arena
• The sixth-placed Red Dragons remain level on 70 points with Hull City but hold a slender one-goal advantage
• The playoff race will be decided on the final day as Wrexham host Middlesbrough needing a result to secure their spot

Coventry City celebrated winning the Championship title with a 3-1 victory over Wrexham. The result leaves the Welsh side facing a difficult final day in the race for the playoffs.

The Sky Blues will play in the Premier League next season after a 25-year absence. They lifted the trophy after the match ended. Frank Lampard’s team had already won the championship before this game.

Wrexham equalised through Oliver Rathbone in the 25th minute after Brandon Thomas-Asante gave Coventry an early lead. Late goals from Victor Torp and Ephron Mason-Clark won the match for the home team.

The loss leaves Wrexham in sixth place with 70 points. Hull City also have 70 points, but Wrexham have a better goal difference by just one goal. Derby County remain in the hunt, sitting one point behind both teams.

All three clubs will play their final matches at home on Saturday. Wrexham will face Middlesbrough, Hull will play Norwich City, and Derby will meet Sheffield United.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said his team still controls their own future. He explained that goal difference is important and they remain ahead of Hull. He felt the third goal was unfair on his team.

Before the match, Coventry fans held up signs saying “We Are Back” to celebrate their return to the top division. Wrexham gave the champions a guard of honour. Coventry had beaten Wrexham 3-2 in their previous meeting this season.

The match reminded fans of Wrexham’s famous FA Cup win at this stadium in 2023 when they played in the National League.

Thomas-Asante scored after 19 minutes, hitting a volley from close range following a cross from Mason-Clark. Wrexham replied six minutes later when Rathbone scored from 14 yards after a low ball from Issa Kaboré.

Both teams had chances to score. Josh Windass and George Thomason hit the woodwork for Wrexham. Coventry’s top scorer Haji Wright forced a save from goalkeeper Danny Ward.

Torp scored a powerful free-kick ten minutes from the end that Ward could not stop. Mason-Clark added a third goal in added time to finish the match.

• Coventry City defeated Wrexham 3-1 in their final home match of the season
• The champions lifted the trophy in front of 31,000 supporters after securing promotion to the Premier League
• Wrexham must win their last game to guarantee a playoff spot after failing to secure a point

Coventry City celebrated their Championship title with a 3-1 victory over Wrexham at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Over 31,000 fans watched the club lift the trophy following the final whistle.

The hosts took the lead after 19 minutes when Brandon Thomas-Asante scored from close range following a cross from Ephron Mason-Clark. Wrexham responded quickly as Oliver Rathbone fired home from 14 yards out six minutes later to level the score.

Both teams created chances during an open match. Wrexham struck the woodwork and threatened on the counter-attack, while Coventry’s top scorer Haji Wright forced a fine save from the visiting goalkeeper early in the second half.

The decisive moment arrived with 10 minutes remaining. Substitute Victor Torp drove a powerful free-kick past the Wrexham goalkeeper to restore the lead. Mason-Clark added a third goal in stoppage time to complete the scoring.

The result leaves Wrexham in a difficult position ahead of the final round of fixtures. They sit level on 70 points with Hull City but hold a superior goal difference of just one. Derby County remain one point behind both teams.

All three clubs play their final matches at home on Saturday. Wrexham face Middlesbrough, Hull City host Norwich, and Derby entertain Sheffield United.

Manager Frank Lampard addressed the fans on the pitch after the match. He thanked the supporters for their loyalty through difficult periods, including when the club played at different venues. He dedicated the title victory to the fans who had waited 25 years to see the club return to the top flight.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson remained optimistic about his team’s chances. He noted that the third goal was harsh on his players but stressed that destiny remains in their hands. He said the team must focus on winning their final match to secure a playoff place.