Wrexham AFC continued its remarkable ascent through the English football pyramid, securing a historic 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup on . The win marks the first time in 29 years that the Welsh club has reached the fifth round of the competition, a testament to the transformative impact of its ownership and the dedication of manager Phil Parkinson.
The decisive goal came in the 34th minute courtesy of Josh Windass, capitalizing on a cross from Ryan Longman. While Ipswich, currently competing in the Championship, had altered their lineup significantly – a clear indication of manager Kieran McKenna’s prioritization of their league campaign and an upcoming rematch against Wrexham on – the victory still represents a significant achievement for Wrexham.
“We spoke before the game about our chance to create a bit of history,” Parkinson said after the match. “We’ve done it, and I’m so pleased because it was always going to be a tough game against a very good side.”
This FA Cup run adds another layer to a story that has captivated football fans worldwide. Five years ago, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their takeover of Wrexham, a club then languishing in the fifth tier of English football, the National League. Their investment and vision have fueled a remarkable run of success, with Wrexham now competing in the Championship and harboring ambitions of reaching the Premier League – a feat that would be unprecedented for the 158-year-old club.
The match at the Racecourse Ground wasn’t without its early drama. Wrexham nearly took the lead within the first minute when Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer misjudged a long ball. Windass recovered possession and delivered a cross to Sam Smith, but Palmer managed to recover and make a crucial save.
Ipswich, sitting seven points above Wrexham in the Championship standings, struggled to find rhythm in the first half. Wrexham’s Ollie Rathbone came close to doubling the lead shortly after Windass’s goal, but Palmer produced a stunning one-handed save to deny his curling effort.
The second half saw Ipswich increase their attacking intent, creating several opportunities. A long throw-in from Jens Cajuste led to a goalmouth scramble, with Wrexham defenders Arthur Okonkwo and Max Cleworth both intervening to block shots from Chuba Akpom. Elkan Baggott also fired a shot wide for the visitors.
Wrexham, however, remained resolute in defense, weathering Ipswich’s pressure and maintaining their slender lead. Windass continued to threaten on the counter-attack, forcing another save from Palmer and having a subsequent shot blocked. Palmer was called into action again late in the game, dealing with a glancing header from a Wrexham attacker.
As the clock ticked down, Ipswich threw everything forward in a desperate attempt to equalize, even sending Palmer forward for a late corner. But Wrexham’s defense held firm, securing a memorable victory and a place in the FA Cup fifth round draw, which will take place on Monday night in Bristol.
“I think it’s great for our owners, to get them into the fifth round,” Parkinson added, acknowledging the significance of the achievement for Reynolds and McElhenney. “You can really look forward to the draw on Monday night… We’ll savor that but, obviously, it’s the back burner now for the FA Cup, and we’ll concentrate on the league.”
This victory over Ipswich follows another notable FA Cup upset for Wrexham, having previously defeated Premier League side Nottingham Forest in the previous round. The Red Dragons are proving they can compete with teams from higher divisions, a testament to their tactical discipline, team spirit, and the growing quality of their squad.
While the FA Cup run is undoubtedly exciting for Wrexham fans, the club’s primary focus remains on securing promotion to the Premier League. The upcoming league rematch against Ipswich on will be a crucial test of their Championship credentials, and Parkinson has made it clear that league success is the ultimate goal.
