The first match at the end of January at Wrexham ended 3-3, with the visitors equalizing only in the second half. As FA Cup rules dictate, the game was repeated, this time on Tuesday night at Sheffield.
The home team was leading, but Wrexham’s elite scorer Paul Mullin equalized from the penalty spot. However, the same player did not convert the second penalty kick in a few minutes. As the match headed into overtime, Sheffield, again in the setup, managed to strike twice.
The advancing goal was scored in the 94th minute by Billy Sharp, who after the final whistle got into a scuffle and heated exchange with the opponent. “I think they were disrespectful before the game when they thought they already had the win in their pocket. I’m glad we beat them. Both teams are doing well in the league but I wasn’t happy with a few of their players celebrating against Spurs. But they didn’t beat us at that moment,” Sharp was alluding to the draw, which ensured that the winner of the duel would be visited by the famous Tottenham in the round of 16 of the competition.
Wrexham coach Phil Parkinson disputed those words. In addition, he accused Sharp of causing an unnecessary scene after the match. “I’m a bit disappointed with Billy, especially with the things he shouted in the tunnel. He is a fantastic footballer but I thought he was disrespectful. The way their players celebrated was an indication of how difficult we made it for them. My message to Billy is: ‘You are better than what you show.’ My players are modest people and the pride of our football club,” defended Parkinson.
The manager added that he hoped Wrexham’s progress to the fourth round of the club’s oldest competition could act as a springboard for promotion to a higher competition.
“We showed everyone what we are as a football club, what the spirit of Wrexham is and how strong it is. We wanted this cup campaign to improve on the league campaign and I really feel that we have succeeded,” said Parkinson.
Wrexham are currently second in the National League table, but have two games in hand and just three points behind leaders Notts Country. The club has big ambitions. Since February 9, 2020, it has been owned by a pair of famous actors Ryan Reynolds (for example, the representative of Deadpool) and Rob McElhenney (known from the series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), who invest considerable sums in the stadium and facilities. The sponsor on the jerseys is the social network TikTok.
A heartbreaking end for Wrexham’s FA Cup run but what magic they created. I’ll never forget how it felt in the Racecourse Ground each time they scored–like it wasn’t just a football club that was back, but a whole community. I hope @VancityReynolds and @RMcElhenney are so proud.
— John Green (@sportswithjohn) February 7, 2023
“It sounds crazy but our aim is to get the club into the Premier League. Why wouldn’t we succeed? The project is for many years,” Reynolds once declared. But Sheffield is currently heading for the elite competition. It is currently second in the Championship table, i.e. in a direct promotion position. Middlesbrough has a lead of ten points and one race less than third.
Now let’s go win this fucking league
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) February 7, 2023
“I’m so proud of these guys. And to the more than four thousand fans who gave it everything outside,” tweeted Reynolds after the exit. However, the main initiator of the purchase of the club was McElhenney, who was inspired by the documentary series Dycky Sunderland during the lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic. Subsequently, he was looking for a club with history that needs to return to the glorious times. So he and Reynolds gave 50 million crowns in conversion and are raising the whole from a city of 60,000 in North Wales.
