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Phil Parkinson Wrexham have praised Wrexham’s “special” FA Cup victory over Nottingham Forest and said he was delighted with the Welsh club’s performance Hollywood owner Ryan Reynolds See it there.
Wrexham After leading 2-0 and 3-1 and drawing 3-3, the penalty shootout was won 4-3 to advance to the fourth round.
“I had a chat with him before the game and it’s great to see him and his family here,” manager Parkinson said of the Deadpool actor.
“I think Ryan’s mom is here tonight for the first time. So it’s really special and I hope they had a great night.
“I’m sure they’ll have a few drinks to celebrate on the flight home tonight.”
Wrexham is in fine form having won four games in a row in the Sky Bet Championship and heads into the SToK Cae Ras match in fine form.
Liberato Cacace and Oliver Rathbone scored within three minutes of the first half to give the home side a 2-0 lead at the break.
Igor Jesus responded for Forest before Dominic Hayam restored the Red Dragons’ two-goal lead.
Forest substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi sent the score into extra time with two fine strikes, the second of which came in the 89th minute, but goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo proved Wrexham’s hero with fine penalty saves from Jesus and Omari Hutchinson.
Parkinson told TNT Sports: “We had to muster some strength at half-time because I thought the whole field was flat.
“Do you have that feeling of ‘Have we missed our best chance of getting promoted and beating a Premier League team’?
“But the lads picked themselves up, the legs were tired and both sides deserve credit for playing such a good game after a busy Christmas schedule.
“This is a huge night for us and I’m delighted that this group of players can write their own history in the FA Cup and add to the club’s rich heritage.”
Wrexham have suffered a number of heavy defeats in the FA Cup over the years, with Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham United all victims, but this is the first time they are top-flight opponents in 26 years.
forest boss Sean Dyche There was harsh criticism of a first-half performance that ultimately proved costly for last season’s semi-finalists.
Dyche said: “The first half is completely unacceptable. I’ve made that known to some people and they have to look in the mirror.
“It’s unacceptable for me but it’s also unacceptable for the badge.
“They all knock on your door and say ‘Why don’t I play’? But the evidence is there.”
“It’s not for everyone, but that’s football. You have to keep training and preparing because when the day comes, you have to be ready and so many people are not ready.”
“Credit to the players who came on in the second half, we looked like a Premier League team.
“Penalties are like a lottery but we have created enough chances to win the game.”