North Americans have rarely been fans of draws in sport, so the unscripted FA Cup drama of seeing Arthur Okonkwo take a starring role in a penalty shootout after Wrexham were pegged back in the final minute of normal time must have brought joy to co-owner Ryan Reynolds in the stands. The club the Hollywood actor invested in were just about underdogs against Premier League Nottingham Forest in a game that included numerous plot twists, only to provide the romantic ending the majority wanted.
The heroic Okonkwo saved from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson in the shootout to ensure James McClean’s miss was irrelevant. It should have been easier for Wrexham, who had a two-goal lead at 3-1 before Callum Hudson-Odoi’s double forced extra time on an energy-sapping and freezing night.
“It was an entertaining game, probably a bit too entertaining at times for both managers,” Wrexham’s Phil Parkinson said. “This is a great night. We highlighted to the lads some of the great moments in this club’s history in the FA Cup and could we make our own bit of history tonight. We’ve certainly done that, in a tough game against a very good side in Forest.”
The outcome was, arguably, ideal for both sides, although neither would have welcomed the requirement of 30 extra minutes. Wrexham completed a fifth consecutive victory to help build momentum as they seek promotion to the top flight. Forest can now focus on a relegation battle and the Europa League knockout stages, while manager Sean Dyche is also able to show the club hierarchy that he cannot rely on his fringe players.
“The first half’s the frustrating bit,” Dyche said. “Completely unacceptable, miles off. Players who have got a platform to come and play and show me what their worth is to themselves, first of all, and the team and they didn’t do that. I thought it was miles off and absolutely unacceptable.”
Forest started brighter after making eight changes, looking composed on the ball but without any level of incision in the final third. Wrexham were happy to sit back against a sluggish side unable to find a rhythm. Douglas Luiz rightly had a goal disallowed for handball in an otherwise forgettable half for the visitors.
Wrexham were aided by Forest making numerous mistakes in possession. The New Zealand international Liberato Cacace capitalised after Hutchinson lost the ball on the edge of his own box and fired into the corner for his first goal in English football, much to the delight of a vociferous home support.
Three minutes later the lead was doubled, thanks to more loose Forest play. Wrexham were sharp, winning it in their opponent’s half again, Nathan Broadhead fizzed the ball towards the edge of the box, picking out Ollie Rathbone, who got a lucky ricochet before calmly slotting home.
There was an FA Cup third round upset at Deepdale, where Championship high-flyers Preston lost 1-0 to League One Wigan thanks to teenager Harrison Bettoni's strike.
The 18-year-old saw his 75th-minute shot loop into the net via a deflection off substitute Andrew Hughes and, although Callum Wright missed a late penalty to make it 2-0, Wigan manager Ryan Lowe got one over on his former employers.
Oxford are into the fourth round but only after the Championship strugglers edged out League Two MK Dons on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Aaron Collins put the Dons ahead before Will Lankshear equalised for the visitors, and misses from the spot by Jonathan Leko and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans won the tie for Oxford, who are into the fourth round for the first time since 2020.
They were watched by Matt Bloomfield, who was announced as Oxford head coach a few hours before kick-off, while interim boss Craig Short took charge.
Jon Brady's first game in charge of Port Vale ended in victory as they defeated Fleetwood 1-0. Jordan Shipley struck in stoppage time at the end of the first half to take Port Vale past this stage of the competition for the first time since 2013-14.
Vale are bottom of League Two but have won both games since the departure of Darren Moore.
“Premier League, you’re a having a laugh” was the piercing and deserved chant aimed at Dyche on the touchline. The Forest manager made a triple change at the break in search of improvement from his regulars. Morgan Gibbs-White raised the tempo after his introduction but it felt like he was doing it alone.
Igor Jesus spent the night isolated but did reduce the deficit with a header in the 64th minute. After that Forest were in the ascendancy and looking for an equaliser with Wrexham being pushed back but the Premier League club’s defensive frailties came to the fore. They gave away a needless free-kick, which Dom Hyam headed home at the far post to make it 3-1 and give the impression the upset was complete.
Hudson-Odoi, recently off the bench, had other ideas. An instinctive first-time finish reduced the deficit but it looked to be in vain until he superbly chested the ball down and caressed home in the 89th minute to finally silence the home fans.
As the temperatures dropped below zero, Forest had sustained pressure in extra time but without creating a clear-cut opportunity. Josh Windass could have won it when through one on one but goalkeeper Matz Sels was alert, sending everyone to a test of nerves in the shootout.
When McClean smashed into the stands, Forest had their chance but Okonkwo was unwilling to let reputations win the night, saving immediately from Igor Jesus. “Arthur is a colossus, he’s such a presence in the goal, you always feel you have a chance,” Parkinson said with understatement. “ I want them to soak up the feeling of the achievement of tonight and come back in on Monday, ready to focus on our league campaign next week.”
