مدير عام كرة القدم
- Wrexham end pre-season tour with a loss
- Went down 1-0 against Wellington Phoenix
- Okonkwo’s mistaked proved costly
The Red Dragons wrapped up their time in Australia and New Zealand by losing 1-0 to the A-League side at the Sky Stadium. Luke Flowerdew’s 49th-minute close-range goal made the difference as the Welsh club finished its tour with two defeats from three friendly games Down Under.
Wrexham goalkeeper Okonkwo had a night to forget as his costly error gifted Flowerdew the opportunity to score the winner. Okonkwo should have comfortably collected a low cross inside the six-yard box but the ex-Arsenal man fumbled it and the ball fell kindly for the Phoenix star, who casually pushed it into the net.
The Championship side had quite a few opportunities to come back or seal a win. Elliot Lee had an opportunity to equalise almost immediately but his brilliant header cannoned back off the woodwork. Then, just past the hour mark, Lee attempted a powerful half-volley but goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi pulled off a fine save to stop him from restoring parity.
Ollie Palmer also saw a goal ruled for handball as Phil Parkinson’s men suffered a frustrating and avoidable loss as they prepare for the long trip back to the UK.
Phoenix custodian Oluwayemi had an outstanding outing in goal as he made a couple of brilliant saves, including the stunner he pulled off to deny Lee from scoring a leveller around the hour mark.
New Wrexham signing Ryan Hardie started up front and had a few opportunities to break the deadlock in the early minutes of the match. The young forward, however, missed the chances and was eventually replaced by Palmer in the 63rd minute.
Harry Ashfield was livewire for Wrexham in the centre of the park and created several goalscoring opportunities, including the one for Lee, whose header hit the woodwork. The 19-year-old academy graduate is definitely one to watch out for in the 2025-26 campaign.
Parkinson’s side will begin their Championship journey on August 9 with their blockbuster season opener against Southampton.
