Wrexham face Forest as FA Cup brings Premier League spotlight to the Racecourse | OneFootball

Wrexham host Nottingham Forest on Friday in the FA Cup third round, the first Premier League visitors of the Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac era, and another chance for The Racecourse to stage a shock.

According to NY Times, Reynolds’ earliest jolt of the competition came nearly three years ago, when an emotional address to the dressing room followed a 3-3 thriller with Sheffield United that gripped millions.

That night the then non-League hosts led twice before John Egan snatched a stoppage-time equaliser for a Championship side who were flying and went on to win promotion.

Phil Parkinson calls this one of the season’s great weekends, and is delighted by a home tie against top-flight opposition. Wrexham now enter at this stage after a third straight promotion last season.

The fixture revives old glories, from Mickey Thomas shocking champions Arsenal in 1992 to dumping Brian Clough’s Forest at the City Ground a decade earlier. Parkinson has worn the upset tag, leading Bradford to a 4-2 win at Chelsea in 2015.

Under Reynolds and Mac, Wrexham won 4-3 at Coventry in 2023, drew 3-3 with Sheffield United then lost the replay 3-1, and beat fierce neighbours Shrewsbury Town the following year.

Schedules have been punishing, so both sides are unlikely to field strongest line-ups, Forest edged West Ham less than 72 hours earlier. Rotation need not blunt drama, that earlier 3-3 came amid changes and early Wrexham injuries.

Source: NY Times