FA Cup: Wrexham and Sheffield United Draw in Exciting Clash, Match To Be Replayed In February

A thrilling 3-3 draw between Wrexham AFC and Sheffield United in the FA Cup has set up a rematch between the two sides in February, with Wrexham still in contention to become just the sixth non-league team to reach the fifth round of the competition.

Wrexham, who are based in Wales and play in the fifth tier of the English soccer league system, went toe-to-toe with the Blades, who are three levels higher in the league system, and earned a replay. In England, a replay means that the two teams will play a second match at the home venue of the team that played on the road in the first game, with the winner decided beyond 90 minutes.

The 158-year-old club is owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who took the club over in 2020, and the takeover has made Wrexham a much more popular team in the US and beyond. Sunday's game provided a spectacle for the near 10,000-strong crowd, which saw the Red Dragons equalize five minutes into the second half through James Jones, before taking the lead through Thomas O'Connor eleven minutes later.

Oliver Norwood leveled the game for Sheffield United just four minutes later, but the Blades were reduced to 10 men shortly after when Daniel Jebbison was given a straight red card. Wrexham's Paul Mullin, who moved down a division to join the club despite having scored a league-record 32 goals for Cambridge United in 2021, made it 3-2 in the 86th minute.

John Egan equalized for Sheffield United five minutes into added time, and the game ended in a draw, setting up a rematch to take place at Bramall Lane on Feb. 7-8. With Premier League sides Arsenal and Liverpool already having fallen this season, Wrexham will be hoping to write a small piece of history and make it to the fifth round.

Wrexham's Battle for FA Cup Glory

There is something special about the FA Cup; the idea that a small, non-league team could beat teams from higher divisions and make it to the fifth round is a romantic notion that has captured the public’s imagination for many years. Wrexham AFC, based in Wales, is looking to become just the sixth non-league team to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup, and they have a chance after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Sheffield United at the Racecourse Ground on Sunday.

The158-year-old club is owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, and their takeover has made Wrexham a much more popular team in the US and beyond. The Wales-based side play in the National League, which is the fifth tier of professional English soccer, and three levels below the Blades, who they have now taken to a replay.

At the Game

Sunday’s game provided a spectacle for the near 10,000-strong crowd, who saw the Red Dragons equalize five minutes into the second half through James Jones, before taking the lead through Thomas O'Connor eleven minutes later. Oliver Norwood leveled the game for Sheffield United just four minutes later, but the Blades were reduced to 10 men shortly after when Daniel Jebbison was given a straight red card. Wrexham’s star man Paul Mullin, who moved down a division to join the club despite having scored a league-record 32 goals for Cambridge United in 2021, sent the home fans into raptures when he smashed home four minutes from time for what looked to be the winning strike. However, Sheffield United had other ideas, and equalized five minutes into added time through John Egan to earn a replay at Bramall Lane.

The Bigger Picture

The FA Cup is one of the most special domestic cups in soccer, and it is extremely lucrative for smaller clubs. Sunday’s game put Wrexham on the soccer map even more for those previously unfamiliar with them, and they now have a chance to write a small piece of history. Going away to Sheffield United is a tall order, as they have only been beaten twice on home turf all season, but Sunday’s spirited showing gives Wrexham hope.

Conclusion

The draw between Wrexham and Sheffield United has set up an exciting rematch in February, with the Welsh side looking to become the sixth non-league team to reach the fifth round of the competition. The 158-year-old club has become more popular in the US and beyond since its 2020 takeover, and Sunday’s game will have helped to raise the profile of the club even more. Wrexham will have to be at their best when they travel away to Sheffield United, but their spirited showing against the Blades gives them hope of writing a small piece of history.