CUP KING TOM STRIKES AGAIN
Fourth-round sequel for O’connor
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IT’S an FA Cup fourth-round sequel for Hollywood-backed Wrexham thanks to a goal which wasn’t exactly Tinsel-town quality.
And it’s the unlikely figure of defender Tom O’connor who will once again grab the headlines as his incredible FA Cup story continued.
He settled this niggly cross-border derby with a deflected 72nd-minute strike to evoke memories of last season when he scored in the third round against Coventry and in the following round when the Red Dragons faced Premier Leaguebound Sheffield United.
The 23-year-old Irishman hasn’t hit the back of the net since then but, when substitute Sam Dalby delivered a short pass into a crowded penalty area, O’connor seized the opportunity, his shot looping over keeper Marko Marosi off unfortunate Shrews skipper Chey Dunkley.
Delighted Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said: “This was a day for our supporters. Fifteen or 16 years ago Shrewsbury beat us to all but condemn the club to the National League. It’s great that our supporters can now celebrate against our local rivals.
“It’s a great win because it’s against one of our rivals. It wasn’t just a League One team we were playing, it was our local rivals.”
On O’connor coming up with the goods again, Parkinson added: “Tommy has a knack and he will get more goals for us because he is a calm finisher. It’s great for Tommy to get the headlines.”
Wrexham’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mcelhenney settled for watching this tie unfold from the other side of the Atlantic.
Both would have been hiding behind the sofa when Shrewsbury midfielder Taylor Perry twice had chances to grab a replay in added time but on both occasions he sliced wide.
Shrews boss Matt Taylor said: “I am leaving here extremely frustrated because I felt we were the better team. The fact of the matter is they have had one shot on target. We have had two or free fabulous opportunities, two from inside seven yards, and did not put the ball in the net. I can’t complain about the performance or effort.”
But he didn’t have any complaints about a studs-up challenge on Marosi from Paul Mullin which sparked a flare-up. “The game was always going to have an edge.” he said.
Wrexham’s goal enjoyed a charmed life with Tunmise Sobowale joining Perry on the naughty step somehow blazing over from inside the six-yard box from Jordan Shipley’s cross.
And, when a brilliant surging run by Mal Benning ended with his effort clipping the bar, you sensed it wasn’t going to be the League One side’s day against their League Two neighbours. SHREWSBURY: Marosi 6, Feeney 6 (Pierre 90), Dunkley 7, Anderson 7 (Sraha 78), Bennett 6, Perry 6, Kenneh 6, Benning 7 (Idowu 67, 6), Sobowale 5 (Bayliss 67, 6), Shipley 7, Bowman 6 (Mata 78, 6) WREXHAM: Okonkwo 6, Cleworth 6,
Tozer 7, O’connor 7, Forde 6 (Barnett 67, 6), Cannon 6 (Jones 78, 6), Evans 7, Lee 7 (Davies 90), Mcclean 7, Mullin 6, Fletcher 6 (Dalby 67, 7)