Peterborough United successfully advanced to the EFL Trophy final after staging a remarkable comeback against Wrexham, winning 4-2 on penalties following a dramatic semi-final match at the Stok Racecourse.
The game unfolded with Wrexham taking control early on. Modou Faal opened the scoring for the Red Dragons at the 34-minute mark, skillfully chipping the ball over Peterborough goalkeeper Jed Steer after receiving a long ball from Max Cleworth. Just four minutes later, George Dobson doubled Wrexham's lead, finishing sharply from close range following Jacob Mendy's cross, marking his first goal since joining Wrexham from Charlton Athletic last summer.
Despite their struggles, Peterborough found hope through Malik Mothersille, who managed to net the rebound after his initial penalty kick was saved by Wrexham's Arthur Okonkwo. This goal trimmed Wrexham's lead to 2-1, setting the stage for the thrilling finale. Just as Wrexham seemed on course for victory, substitute Bradley Ihionvien dramatically equalized for Peterborough deep in injury time, forcing the match to penalties.
Peterborough entered the shootout determined, and captain Hector Kyprianou, along with teammates Ryan de Havilland and Harley Mills, successfully converted their penalties. Okonkwo’s earlier save against Mothersille's penalty didn’t diminish the pressure on Wrexham's Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee, both of whom saw their spot-kicks denied by Steer. This allowed Peterborough to clinch the tie 4-2 on penalties.
Peterborough United, the current holders, are now set to face Birmingham City in the final, aiming to become the first team to retain the EFL Trophy. The match is scheduled for Sunday, April 13, at Wembley Stadium.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson expressed his disappointment post-match, stating, "We were comfortable in the game, 2-0 up and made a lot of changes. I thought the lads did well. Two really poor goals to concede. Moments of concentration, particularly on the second one. It's difficult to take not going to Wembley, but we've got no one else to blame but ourselves."
The match featured both teams adapting their lineups, with Parkinson making eight changes to his Wrexham squad after their recent victory over Mansfield Town. Meanwhile, Peterborough United's options were limited by cup-tied players, but they maintained control of possession early on and mounted pressure against the hosts.
Peterborough's coach, Darren Ferguson, celebrated the comeback, noting, "After suffering two defeats against Wrexham earlier this season, making it to the final now is significant for our team and our fans. We never gave up, and I'm proud of the boys for their determination tonight."
The match began slowly, with Peterborough struggling to find their rhythm, but the momentum shifted once Wrexham took the lead, prompting ecstatic chants of "Wembley again Olé Olé" from their passionate supporters. Yet, after their two-goal advantage, Wrexham's failure to secure the win saw their season’s ambitions for silverware dashed. Fans witnessed suspenseful moments, including near-misses from each team, before the last-minute equalizer from Ihionvien confirmed the need for penalties.
This defeat not only ended Wrexham’s cup hopes but also removed them from contention for the EFL Trophy title, which many had deemed within their grasp after the strong start.
Overall, the evening showcased the thrill of football, underscoring how quickly fortunes can change on the pitch. Peterborough secured their place at Wembley through sheer resilience and tactical adjustments, setting up what promises to be another exciting final against Birmingham City.