Wrexham and Birmingham City faced off on Thursday night at the Racecourse Ground, playing to a thrilling 1-1 draw in the much-anticipated League One matchup. The match, often dubbed the "Hollywood derby" due to its high-profile owners, proved to be as competitive as predicted, as both teams fought for valuable points in the race for promotion.
The action began quickly, with Wrexham's Ollie Rathbone stunning the crowd just nine minutes in. Rathbone curled in a magnificent long-range shot, putting Wrexham ahead early and sending the home fans wild with excitement. His goal looked set to be the narrative of the evening, but Birmingham was not to be outdone.
Just nine minutes after Rathbone's strike, Birmingham equalized through Lyndon Dykes. Dykes, who scored with the help of a deflection off Wrexham’s George Dobson, ensured the match remained level. The back-and-forth nature of the scoring reflected both teams' determination and was indicative of their respective ambitions for the season.
With the score at 1-1, the intensity only grew. Both teams exchanged chances, but neither could find the decisive second goal. Birmingham's manager Chris Davies expressed his appreciation for his team's resilience, stating, "We responded to the goal, we were calm and got control of the game again." Indeed, his team extended their unbeaten streak to 15 matches across all competitions, solidifying their leading position at the top of League One.
Conversely, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson reiterated his team’s committed performance, noting, "We had them on the rack." This tenacity from Wrexham underscored their relentless pursuit of promotion, particularly considering they have risen impressively from the National League and are now aiming for their third consecutive promotion under the celebrity ownership of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
One notable aspect of the evening was the absence of the co-owners. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were not present at the match, unlike last September's encounter, which had been attended by numerous celebrities including footballer David Beckham and NFL great Tom Brady, who is part-owner of Birmingham. This time, McElhenney did send messages of support from Los Angeles, calling the match against Birmingham “the best side we've played all season.”
Even without their star owners on the sidelines, the match attracted significant attention, especially from U.S. networks. This game marked Wrexham’s 27th league match broadcast live across CBS's channels, solidifying the club’s unique appeal and popularity across the Atlantic.
Birmingham's ownership was also evident during the match. Tom Wagner, Birmingham's American owner, mingled with fans, celebrating Dykes’ equalizer among supporters. His enthusiasm was noticeably different from the club’s past owners, indicating a new era of engagement and community connection. Wagner’s presence, adorned in the club's scarves and colors, showcased his commitment to the team's culture and growth.
Notably, Wrexham’s captain James McClean played just over 35 hours after being involved in a car crash, impressively contributing to the match. Sporting bandages on his arm, he participated physically and demonstrated resilience—a true embodiment of his team’s spirit on the pitch. Despite sustaining injuries, McClean was active throughout the contest, showcasing his determination and commitment to the cause.
The energy waned slightly as the match progressed, with Birmingham seeming to lose control. Their first-half dominance transformed with Wrexham capitalizing on the home crowd's energy. The second half saw Wrexham create numerous opportunities, though they struggled to convert those chances. A near-miss from McClean and efforts from the substitutes pointed to persistent pressure applied on Birmingham’s defense.
After the match, both sides knew the outcome had implications for their climb up the League One standings. Birmingham maintained their lead with 57 points, just three points clear of second-place Wycombe and five ahead of Wrexham. The stakes were particularly high as both teams aimed not just for the playoffs but the coveted automatic promotion spots.
Looking forward, Wrexham's next match will be against Stevenage on January 28, continuing their push for promotion, and Birmingham will host Huddersfield Town the same day. With the season still taking shape, both clubs' paths could intersect yet again, perhaps with even higher stakes at play.
This match, though only resulting in shared points, made it clear: both Wrexham and Birmingham City are serious contenders for promotion. If this scrappy draw illustrated anything, it is the fierce competition present as these teams strive to ascend the ranks of English football.