Blackburn end Wrexham’s FA Cup run with 4-1 home win
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Fourth-tier Wrexham’s FA Cup dreams have been dashed after Sammie Szmodics scored twice as Blackburn Rovers came from behind to beat the ‘Hollywood club’ 4-1 and secure a fifth round clash with Premier League Newcastle United.
An upset looked on the cards when Andy Cannon fired League Two Wrexham ahead in the 19th minute, but the Championship side replied with two goals in the space of two minutes.
Szmodics equalised in the 32nd and Sam Gallagher made it 2-1 in the 34th after Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo was caught out of position.
Former Colechester and Peterborough midfielder Szmodics grabbed his second of the night – and fifth of the FA Cup campaign – in first-half stoppage time before Sondre Tronstad made it 4-1 with a deflected shot in the 59th minute.
Cannon’s goal was Wrexham’s first real chance and he blasted the ball past goalkeeper Aynsley Pears to a roar from the 7000 Wrexham fans who had made the trip to Blackburn’s Ewood Park.
Pears denied Cannon a second with a fine double save three minutes later but there was to be no fairytale finish for the Welsh side as Blackburn turned up the heat and swept the visitors aside.
Wrexham have won global support since A-list actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over the club and helped secure their return to the English Football League after a 15-year absence.
Those with longer memories will recall Wrexham as FA Cup giant-killers of the past, famously dumping then-league champions Arsenal out of the third round in a huge 1992 upset.
Reuters
