Wrexham complete Hollywood FA Cup win vs Nottingham Forest

EFL Championship side Wrexham hosted the Premier League's Nottingham Forest this evening at the Racecourse Ground.

The Welsh Dragons have had some great FA Cup results over recent seasons, which saw them defeat Coventry City and draw with Sheffield United as a non-league club, with both sides at the time being in the Championship.

Ryan Reynolds and Mickey Thomas were in the crowd cheering on Wrexham, hoping that the Welsh side would cause an upset, and they did.

Douglas Luiz put the ball in the back of the net after 17 minutes, but a short delay from Paul Tierney saw him rule the goal out. It was a sign of relief for Wrexham, who were still drawing with the Premier League side after the decision.

Liberato Cacace picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box in the 37th minute and drilled a low shot towards goal. His shot which was low and hard, beat the outstretched Matz Sels, and Wrexham were in front.

But a 1-0 lead was not good enough for Wrexham, as three minutes later, they doubled their lead. Ollie Rathbone found the ball inside the box after it was bouncing around between him and Forest defender Morato, but Rathbone slotted it into the bottom right corner with his right foot, putting his team 2-0 to the good.

Just before half-time, Sam Smith was played through one-on-one against Selz, but his shot was straight down the middle and the keeper made a crucial save, keeping Forest in the FA Cup just before the half-time interval.

Forest came out fighting but Wrexham dealt with the pressure well. The first good chance for Sean Dyche's side came from a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Douglas Luiz's strike was well saved by goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.

Igor Jesus pulled one back in the 64th minute, as his header crossed the line before Callum Doyle cleared. With under half an hour left, Forest had a lifeline. Dyche's team had woken up after half-time and were in the ascendancy, chasing an equaliser.

However, Wrexham went 3-1 up and restored their two-goal cushion. George Dobson delivered a world-class cross from a free-kick, which met the head of Dominic Hyam, who guided his header past Selz. Wrexham had 15 minutes left to hold onto their advantage, but the FA Cup is never easy going...

Less than two minutes later, Callum Hudson-Odoi found the back of the net from a low shot on goal, keeping Forest in the tie.

Nottingham Forest now needed an equaliser in the remaining 14 minutes.

In the 90th minute, Hudson-Odoi found himself in plenty of space in the box, and he chested a brilliant pass from Savona, before lifting a shot over Okonkwo and scoring a leveller. 3-3 was the score with 90 minutes gone.

At full-time, with the score level, extra-time was next...

Extra time brought an extra 30 minutes of football, but after 120 minutes, the tie was to be decided on penalties.

The shootout began with both sides scoring their first penalty. The first player to miss was Wrexham's James McLean, meaning Igor Jesus had the chance to put his side 2-1 up in the shootout, but Okonkwo denied the Brazilian from 12 yards out.

The following five penalties were scored with Wrexham leading 4-3 as Omari Hutchinson stepped up to take his spot-kick. He had to score, otherwise Forest were out of the competition. His strike was to the right of the goal, but it was met by Arthur Okonkwo, who kept the penalty out. Wrexham were through to round four after beating Nottingham Forest on penalties.

For the first time in 26 years, Wrexham had beaten a Premier League side in the FA Cup.

It was a game full of highs and lows for Wrexham and their fans, but it was certainly a memorable game for the right reasons.

The final score was Wrexham 3-3 Nottingham Forest (4-3 on penalties).