Wrexham’s EFL Trophy journey took a dramatic turn as they lost a penalty shoot-out to Port Vale following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Despite the shoot-out loss, Wrexham emerged as Northern Group B leaders on goal difference, securing a crucial home advantage for the upcoming last-32 knockout round.
Secured Knockout Berths for Both Sides
With both Wrexham and Port Vale already assured spots in the knockout stages going into this match, it was a battle more for pride and positioning than survival. The stakes for top spot, however, added extra weight to an otherwise intense group-stage clash at Vale Park.
Wrexham’s young talent, Mo Faal, who has impressed in this year’s competition, was keen to make his presence known early. He forced a save from Port Vale’s goalkeeper, Ben Amos, with a well-directed header. Not to be outdone, Port Vale’s Ruari Paton tested Wrexham keeper Callum Burton at the opposite end, hinting at the even fight to come.
Cleworth Strikes First, but Vale Finds a Late Answer
The second half saw Wrexham take the lead, courtesy of Max Cleworth. A close-range finish, set up by Jon Bodvarsson, put Wrexham ahead, and for a time it looked like that advantage would stand. The goal came just as Wrexham’s substitute keeper Mark Howard, marking his 50th appearance for the club, entered the fray. Howard, called upon early in the half, had to be sharp in the net, pulling off a string of impressive saves as Vale pressed forward.
Port Vale continued to search for an equalizer, with shots from Benicio Baker-Boaitey, Jesse Debrah, and Antwoine Hackford testing Howard’s resolve. Eventually, with only eight minutes left in regulation, Vale’s Rico Richards latched onto a cross from the left flank and found the back of the net, sending the game into a penalty shoot-out.
Shootout Drama and a Familiar Hero for Vale
As is the rule in the EFL Trophy group stages, a draw in regulation goes straight to penalties, with the winning side collecting an extra point. The shoot-out did not disappoint, adding tension to an already tightly contested game. Vale’s Ben Amos proved to be the hero of the night, stopping three Wrexham spot-kicks from Anthony Forde, Seb Revan, and Ollie Rathbone, leading Port Vale to a 3-1 victory in the shootout.
While the shoot-out loss was a setback, Wrexham’s overall performance across the group stage saw them clinch the top spot on goal difference, a hard-won reward that will give them home-field advantage in the last-32 round.
Off-field Incident Mars an Otherwise Spirited Contest
The evening’s action was soured by an off-field incident, as a spectator was ejected for alleged homophobic abuse. Port Vale quickly condemned the behavior, stating, “Tonight, the club once again expresses its anger and disappointment in the strongest possible terms, having taken action to eject an individual from the stands.” The incident drew sharp attention, with both clubs and spectators urging stronger measures against such incidents.
Looking Ahead for Wrexham
Now turning their focus to the knockout stages, Wrexham will have the advantage of playing at home in the next round of the EFL Trophy. The hard-fought game at Port Vale, though ending in shoot-out disappointment, underlined Wrexham’s resilience and depth. As the competition intensifies, they’ll be looking to build on this momentum and keep pushing forward in their EFL Trophy campaign.
