Wrexham ended their tour Down Under with a disappointing loss against Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, as Arthur Okonkwo's mistake proved costly.
Wrexham end pre-season tour with a lossWent down 1-0 against Wellington PhoenixOkonkwo's mistaked proved costlyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱TELL ME MORE
The Red Dragons wrapped up their time in Australia and New Zealand by losing 1-0 to the A-League side at the Sky Stadium. Luke Flowerdew's 49th-minute close-range goal made the difference as the Welsh club finished its tour with two defeats from three friendly games Down Under.
Wrexham goalkeeper Okonkwo had a night to forget as his costly error gifted Flowerdew the opportunity to score the winner. Okonkwo should have comfortably collected a low cross inside the six-yard box but the ex-Arsenal man fumbled it and the ball fell kindly for the Phoenix star, who casually pushed it into the net.
The Championship side had quite a few opportunities to come back or seal a win. Elliot Lee had an opportunity to equalise almost immediately but his brilliant header cannoned back off the woodwork. Then, just past the hour mark, Lee attempted a powerful half-volley but goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi pulled off a fine save to stop him from restoring parity.
Ollie Palmer also saw a goal ruled for handball as Phil Parkinson's men suffered a frustrating and avoidable loss as they prepare for the long trip back to the UK.
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Phoenix custodian Oluwayemi had an outstanding outing in goal as he made a couple of brilliant saves, including the stunner he pulled off to deny Lee from scoring a leveller around the hour mark.
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New Wrexham signing Ryan Hardie started up front and had a few opportunities to break the deadlock in the early minutes of the match. The young forward, however, missed the chances and was eventually replaced by Palmer in the 63rd minute.
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Harry Ashfield was livewire for Wrexham in the centre of the park and created several goalscoring opportunities, including the one for Lee, whose header hit the woodwork. The 19-year-old academy graduate is definitely one to watch out for in the 2025-26 campaign.