Wrexham Could End 26-Year Skid With FA Cup Triumph Over Ipswich Town

Wrexham, the oldest club in Wales, stand one victory away from their first FA Cup fifth-round appearance since the 1996–97 campaign, a drought stretching 26 years. Phil Parkinson’s side will welcome Ipswich Town to the STōK Cae Ras on Friday night, knowing a single positive result will rewrite a generation of cup frustration.

The Red Dragons booked their place in the fourth round by toppling Premier League Nottingham Forest in January. After racing to a 3–1 lead, Wrexham were pushed to extra time by two late Forest goals before prevailing 4–3 on penalties in a contest already being labeled an FA Cup classic.

Friday’s draw has offered a favorable path: no giants such as Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester City block the way. Instead, the opposition is familiar Championship foe Ipswich Town, a side Wrexham held to a 0–0 draw at Portman Road in November despite being out-shot 19-2 and seeing little of the ball.

That defensive resilience will again be paramount, yet Wrexham must summon a sharper attacking display if they are to avoid another fourth-round exit. The Welsh outfit have reached this stage 17 times in their history but advanced only five times, most recently succumbing 4-1 to Blackburn Rovers two seasons ago.

A win would match the club’s deepest cup runs. Wrexham previously reached the quarter-finals in 1973–74, 1977–78 and 1996–97, bowing out to Burnley, Arsenal and Chesterfield respectively. They have never progressed beyond the last eight, let alone contested a semi-final or final.

With home advantage and momentum from their dramatic penalty-shootout triumph still fresh, Parkinson’s squad have a gilt-edged chance to snap the 26-year hex and propel Wrexham into the last 16 of the world’s oldest knockout competition.