Wrexham

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

The game did not live up to the hype, but the result means both clubs maintain momentum.

Swansea City remain top of the early-season table and Wrexham have enjoyed a better week after their slow start to the new campaign.

Their meeting at the Swansea.com Stadium came with a pre-match turn from a male voice choir, a sell-out crowd and a sizzling atmosphere.

But the match itself never really found a spark.

Perhaps it was for the best that Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac were not in the commentary box for this one – as they were when the two Welsh clubs met last March – because they would not have had too much to talk about.

The biggest discussion point in the post-match press conferences – or Wrexham's, at least – was the 77th-minute Ben Cabango challenge on Callum O'Hare which led to a yellow card for the Swansea captain.

Phil Parkinson said Cabango should have been sent off, Vitor Matos declined to join the debate.

A sending off would have helped Wrexham's cause late on, of course, but this was one of those games which seemed destined to end goalless.

Swansea had plenty of the ball – as expected – but could not replicate the zip and accuracy in possession which had their fans purring after last Tuesday's win over Watford.

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Wrexham had their moments, missing the night's clearest chance when debutant Callum O'Hare made space to shoot in the penalty area only to drag his shot wide.

Parkinson felt his side had looked the more menacing, with Max Cleworth unable to turn in Josh Windass' drive at the far post and Kieffer Moore denied by Swansea keeper Lawrence Vigouroux late on.

The home side's best chance fell to substitute Zan Vipotnik, who did well to reach Moussa Yeo's cross only for his sliding shot to go straight at Anthony Patterson.

For what it's worth, Swansea's xG was 0.73 compared to Wrexham's 0.64.

Ultimately, the stalemate was about right.

Swansea remain unbeaten - and have a fourth straight clean sheet on the board - as they prepare for what looks a demanding fixture at Southampton on Tuesday.

Wrexham return home to the Racecourse to face a struggling Burnley side in midweek having lifted the mood by taking four points – and registering two shutouts – from two demanding away trips in three days.

While each side would have wanted more from the Welsh derby, Swansea and Wrexham move on after what ultimately will be considered a decent result for both.

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says Nathan Broadhead and Ben Sheaf are close to returning from injury as his side prepare to face Swansea City tonight (20:00 BST).

Broadhead missed the 3-0 win over Millwall at The Den in midweek while Sheaf is yet to feature this season.

But the Red Dragons remain without Liberato Cacace who has not been involved for Wrexham this season.

"Broady's close. He was only a minor knock," Parkinson said.

"Sheafo's trained for most of the session today (Friday). Libby's a bit behind."

George Dobson has been omitted from Wrexham's past two Championship matchday squads.

The midfielder was linked with a move away from north Wales during the summer transfer window.

Despite the 28-year-old's absence for the matches against Birmingham City and Millwall, Parkinson said Dobson will be ready to make an impact for the team.

"We can only pick nine subs and we've got decent options, but Dobbo is waiting for his chance," added Parkinson.

"He'll be ready and he'll be required, there's no doubt about that.

"He had a good first season in the Championship last season and we know he's a good player.

"He's a key character for us at the training ground and he'll be ready when called upon."

Transfer deadline day signings Joe Worrall and Callum O'Hare - who were both unused substitutes at Millwall on Wednesday - are in contention to feature against the Swans.

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Ben Whiteman says Wrexham's ambition to reach the Premier League was a key driver in his decision to join the club from Preston North End.

Ahead of the current campaign, the central midfielder signed a three-year contract with the Red Dragons, who hold the option to extend Whiteman's deal by a further 12 months.

The 30-year-old also revealed Ben Sheaf and Ollie Rathbone played a role in his decision to move to the Racecourse Ground.

"I think it was the ambition of the football club wanting to get to the Premier League, that was something that I wanted to do in my career," he said of his switch to north Wales.

"From the outside looking in, everything's done properly, really.

"If you look at the football club, I spoke to a couple of the boys that I know here in Ollie Rathbone and Sheafo [Ben Sheaf], they told me what an exciting project it is.

"But I think the ambition was the main goal really."

The midfielder has featured in each of Wrexham's five matches across all competitions so far this season.

Before Wrexham's contest at Swansea City on Saturday night (20:00 BST), manager Phil Parkinson admitted he was "really pleased" with Whiteman's performances so far.

Despite an encouraging start to life with Wrexham, Whiteman - who made more than 200 appearances for Preston - admits it was a difficult decision to leave Deepdale in the summer.

"I've got great memories from that football club, I captained it and it was a huge honour for me," he said.

"I've still got loads of mates there now. They've had a really disappointing start, but I'm sure they'll turn it around.

"They've got some great people at the football club and hopefully they can do that.

"But now I'm a Wrexham player and my full focus is on getting us to the Premier League."

Whiteman left the Lilywhites on a sour note - with North End boss Paul Heckingbottom questioning the midfielder's conduct just two days before he secured a transfer to Wrexham.

"Ben knew there was a line I didn't want him to cross and unfortunately he has," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire in early August.

Despite his somewhat bitter exit from the Lancashire side, Whiteman stated he had no control over what others said about his situation.

"It's football and I can't control what people say," added Whiteman.

"There's a few people that knew what happened and that's all I can say."

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Wrexham assistant manager Steve Parkin described Callum Doyle as an "all-round package" following the defender's impressive start to the campaign.

The former Manchester City defender has excelled since forcing his way into the side midway through last season.

According to WhoScored.com, the centre-back ended the 3-0 victory over Millwall on Wednesday night having made one dribble, one tackle and three interceptions (more than any other Wrexham player) in addition to winning three aerial duels and two free-kicks.

Speaking prior to the contest with the Lions at The Den, Parkin had lauded the talents of the 22-year-old defender.

"He is very effective going forwards, even as a centre-back," Parkin said.

"He's got the ability to score, he's got the ability to put great crosses in and he's effective in and around the box in his combination play.

"I think there's still work to be done on his defending and I think there's still work that he wants to do defensively to get better, which is great. "

Phil Parkinson's assistant also noted the Manchester-born youngster's temperament.

"He's a good lad around the place, he can be a bit feisty and a bit moody at times but we don't mind that at all, " added Parkin.

"But in general he never shies away from having the football, he never shies away from a challenge.

"He's big and he's physical, which is an attribute of his as well, so he's a good all-round package."

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Elliot Lee said he has had the "time of his life" as he bid farewell to Wrexham.

Lee, 31, has left the Championship club by mutual consent after scoring 41 goals in 152 appearances during his four years at the Racecourse.

The midfielder featured in Wrexham's three successive promotions that saw them rise from the National League to the Championship.

"It meant so much to me to pull that shirt on with my teammates every week and give everything for this club," Lee posted on X.

"I absolutely loved it. Me and my family will be supporters for life.

"Together we made history, broke records and made some unforgettable memories along the way.

"I've had the time of my life."

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Former captain Ben Tozer says Phil Parkinson has answered his critics after Wrexham responded to their early-season questions with a "perfect away performance" at Millwall.

Wrexham clinched their first Championship win of the season in style with an emphatic 3-0 victory over beaten play-off semi-finalists Millwall.

Parkinson's side were winless and without a clean sheet in four matches across all competitions ahead of their trip to The Den.

Ex-Wales striker Iwan Roberts had suggested Parkinson was "probably under pressure for the first time" since he was appointed Wrexham boss in 2021.

But Tozer, who made 136 appearances and won back-to-back promotions with Wrexham, says the win at Millwall was the "perfect" response.

"Parkinson has been questioned after their start," Tozer told BBC Radio Wales.

"But he will have known there was a response coming from the team and he made the right changes - bringing back [Max] Cleworth and [Josh] Windass - to get that response.

"Parkinson has often been questioned, but he always comes up with the answers.

"That was pretty much the perfect away performance at a really tough place to play that saw the home crowd turn on their team pretty early.

"Three goals, a clean sheet and no shots on target faced.

"They controlled the game, even at three-nil, and the players coming off the bench kept the intensity and energy levels high."

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Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson now knows the makeup of his squad until January following the closure of the summer transfer window.

Deadline day deals were struck to sign Sheffield United's Callum O'Hare and Burnley's Joe Worrall, taking the Red Dragons up to seven summer signings.

They joined goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, wing-backs Danny Imray, Issa Kabore and Jacques Ekomie, and midfielder Ben Whiteman through the door at the Racecourse Ground.

Wrexham also offloaded several players, most notably Conor Coady and Elliott Lee, who saw their contracts mutually terminated, while Arthur Okonkwo and Ryan Hardie departed on loan.

With the transfer window now closed, we want to know your thoughts and feelings as Wrexham look to build on their first win of the campaign at Millwall.

Are you satisfied with the quality of players brought into the club? Have Wrexham been left with enough depth for a taxing Championship campaign?

Which of the new additions excites you the most? Is there a position Wrexham failed to address over the summer?

Let us know what you think by clicking here.

A delighted Phil Parkinson discusses Wrexham's 3-0 win at Millwall and their transfer deadline day business.

Kieffer Moore believes Wrexham's 3-0 victory over Millwall was "worlds apart" from their 2-1 loss to Birmingham City five days earlier.

Moore netted his side's second goal in the triumph over the Lions at The Den, as Phil Parkinson's men registered their first Championship win of the campaign on the fourth attempt.

The Wales international lauded the way his side reacted to their underwhelming display in their defeat by Birmingham last time out.

"Very satisfying. I thought to a man, we were incredible," said Moore. "Everyone coming off the bench, incredible as well.

"It was a real team performance. We dug in deep, we worked hard together. I think in moments, we oozed quality.

"It was worlds apart from Birmingham today. We're delighted. We wanted a reaction, and we got a reaction."

Wrexham were left bitterly disappointed not to win either of their opening two league games of the season against Cardiff City and Watford.

Their loss to Birmingham then meant they had gained just two of the first nine points on offer this season, although they have risen to 11th in the table courtesy of their victory at Millwall.

And frontman Moore hopes the Red Dragons can now kick on after gaining a valuable three points in the English capital.

"We never lacked confidence. We've put in some good displays; I think we just lacked certain moments of quality maybe, and decisions," the 34-year-old added.

"The start of the season can be like that for everyone.

"I think you can look across the league, it's really spread out at the moment and it will be like that until maybe November.

"But we'll take huge momentum from this win and we're delighted."