• Home
  • Football
  • Wrexham Ready For More Premier League Stress Testing As Chelsea Await

Wrexham Ready for More Premier League Stress Testing as Chelsea Await

Wrexham's Kieffer Moore (centre). Pic. Alamy

Wrexham's Kieffer Moore (centre). Pic. Alamy

Wrexham's astonishing home record in the FA Cup under Phil Parkinson will face its sternest test yet this weekend, as Ian Mitchelmore reports.

The Red Dragons are unbeaten in all eight of their FA Cup ties played at Stok Cae Ras under their current manager - winning six outright, progressing via a subsequent penalty shoot-out in another and earning a replay from the other.

But they will have to be at their rip-roaring best as they welcome Premier League Chelsea to north Wales on Saturday evening.

Having already dumped out a top-flight side in Nottingham Forest and promotion-chasing Ipswich Town in this season's run to the fifth round, Wrexham will have every faith that they can cause yet another upset in the world's oldest national football competition. 

READ MORE: Wrexham Have Shown Glamour Won’t Stop Promotion Push, Says Phil Parkinson

And Parkinson's men go into the contest in fine fettle.

Their gritty 1-0 win at Charlton Athletic last time out was their third league triumph in succession, the second time this season they have managed that feat in the Championship.

They have shown a range of different qualities during the course of their league wins against Ipswich, Portsmouth and Charlton in the week prior to the visit of Liam Rosenior's Blues.

READ MORE: No Bug in Wrexham’s System . . . Phil Parkinson’s Team Just Keep Winning

There was courage, quality and spirit to come from 3-2 down to beat the Tractor Boys 5-3 in an absolute thriller.

That was followed by an incredibly strong attacking showing in the first-half against Pompey, and a solid rearguard effort in the second-half.

As for the win at The Valley, Wrexham certainly rode their luck and were perhaps fortunate to leave the English capital with all three points.

But even opposition boss Nathan Jones was gracious enough to acknowledge that Wrexham's ability to grind out victories is admirable.

"Good sides find ways to win games, that's what they've done – and they are a good side," said the Welshman. 

"You don't win the games they have in a four-year period if you are not."

READ MORE: Wrexham are Proving They've Been Carefully Built for Another Instant Promotion

In reaching the FA Cup fifth round, Wrexham have already earned £127,000 in prize money, a sum that will increase to £238,500 if they can upset the odds to beat eight-time winners Chelsea. 

Then, of course, there is the broadcast revenue they will generate from having the match screened live on TV around the world, in addition to the gate receipts.

But Wrexham's prime focus this season, particularly now with such a daunting task ahead of them in the FA Cup, simply has to remain on gaining promotion into the Premier League.

They currently have a four-point buffer over seventh-placed Southampton and are guaranteed to remain in the play-off places after their encounter with Chelsea, even without playing a Championship match this weekend.

And while the prospect of securing a monumental scalp against Chelsea remains a tantalising one, Parkinson's decision to call the cup tie a "bonus" spoke volumes - not that he will be taking it lightly, of course.

"We said to the lads that the Chelsea game was a huge bonus, a high-profile game, but there was a determination about us to go into it with a good performance," he said after the triumph over Charlton.

"Now, it’s a deep breath and let the lads relax a bit and get ready for what will be a terrific night for the football club next Saturday."

It all means Wrexham can go into the game adopting a win-win mentality, as their match-up with Chelsea represents a true free hit.

Parkinson's side can be thrilled with the way they have gone about their business this season, and, whatever the outcome against the Blues, those in red and white can rest assured that they still have a huge amount to play for after Saturday's game has been and gone.

 

Related News

Christian Fuchs, Team Manager of Newport County. Pic. Alamy

Christian Fuchs is Smiling Again as Newport County Rise up After 151 days

Newport County have shown they are alive and kicking in League Two, following a victory that has changed the relegation picture as well the table itself, as Callum Buckle reports.

Callum Buckle | Mar 04, 2026
Champions again: The New Saints F.C. had another message to send out.

The New Saints are Champions Again . . . But Barry Town United Will Take Some Forgetting

Two games – three days apart – showed the very best of Welsh domestic football, as Ian Mitchelmore reports.

Ian Mitchelmore | Mar 04, 2026
Wales players celebrate a goal during the European qualifying round group B1 for 2027 Women's Football World Championship. Pic. Alamy

Rhian Wilkinson Admits Wales got Lucky . . . and Hopes They Stay That Way

It was not the most convincing start to a World Cup campaign for Wales, but it proved a valuable one.

Hannah Blackwell | Mar 04, 2026
Dylan Lawlor (48) of Cardiff City. Pic. Alamy

Lawlor the Ballon d'Or-er . . . Stats Show Cardiff City Star is Elite Performer

He’s the talk of the town, but it’s Dylan Lawlor’s match data that is really turning up the volume, says Ian Mitchelmore.

Ian Mitchelmore | Mar 03, 2026
Wrexham Manager Phil Parkinson. Pic. Alamy

Wrexham Have Shown Glamour Won’t Stop Promotion Push, Says Phil Parkinson

Phil Parkinson has insisted Wrexham have proved they were determined not to let their FA Cup clash with Chelsea distract from their promotion campaign.

David Williams | Mar 02, 2026
Barry Town United

Ieuan the Lion Slays The New Saints as Barry Boys Produce Cup Stunner

Ieuan Owen was the toast of Barry Town as he fired home twice to spearhead a sensational 2-0 Nathaniel MG Cup final triumph over holders The New Saints at Penybont’s DragonBet Stadium.

Rob Cole | Mar 02, 2026