Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds denied Hollywood ending in FA Cup thriller

Canadian actor watches as his side concede last-gasp equaliser as Sheffield United force replay

WREXHAM, WALES - JANUARY 29: Ryan Reynolds, Co-Owner of Wrexham acknowledges the fans after the draw during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Wrexham and Sheffield United at Racecourse Ground on January 29, 2023 in Wrexham, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele / Getty Images)

Actor and Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds cheers on his side. AFP

Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds had an emotional evening. AFP

Ryan Reynolds, co-owner of Wrexham, watches the action. Getty

Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds watches the action. AFP

Ryan Reynolds celebrates a Wrexham goal. AFP

Sheffield United's John Egan levels the scores at 3-3 in stoppage time. Getty

Wrexham's Paul Mullin scores their third goal. Getty

Oliver Norwood of Sheffield United celebrates after scoring their second goal. Getty

Wrexham midfielder Thomas O'Connor celebrates after putting his side 2-1 ahead. AFP

James Jones scores for Wrexham to make it 1-1. AFP

James Jones celebrates with teammates after scoring. Getty

James Jones celebrates. Getty

Wrexham goalkeeper Mark Howard is beaten by Sheffield United's Oli McBurnie for the opening goal. AFP

Oli McBurnie is mobbed by teammates after scoring. AFP

Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds watched on in anguish as his Wrexham side conceded deep into stoppage time to draw 3-3 against Championship promotion hopefuls Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney took over the National League side in 2020.

Before the kick-off, Reynolds said that owning the club was "the greatest experience of my life".

He told the BBC: "Genuinely speaking it has been the greatest experience of my entire life.

"This adventure has been unlike anything else. I love it because it's a project that's going to be multi-decades.

"I met a supporter the other day whose grandfather's ashes were scattered across the pitch. I look at this place as like a church."

The actor celebrated the Welsh club's three goals wildly in the stands, but they will need to win a replay to reach the last 16 of the FA Cup for the first time since 1997.

Wrexham could not have got off to a worse start as Oli McBurnie headed the Blades in front after 61 seconds.

Sheffield United look set for a return to the Premier League next season but they were rocked by a pulsating atmosphere inside the Racecourse Ground.

The home side struck twice in 11 minutes early in the second half to turn the tie around as James Jones and Thomas O'Connor scored from set-pieces.

Oli Norwood looked to have ended the Wrexham dream with a composed finish to equalise.

But a red card for Daniel Jebbison for an off-the-ball incident handed the hosts 20 minutes with an extra man to find the winner.

They seemed set for a Hollywood ending when top scorer Paul Mullin steered home in the 86th minute.

However, there was a final late twist in the plot as John Egan forced home a corner in the 95th minute to force a replay.

Man-of-the-match Mullin said: “Very disappointing. Basically, with one of the last kicks of the game to concede from a set-piece. We’re gutted really when we’ve put such hard work into the game and got the goal late on and you think if we can just hold on against the 10 men, then we can get through but it wasn’t to be.

“I thought we deserved to win. I thought we were the better side throughout the game, creating chances, looking dangerous on the break – limited them in open play to not many chances at all.

“But I’m so proud of everyone. We’ve worked really hard to get this far in the competition but we came here thinking we could win against a top side.

“We go to a replay now and try to do it again.”