Wrexham are one win away from a trip to Wembley after they earned a narrow victory over Bolton Wanderers in the quarterfinals of the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
Andy Cannon’s 70th-minute goal proved decisive at the STōK Cae Ras as Wrexham booked their place in the last four where the Welsh club will face off against fellow League One club Peterborough United.
Birmingham City, who count legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady as one of their investors, will play fourth-tier Bradford City in the other semifinal.
Wrexham had goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo to thank for the match remaining goalless at the half. He was first called into action after 11 minutes as he denied Josh Dacres-Cogley with a smart stop and again on the verge of halftime as he stretched to keep Josh Sheehan’s effort out.
A quadruple change from Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson shortly after the hour mark seemed to swing the game in his team’s favour. Cannon put the hosts ahead seven minutes later with a precise finish into the bottom right corner from outside the box.
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One of Parkinson’s substitutes, club-record signing Sam Smith, went close to doubling Wrexham’s lead but his shot from an awkward angle was well saved by Bolton goalkeeper Nathan Baxter.
Despite their almost 60% share of possession, Bolton couldn’t find a way beyond Wrexham’s determined defence in the closing stages. John McAtee came closest when he struck the right-hand post with a shot from a difficult angle on the left.
Wrexham last won the EFL trophy in 2005 via a 2-0 win over Southend United at the the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ side will face Peterborough the week commencing Feb. 24
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