Moore and Windass Fire Wrexham to Thrilling Eight-Goal Victory
Key Takeaways
- Wrexham secured a dramatic 5-3 victory over Sheffield United in a thrilling encounter
- Kieffer Moore's brace and Josh Windass's penalty sealed the comeback at STōK Cae Ras
- Patrick Bamford's early double had Sheffield United ahead before Wrexham's second-half surge
- George Thomason provided two assists from set pieces in the entertaining Championship clash
WREXHAM, WALES, ENGLAND — Wrexham secured a pulsating 5-3 victory over Sheffield United at STōK Cae Ras, overcoming an early deficit to claim three vital Championship points in an eight-goal thriller that showcased attacking football at its finest.
Patrick Bamford threatened to steal the show with a clinical first-half double. The Sheffield United striker opened the scoring in the seventh minute, converting Femi Seriki's cross with a composed left-footed finish to the bottom left corner. Just eight minutes later, Bamford struck again, this time from very close range after another dangerous Seriki delivery. Tyler Bindon's unfortunate own goal in the ninth minute briefly gave Wrexham hope, but Callum O'Hare's close-range header in the 24th minute restored Sheffield United's two-goal cushion.
The tide turned dramatically after the interval. George Thomason emerged as Wrexham's creative catalyst, delivering a pinpoint cross in the 28th minute that Kieffer Moore powered home with a header from very close range following a corner. Ryan Longman brought Wrexham level in the 51st minute, nodding home another Thomason cross from point-blank range to complete the comeback. Moore struck his second in the 76th minute, rifling a right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal after Nathan Broadhead threaded a sublime through ball. Josh Windass sealed the remarkable turnaround in the 81st minute, converting a penalty with a right-footed strike to the bottom right corner after George Thomason was fouled by Tyler Bindon, who received a yellow card for the infringement.
The teams shared possession almost equally at 53.8%-46.2%, but Wrexham's attacking intent proved decisive as they registered 18 shots compared to Sheffield United's 13. Arthur Okonkwo made four crucial saves for the hosts, while Michael Cooper was called into action three times at the other end. The shot accuracy told its own story, with Wrexham converting eight of their efforts on target and Sheffield United managing seven.
The turning point arrived midway through the second half when Wrexham's relentless pressure finally broke Sheffield United's resistance. Moore's second goal in the 76th minute shifted momentum irreversibly, and Tyrese Campbell's stoppage-time effort that struck the bar in the 90th minute summed up the visitors' frustration. Ben Sheaf and Matty James controlled the midfield battle for Wrexham, while Dominic Hyam and Max Cleworth stood firm defensively despite the early onslaught. Gustavo Hamer picked up a yellow card for Sheffield United in the 65th minute as frustrations mounted, while Ryan Longman saw yellow for the hosts two minutes later in what became a fiercely contested encounter.
Looking ahead, Wrexham will host Preston North End on December 29, while Sheffield United travel to face Stoke City on the same day.