Wrexham Are Up and Running! Phil Parkinson’s Side Finally Win First Championship Game as Kieffer Moore and Lewis O’Brien Strike Against Millwall Amid Danny Ward Injury Concern

A Night to Remember for the Red Dragons

After weeks of waiting, nail-biting performances, and close calls, Wrexham have finally secured their first victory in the Championship. Phil Parkinson’s men traveled to The Den and left with a priceless three points after a dramatic 2-0 win over Millwall. Goals from Kieffer Moore and Lewis O’Brien sealed the triumph, but the night was not without tension — particularly with goalkeeper Danny Ward’s late injury scare overshadowing the closing stages.

For Wrexham fans, this was the night the dream finally felt real. The Hollywood-backed club, having risen through the ranks in fairytale fashion, proved they belong in England’s fiercely competitive second tier. And while there will be sterner tests ahead, this victory could prove a turning point.

The Context: Wrexham’s Championship Baptism

Coming into this match, Wrexham’s Championship record was underwhelming. Three games, no wins, just a single point on the board. The honeymoon period of promotion was long gone, and the harsh realities of life at this level were beginning to bite.

Parkinson responded by making three key changes from the side that lost narrowly to Sheffield Wednesday. Callum Doyle, Liberato Cacace, and Ryan Hardie were all drafted into the starting XI, injecting fresh legs and energy into a team desperate to prove its worth.

The Red Dragons, however, knew they would be up against it. Millwall, always a formidable opponent at home, were determined to impose themselves physically and test Wrexham’s defensive resilience.

Millwall v Wrexham AFC – Championship

The First Half: Millwall on Top but No Breakthrough

From the opening whistle, it was clear who would dictate the tempo. Millwall dominated possession and pinned Wrexham back into their defensive third. Within the first quarter of an hour, they created a flurry of half-chances, with Ryan Leonard and Luke Cundle orchestrating play and stretching Wrexham’s shape.

Despite the pressure, Parkinson’s side held firm. The backline, marshaled by Doyle and Cleworth, absorbed the barrage of long balls and crosses. Wrexham goalkeeper Danny Ward was called into action several times, showing calm hands under pressure.

But the truth was simple: Millwall were better in the first half. They looked sharper, more composed, and carried the greater threat. The only thing missing was the finishing touch. By halftime, the score remained 0-0 — a minor victory in itself for Wrexham, who had weathered the storm.

The Turning Point: Moore’s Header

Millwall v Wrexham AFC – Championship

Football matches are often decided by single moments of brilliance, and on this occasion, it came just before the hour mark.

In the 58th minute, Max Cleworth produced a moment of audacious quality. Spotting Millwall’s defensive line creeping forward, he clipped a perfectly weighted ball over the top. Rising to meet it was Kieffer Moore, the big Welsh striker already in red-hot form since arriving at the club.

Moore met the ball with a thunderous header, guiding it past Millwall goalkeeper Steven Benda, who had disastrously misjudged the flight. The keeper rushed off his line, missed completely, and left Moore with the simplest of finishes.

The ball hit the back of the net. The away end erupted. Wrexham were in dreamland.

Moore, however, paid a physical price for his goal, clashing with Benda in the process and suffering a bloody nose. But true to form, he carried on, embodying the grit and determination that Wrexham fans have quickly come to love.

Millwall’s Fightback and Wrexham’s Resilience

The goal galvanized Wrexham but also lit a fire under Millwall. The hosts poured forward in waves, desperate to salvage something.

The best chance came in the 75th minute. Luke Cundle threaded a superb ball through for Mihailo Ivanovic, who took on the shot from a tight angle. The rebound fell to Leonard, who whipped a cross into the six-yard box. Somehow, the ball evaded everyone until it fell to Aidomo Emakhu, who launched a side volley from close range.

The away supporters held their breath. The strike flew inches wide. It was, by far, Millwall’s golden chance to equalize.

From then on, it was attack versus defense. Wrexham’s backline — bolstered by the tireless work of McClean and O’Brien in midfield — put their bodies on the line, blocking shots, winning headers, and clearing danger. This was no smash-and-grab; it was a performance of sheer defiance.

Late Drama: Ward’s Injury and O’Brien’s Winner

Just as Wrexham fans were beginning to believe, disaster struck. Goalkeeper Danny Ward collapsed with an injury deep into stoppage time. Medical staff treated him for over ten minutes, creating an anxious atmosphere on the pitch and in the stands. Eventually, Ward was stretchered off, replaced by Arthur Okonkwo for the final moments.

It could have unsettled Wrexham. Instead, they found one more moment of magic. In the 19th minute of stoppage time, veteran James McClean surged down the flank and delivered a perfect cut-back. Arriving late into the box was Lewis O’Brien, who kept his composure and slotted the ball home.

2-0. Game over. The Red Dragons roared in celebration — their first Championship win sealed in the most dramatic fashion possible.

The MVP: Kieffer Moore

Preston North End v Wrexham – Carabao Cup Second Round

It’s hard to look past Kieffer Moore. The towering striker has been a revelation since his arrival, scoring his fourth goal in just three games for the club. His aerial dominance, hold-up play, and knack for being in the right place at the right time have given Wrexham a focal point they desperately needed.

His header not only broke the deadlock but also lifted the belief of an entire team. Moore is fast becoming a talismanic figure — the kind of player who can carry a newly promoted side through difficult moments.

The Big Loser: Steven Benda

For Millwall, goalkeeper Steven Benda endured a nightmare evening. His misjudgment on Cleworth’s chip proved fatal, gifting Moore the chance to score. Goalkeepers live and die by their decision-making, and on this occasion, Benda got it badly wrong.

It was a mistake that set the tone for Millwall’s eventual downfall, and one that will no doubt haunt him when he reflects on the match.

What Comes Next for Wrexham?

For Phil Parkinson and his players, the timing could not be better. With the international break looming, Wrexham have two weeks to regroup, recover, and build on this momentum. Their next fixture, away to QPR on September 13, will offer another stern test, but they head into it with confidence finally restored.

The key concern will be Danny Ward’s fitness. Losing their first-choice goalkeeper would be a major blow, even with Okonkwo ready to step in. All eyes will be on the medical updates in the coming days.

Conclusion: Wrexham’s Championship Journey Truly Begins

It wasn’t perfect. At times, it wasn’t even pretty. But for Wrexham, this night will go down as one of the most important milestones in their modern history.

After three frustrating games without a win, they finally showed the grit, resilience, and quality needed to thrive at this level. Kieffer Moore led from the front, Lewis O’Brien delivered the killer blow, and Phil Parkinson’s men proved they can go toe-to-toe with established Championship sides.

Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney often speak about the script-like nature of Wrexham’s rise. On this evidence, the story is far from finished — and the next chapter could be their most thrilling yet.

Millwall v Wrexham AFC – Championship

Final Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) — A gritty, hard-fought win that owed more to resilience than flair.