Wrexham forwards Nathan Broadhead and Kieffer Moore will meet their former side, Ipswich, a couple of times in the next month after the FA Cup draw.
Recently, Wrexham fans got to know of Dennis Lawrence’s new role at West Bromwich Albion. While definitely happy for their club icon, the Dragons would be hyper-vigilant in the scheduled tie against the Baggies in April.
Getting a chance for a reunion after years, fans and players would take extra care to make it a memorable one. But even before the season’s timeline hits April, Wrexham have a shot at causing another reunion.
Thanks to the 4th round FA Cup draw, the duo of Nathan Broadhead and Kieffer Moore can be lining up against their former side, Ipswich Town.
How was the duo of Broadhead & Moore for Ipswich?
With Wrexham completing a record transfer of Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich, that explains well for his exceptional career there. On the contrary, Kieffer Moore’s time for The Tractor Boys stood limited, but no less effective.
Despite sharing the dugout for just around 4 months, the duo were clinical to Ipswich’s automatic promotion in the 2023/24 campaign.
With Moore coming as a blessing on deadline day, Ipswich got a lethal duo with Broadhead on the wing and Moore spearheading the attack. Combining for 12 goals, the Moore-Broadhead partnership was a hit before their Wrexham days.
In fact, Ipswich might’ve repented for not permanently signing big Kieff past his loan spell, which broke his duo with Broadhead, playing a part in the club’s immediate fall back into the Championship.
Moore & Broadhead would be prepared for an eventful reunion
Unequivocally, Wrexham hit gold by deciding to reunite Kieffer Moore and Nathan Broadhead again. The duo’s performances speak for themselves in how crucial they’ve been for the club’s attack.
Having added 18 goals in all competitions combined, Moore and Broadhead have been the gel in Wrexham’s scoring force.
Again, timely hindrances have arisen, including Moore’s ongoing injury spell, and Parkinson’s previous 3-5-2 system, which compromised Broadhead’s role. But the latest switch to a 3-4-3 with support from Josh Windass maximises Wrexham and Broadhead-Moore’s duo potential.
With more than a month left for the Ipswich game, Wrexham would expect all 3 of Moore, Broadhead and Windass to return to form in full fitness. If that happens, a result better than the last draw is possible where neither Moore nor Broadhead started that game.
What to expect from Wrexham Vs Ipswich FA Cup knockout?
Given Wrexham’s form on one hand and Ipswich’s qualification as the only side among the Championship’s Top-6 on the other, hints at a firecracker contest. With two in-form sides competing, the FA Cup encounter can have implications outside of the competition.
That’s because, within seven days of the knockout, Wrexham and Ipswich meet once again. While an FA Cup win may not have a direct say, a psychological advantage can play a part in the tight promotion battle.
Here’s where Wrexham’s home advantage comes in play. Definitely, Phil Parkinson was very wise to wish for a home tie, and given they’ve got it, the Dragons definitely enjoy an upper hand here.
Apart from Wrexham’s brilliant home form in the Championship season, their track record in Cup competitions has been impressive at the Racecourse. The Dragons have already caused an upset against Ipswich in the 1990s in the FA Cup, and they’ll be the favourites for another one.
So far, Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham have never been knocked out of the FA Cup at home, and Ipswich would need to overturn it to go through. Can the Tractor Boys do it? We’ll see in the soon-coming Valentine’s week.
