Wrexham Have Done Something Never Seen Before in League Cup With Reading Win

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac's ownership has become an era of firsts for Wrexham and they made another little slice of history on Tuesday.

Wrexham were dominant winners over Reading in their third round tie in the League Cup but had to wait until the second half to break the deadlock at the Racecourse Ground.

Nathan Broadhead's brace eventually banished the Royals, sending Wrexham into Wednesday's draw for the fourth round.

It's the furthest the Red Dragons have gone in the League Cup since their return to the EFL under Phil Parkinson and the first time they've made it past the third round since 1977-78, when they were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

After beating Hull City on penalties and Preston North End in the previous rounds, many Wrexham fans have their eyes on a possible Premier League test at the end of October.

Phil Parkinson applauds the fans (Image: Cameron Smith / Stringer via Getty)

But there's an increasing chance of an all-Welsh tie thanks to the progress of Cardiff City and Swansea City, who both knocked out top-flight opponents in the third round.

Cardiff won at Burnley and Swansea beat Nottingham Forest in South Wales, taking all three clubs into the fourth round for the first time in the history of the League Cup, which has been played since 1960-61.

Newport County were beaten by Millwall in the first round but Welsh interest in the latter stages of the competition is stronger than ever.

Parkinson went on record with his wish for a tie against Premier League opposition but not all his players agree.

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have backed manager Phil Parkinson this summer (Image: Getty)

Broadhead, a North Walian who joined Wrexham from Ipswich Town in August, fancies a crack at Cardiff.

"My dad supports them," he told The Athletic.

The draw for the fourth round is scheduled to take place around 10.15pm after Port Vale's tie against Arsenal on Wednesday.

Wrexham's history in the League Cup

The Red Dragons reached the quarter-finals in the very first running of the League Cup, losing out to eventual winners Aston Villa.

They went as far as the fourth round in 1976-77, losing at Villa Park again before Villa went on to win the tournament.

A year later they won their fourth round tie at home against Swindon Town but were defeated by Liverpool in the last eight.