Danny Ward started Wrexham’s game against Sydney FC on Tuesday, playing the first hour before Phil Parkinson made wholesale changes.
Wrexham continued their pre-season preparations on Tuesday, and their pre-season tour of Australia, with a game against Sydney FC.
But Wrexham lost 2-1 against Sydney FC in the end, despite taking the lead through an own goal, in what was a rather frustrating outing for Phil Parkinson’s side.
There were plenty of absentees from the side and with no real explanation: Sam Smith being the main one with fans wondering just where he is after he missed the opener against Melbourne Victory as well.
Danny Ward makes his first start for Wrexham
So far this summer, two new players have arrived at the Racecourse in Ryan Hardie and Danny Ward. Wrexham signed Ward on a free transfer from Leicester City and the Wrexham-born Wales international made his first start for the Dragons on Tuesday.
He played an hour until Parkinson made 10 changes to the side, with Callum Burton coming on in place of the 32-year-old Ward.
Ward conceded once in the game, getting down well to save a headed effort but then putting the ball straight into the path of Alexandar Popovic who scored the first for Sydney FC.
Wrexham fans have mixed feelings about Danny Ward after Sydney FC defeat
Posting online, Wrexham fans gave mixed verdicts about Ward. “Danny is definitely a good signing,” said one supporter, as another added: “Thought Ward looked solid.”
Posting about Sydney’s opener, one fan said: “Great initial save from Ward.” But other think he could’ve done better: “Great save from Ward but he needs to push the ball away from danger.”
A lengthier post read: “That’s classic Daniel Ward. Great save, but palms it back into danger. If he’d have spent his career actually playing he’d have developed that push away from danger a bit more by now.”
Wrexham finish their pre-season tour down under with a game against Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand on the 19th.