Wrexham were beaten 2-1 by Sydney FC on Tuesday morning as Danny Ward made his first start since returning to the club.
Wrexham’s pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand continued on Tuesday with a trip to face Sydney FC.
Phil Parkinson watched on as Wrexham beat Melbourne Victory on Friday, but he tasted defeat this time around.
Wrexham took the lead against Sydney FC, with an own goal from a James McClean free kick breaking the deadlock.
Alexandar Popovic levelled it up from close range before teenager Joe Lacey curled home the winner.
Wrexham fell to a 2-1 defeat against Sydney FC, but still have one more game to play on this tour, facing Wellington Phoenix this weekend.
Danny Ward on Wrexham appearance
Parkinson named a strong starting XI to begin the game, and then made a raft of changes around the hour mark.
Fitness is the focus here, rather than results or performances, while Parkinson is looking to bring his new faces into the squad.
Ryan Hardie scored against Melbourne Victory, but missed Tuesday’s defeat through injury.
Danny Ward was in the starting XI, though, as the goalkeeper made his first start for Wrexham since rejoining this summer.
Ward completed his Wrexham return after leaving Leicester City and came in for Arthur Okonkwo on Tuesday morning.
The Welsh international couldn’t mark the occasion with a clean sheet, but he was delighted to start for the first time since his move.
Ward admitted that it was ‘surreal’ to be starting for Wrexham, especially with the club in a completely different place compared to when he departed in 2012.
Ward praised a ‘brilliant occasion’ in Sydney and feels a sense of pride as 40,000 fans turned up to watch Wrexham in action.
“It’s a lot different surroundings to where I would have been a long time ago,” said Ward.
“It’s a really good feeling, a really good feeling. It feels like it’s been a long time coming, and it’s very surreal. The club I left a long time ago has completely changed now.
“Coming to an arena like this, the other side of the world and drawing a crowd of over 40,000, being a part of that… I think it was a brilliant occasion and I’m really proud about it,” he added.
Danny Ward on Wrexham support in Australia
Wrexham’s time in Australia is now coming to an end, with New Zealand the next destination.
Wrexham have been well-supported Down Under and will hope to see plenty of fans turn up against Wellington Phoenix this weekend.
Ward was asked about the support he has seen, with the goalkeeper raving about how Australians have welcomed Wrexham over the last 10 days.
Ward noted that the support for Wrexham has been ‘top’, and he still finds the club’s pulling power on the other side of the world ‘surreal’ and ‘incredible’, having departed Wrexham in non-league.
“We’ve been really well-welcomed everywhere we’ve been, whether that be in and around the city, at training sessions or coming to games like this, to draw that amount of people to come and watch the game is top, it’s so good,” said Ward.
“It helps the boys as well. I just find it surreal to come away with Wrexham and have the draw that we have nowadays, I think it’s incredible,” he added.
Wrexham now move on to Wellington Phoenix this weekend, before heading back to North Wales to continue preparations for the Championship season.