VAR brings cruel dose of reality to Wrexham

There is an irony that the club that welcomed the cameras to Wrexham was denied by them.

As film star owners watched on, it was a video screen that brought a cruel dose of reality to a fantastic FA Cup tie and ensured Chelsea avoided a humbling fifth-round exit.

The Cae Ras has a storied history in its 162 years, but this was the first time the video assistant referee (VAR) has been in operation in the oldest international ground in world football.

Its first scene was to turn George Dobson's card from a yellow into a red, leaving the Championship hosts with 10 men and Chelsea off the hook going into extra time.

Its second was to rule out a Wrexham equaliser that would have taken the game to penalties, Lewis Brunt inches offside as he connected with Kieffer Moore's header on the line.

"We had the highs and lows in such a short space of time and fell the wrong side of it [VAR]," said striker Sam Smith, whose opener was the early warning that Chelsea were in for a night of it in north Wales.

"It was our first experience of it and hopefully it's our last until next season."

It will be a situation Wrexham will have to get used to should they turn play-off promise into a fourth straight promotion and book regular visits from Premier League opponents.

For now, though, manager Phil Parkinson could only rue the refusal of the officials to read the script.

"Without VAR we don't get a player sent off and that goal certainly stands so it's against us tonight," said Parkinson, with his ire more aimed at the Dobson decision for a foul on Alejandro Garnacho.

"It's my first taste of it and I know the rule is that is has to be a clear and obvious mistake for the decision to be changed - and I think the referee's got to back his judgement of the real time, instant moment. He was in a great position to see it."

Being denied a level playing field when trying to bridge the Premier League gap was one thing, but being denied the chance for penalties was another.

Pundit Micah Richards told Match of the Day that "you don't want to see goals being ruled out like that, we are talking inches".

Parkinson was more accepting of the decision, refusing to blame Brunt for his instinctive goalline touch and suggesting Moore's header would have hit the post.

He was adamant, too, that his side's bid for a place in the Premier League will not be affected by the disappointment.

"I've said this before, just not to as many people," said Parkinson, referring to the media attendance that trebled with the game being televised in 75 countries around the world with the global fascination of Wrexham very much a reality.

"But I always want my team and their performance to reflect the town, so people know what Wrexham are all about.

"We did that tonight and that's very important."

The spotlight is also on what might be needed if Wrexham do get there with defender Zak Vyner speaking of 11 cup games remaining as the Championship season reaches its climax.

Because, if this was a screen test for what could come for the team who were still playing non-league this time three years ago, they suggested they have what it takes to compete against Premier League sides. For the record, fans were watching them play Dagenham on this night in 2023.

Chief executive Michael Williamson spoke of this game - and the third-round win over Nottingham Forest before it - being tests of Wrexham's readiness to make the step up in terms of the team and the club's infrastructure.

And director Humphrey Ker told the BBC: "It has been an extraordinary journey.

"We needed to get players in to continue to help gelling this team into a promotion contending squad. We are dreaming big."

While they have spent well in recent years, Parkinson reminded us that there is "a huge gulf between spending power in the Premier League to the Championship" and that - for all the Hollywood attention - Wrexham might struggle to compete financially.

After more than competing on the pitch in this cup tie, the focus of Wrexham's cameras now turn to a crucial game against fifth-placed Hull City and a Welsh derby with Swansea City.

They will just be pleased there will be no VAR.