WREXHAM, Wales — In a highly anticipated match featuring clubs owned by high-profile celebrities, Wrexham played to a 1-1 draw against Birmingham, who currently sit at the top of the third division. The game, which showcased actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s investment in Wrexham, turned out to be a missed opportunity for the team to close the gap on the leaders. Birmingham, which counts NFL legend Tom Brady among its minority stakeholders, has been enjoying a strong season. The team’s unbeaten streak now stands at 15 matches across all competitions, allowing them to maintain a three-point lead over Wycombe and a five-point cushion ahead of Wrexham in the standings. The top two teams at the end of the season will secure automatic promotion to the Championship, while the next four will fight it out in a playoff for one additional spot.

The action kicked off early when Wrexham’s Oliver Rathbone scored a stunning curling shot just nine minutes into the match at the Racecourse Ground. However, the home team couldn’t hold onto their lead as Birmingham responded quickly. Just nine minutes later, a header from Lyndon Dykes found the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1.

Dubbed the “Hollywood derby” by the British press due to its celebrity ownership, the match saw the absence of the famous proprietors from the sidelines. Despite being miles away in Los Angeles, McElhenney took to social media with a video message for Sky Sports, expressing satisfaction with the draw. “1-1, I’ll take that against Birmingham City. It was probably the best side we’ve played all season,” he remarked, highlighting the strong competition Wrexham faced.

In summary, while the draw at home means Wrexham will have to work harder to achieve their promotion ambitions, the fixtures ahead present a crucial opportunity for both teams as they continue their campaigns in the league.