Wrexham’s pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand began impressively with a 3-0 victory over Melbourne Victory, the previous season’s A-League grand final runners-up.
Tom O’Connor, debutant Ryan Hardie, and George Evans all scored at the Marvel Stadium as Phil Parkinson’s team started their tour Down Under in dominant fashion.
The match started evenly, with Arthur Okonkwo denying Clarismario Santos and Zinédine Machach with saves.
At the other end, Jack Duncan stretched to tip over Dan Scarr’s header before Seb Revan’s volley hit the side netting.
As the first half progressed, Wrexham grew into the game, and Duncan made a fingertip save to deny Max Cleworth’s acrobatic effort.
Wrexham’s pressure paid off just before halftime when O’Connor fired home after Duncan punched a clearance.
Summer signings Ryan Hardie and Danny Ward, joining from Plymouth Argyle and Leicester City respectively, both featured in the second half as Parkinson made numerous substitutions.
Melbourne Victory almost equalized immediately after the break, but Louis D’Arrigo’s powerful shot hit the crossbar.
Wrexham nearly doubled their advantage when Harry Ashfield headed James McClean’s cross against the frame of the goal around the hour mark.
The score became 2-0 in the 67th minute when Ryan Barnett’s cross was turned in by Hardie for his first Wrexham goal.
The Welsh side completed their comfortable victory as Evans’ long-range shot slipped under substitute goalkeeper Daniel Graskoski late in the game.
Next, Wrexham will play Sydney FC at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday, July 15th (10:30 BST), before concluding their tour against Wellington Phoenix at the Sky Stadium on Saturday, July 19th (06:30 BST).
Parkinson’s team begins their 2025-26 Championship season away against Southampton on Saturday, August 9th (12:30 BST).
Their first home league game of the new season will be against West Bromwich Albion a week later (12:30 BST).
