Wrexham A.F.C. manager Phil Parkinson has spoken of his pride in former player Andy Cannon after his penalty helped Fleetwood Town stun Arsenal in the League Cup. Cannon, who left the Racecourse last summer, came off the bench to score in a 5-3 shootout win following a 1-1 draw at Highbury Stadium, sending the lower-league side into the quarter-finals.
Parkinson said he was genuinely pleased to see the 30-year-old midfielder play a key role in such a significant result. He highlighted how a serious knee injury suffered in February 2025 had derailed Cannon's Wrexham career, ultimately leading to his release. The manager praised Cannon's character, noting he was a real part of the team whether he was in the starting eleven or not, and loved his football ability and support from the dressing room.
Cannon joined Fleetwood on a three-year deal after his Wrexham departure and was key in the club's three promotions under Parkinson. His successful spot-kick was part of a dramatic underdog triumph for Fleetwood, with boss Matt Lawlor describing the victory as 'mental' given the gulf in resources between the clubs. Teenager Conor Haughey scored the decisive penalty to complete the upset.
Parkinson's focus now returns to Wrexham's own campaign, with the club sitting 17th in the Championship on 14 points after 12 games. Their form has been mixed, with two wins, a draw and two defeats in their last five outings, a sequence that includes a 4-1 win over Preston and a 2-0 loss at Blackburn last Friday. They face a trip to Sheffield United, who are 12th, this Friday night. The squad continues to deal with several absentees, including top scorer Kieffer Moore who has five goals this season.
First reported at Wrexham and Flintshire News, Sport, Events | The Leader
