Wrexham 4-5 Grimsby: Mariners win National League play-off semi-final epic
Who needs the Premier League or Champions League final, eh?
Those were undoubtedly the thoughts of those in attendance at the Racecourse Ground as Grimsby Town beat Wrexham in a dramatic National League play-off semi-final clash.
With Wrexham's Hollywood owner Ryan Reynolds watching from the stands, both teams put in an incredible performance in a match that will go down in history as one of the most entertaining play-off games to ever take place.
The first team to blink on a bright sunny day in Wales were Grimsby, although there was a huge stroke of fortune for Phil Parkinson's side as his charges were awarded a rather fortuitous penalty. Paul Mullin dusted himself off after tumbling in the area to bury the spot-kick, but Wrexham's lead lasted just two minutes as John McAtee fired home a superb equaliser from range.
Pure chaos at the Racecourse Ground! 🤯
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We've seen EIGHT GOALS as @Wrexham_AFC draw level again through Jordan Davies. pic.twitter.com/AMIDC5nRwq
There were no more goals in the first half despite the game being full of life and verve, but things exploded as soon as the second half began.
First, Luke Waterfall punished some ordinary Wrexham defending to put Grimsby ahead before two goals in two minutes for the hosts turned the game on its head.
Ben Tozer rose unchallenged to head home from a corner before Mullin put Wrexham ahead moments later after literally punching the ball into the goal. No VAR on hand, of course.
The inability to defend crosses theme continued as Grimsby levelled the game with 20 minutes remaining, and just when you thought it couldn't get crazier, Mani Dieseruvwe rose highest to, you guessed it, head home from a corner.
4-3 Grimsby and game over? Absolutely not.
Heading straight up the other end, Wrexham won another corner and, well, you know the drill. Jordan Davies rose highest and planted a free header into the top corner. Watch the clip above to see the roof come off the Racecourse.
Extra time ensued and both teams looked out on their feet, but fans were spared penalties with the most dramatic of winners from Waterfall, who bagged his second of the game by nodding in a long throw in the 119th minute.
It means Grimsby will face the winners of Solihull Moors and Chesterfield in the final at London Stadium on 5 June.