Josh Windass reveals why celebration for Wrexham’s winning goal in FA Cup victory over Ipswich Town was muted

Josh Windass appeared to be a little bit dazed after scoring what proved to be the winner against Ipswich Town. Windass fired The Red Dragons into the Emirates FA Cup fifth round on another landmark evening for the north Wales side. Phil Parkinson hailed his side's display on the night, while Robbie Savage reserved some special praise for the Wrexham head coach.

Josh Windass scored the only goal of the game to send Wrexham through to the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in 29 years, after a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town in an all-Championship tie at the Racecourse Ground.

The 32-year-old anticipated Ryan Longman’s delivery into the box with a clinical finish past Tractor Boys goalkeeper Alex Palmer, but celebrated the goal in a rather subdued manner.

One would have expected Windass to celebrate the goal more enthusiastically, but he revealed that he had collided with team-mate Sam Smith’s shoulder upon firing home the winning goal.

Premier League

Summer transfer window 2026: Every Premier League done deal

15 hours ago

He told TNT Sports: "I ran into his shoulder and got dizzy. I ran into Smudger's [Smith] shoulder. Obviously, it's good to get back on the goal trail again.

"When Longy [Ryan Longman] cut inside, I gambled on it coming towards my direction, and luckily it hit me and went in.

"With nights like this, the gaffer mentioned before the game about getting through. It's a long time since the club has done it [progressed to the fifth round], so our main focus is the league, but these nights are nice."

'I ran into his shoulder and got dizzy' - Windass explains unusual muted goal celebration

Video credit: TNT Sports

Manager Phil Parkinson also hailed the achievement by his side and welcomed the prospect of balancing a cup run with a play-off push.

He said: "Very pleased. We said before the game that we had our own opportunity to make a bit of FA Cup history, and to get into the fifth round is great for everybody.

"It's an important cup competition for this football club and we wanted to respect that tonight, and I feel we did with our performance.

• ‘Silly from me’ – Delap hits out at mistake during ‘crazy’ missed chance
• How ‘outstanding’ Neto ended 117-year-old club drought in Chelsea win

"I thought some of the football we played was really good. We contained Ipswich, the pressing was decent.

"They're always going to have a spell in the second half, and we got a little bit loose with the ball ourselves, but we probably didn't have as much control in the second half as the first half; credit to them for that.

"We're in football to win these games and enjoy these nights. We've got the squad to deal with it [fixture build-up].

"We've got players that didn't make the bench tonight, we've got a couple that have come back from injury by the next round, so let's embrace it."

Parkinson ‘very pleased’ after Wrexham create history with Ipswich win

Video credit: TNT Sports

Savage: Parkinson ‘one of the best managers right now’

Robbie Savage waxed lyrical about Parkinson’s achievements in an impressive managerial career, having overseen Wrexham’s rise up the leagues.

Parkinson has been at the helm for their three consecutive promotions from the National League to the Championship and Savage believes the 58-year-old deserves more credit.

He said on TNT Sports: "He’s probably one of the most underestimated managers, because every time Wrexham get promoted or have a Premier League side, people underestimate them and underestimate the manager.

Windass alive to nudge Wrexham ahead against Ipswich

Video credit: TNT Sports

"He has done an unbelievable job with this football club and he's proving people wrong that you can do it against Premier League sides.

"He's done it for Bradford against Chelsea [in the FA Cup in 2015] and he's doing it in the league. Every season they go up: [people say] 'he can't do it at that level' but he's proving everybody wrong.

"I think he's one of the best managers right now because of what he's achieved."

---

Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Football

Ipswich confirm appointment of O'Neil as new manager

23/06/2026 at 17:08

Premier League

Who has the hardest start to the 2026/27 Premier League season?

19/06/2026 at 15:48