Harambee Stars defender Zak Vyner suffers defeat with Wrexham in EFL Championship
By Joel Masibo, August 29, 2026Harambee Stars’ defender Zak Vyner was named in the starting lineup as his side Wrexham AFC were beaten for the first time in the EFL Championship this season, after Birmingham City secured a 2-1 victory at the Racecourse Ground on Friday night, August 28, 2026.
Phil Parkinson made one alteration to the side that drew with Watford last week, handing new signing Jacques Ekomié his first start in place of George Thomason in the wing-back role.
Birmingham arrived in North Wales looking to respond after being eliminated from the EFL Cup in midweek by Premier League outfit Brentford.
The visitors made the stronger start and were rewarded in the 13th minute when Phil Neumann rose above the Wrexham defence to power a header into the net from a corner.
Wrexham gradually found their rhythm and came close to levelling before the interval. Danny Imray Jr. raced onto a pass from Ollie Rathbone before unleashing a fierce low effort, but Birmingham goalkeeper James Beadle produced an excellent save to preserve his side’s advantage.
The visitors had also threatened earlier when Alex Cochrane got on the end of a close-range opportunity, only for Ollie Rathbone to clear the ball off the line.
Birmingham nearly added a second in the 23rd minute. Demarai Gray picked out August Priske with a well-weighted pass, and Priske’s lay-off presented Jay Stansfield with an opening. However, Stansfield’s attempt flew narrowly past the near post.
Wrexham level after the break
Wrexham returned from the interval with greater intensity and eventually found an equaliser nine minutes into the second half.
Lewis O’Brien delivered an excellent in-swinging cross into the danger area, where Callum Doyle had timed his movement perfectly. The defender met the delivery and sent a powerful finish beyond Beadle to make it 1-1.
The home side continued to push forward as they searched for a second goal. Kieffer Moore came close after brilliantly creating space for himself, but his strike ended up in the side netting.
Despite Wrexham’s dominance during that spell, Birmingham regained the advantage in the 65th minute.
Moore’s clearance fell back towards the visitors, with Priske quickly returning the ball into the area. Neumann reacted quickest and produced another well-placed header into the far corner, completing his brace and putting Birmingham back in front.
Parkinson responded with a series of substitutions as Wrexham attempted to rescue a point.
Issa Kaboré also made his return to the Racecourse Ground after completing a permanent move this week following his previous loan spell from Manchester City. The defender immediately made an impact, delivering a dangerous cross towards Moore.
Moore headed the ball across goal and Sam Smith was close to converting, but Beadle managed to prevent the effort from crossing the line.
Wrexham continued searching for an equaliser but could not break through Birmingham’s defence in the closing stages.
The defeat leaves Parkinson’s side still searching for their first league victory of the campaign, with their next opportunity coming away to Millwall next week.
Key match details
Wrexham AFC
Patterson, Doyle, Ekomié (Longman 71′), Hyam (C), Whiteman, Moore (Cadamarteri 79′), Rathbone (Smith 71′), Vyner, O’Brien, Imray (Kaboré 71′), Broadhead (Windass 71′).
Unused substitutes: Ward, Cleworth, Scarr, M. James.
Yellow card: Cadamarteri 90+3′ (foul tackle).
Birmingham City
Beadle, Klarer (C), Neumann, Vincente (Fry 90′), Priske (Vazquez 90′), Gray (Roberts HT), Solis, Cochrane, Iwata, Osayi-Samuel (Laird 90′), Stansfield (Seung-Ho 74′).
Unused substitutes: Allsop, Wright, Lund, Ducksch.
Yellow card: Cochrane 15′ (simulation).
Attendance: 10,536, including 1,267 travelling Birmingham supporters.