Ryan Reynolds sends classy message after Barrow players suffer 'scary' head injuries

Ryan Reynolds sent a classy message to Wrexham’s New Year’s Day opponents, Barrow, after two of their players had to be stretchered off with head injuries in scenes he described as “scary”.

In what was a crucial game near the top of League Two, the Welsh club needed a win to ensure Barrow did not leapfrog them into third place. They did just that as they secured an emphatic 4-1 victory at the Racecourse Ground to open up a four-point lead over the Cumbria-based club.

But not only did Barrow lose the game, midfielders David Worrall and Luca Stephenson were stretched off after suffering head injuries. After the game had come to an end, Wrexham co-owner Reynolds took to social media platform X to comment on the harrowing scenes in the game.

“Great start to ‘24 for @Wrexham_AFC,” the Deadpool star wrote. “Hoping @BarrowAFC players, David Worrall and Luca Stephenson are okay. Scary few minutes there.” The game was stopped twice, first after 10 minutes with Barrow leading 1-0 courtesy of a Kian Spence strike.

Worrall was involved in a nasty clash of heads that resulted in the medical team rushing onto the pitch to assist him. He was treated for 10 minutes before he left the game and was replaced by Liverpool loanee Stephenson. The break favoured the hosts as the momentum of the game shifted.

Veteran forward Steven Fletcher scored nine minutes into injury time to equalise, before Paul Mullin’s free-kick put Wrexham in front two minutes later, before Fletcher scored his second in the closing stages of the first half. After the half-time interval, things went from bad to worse for Barrow as Stephenson, who replaced Worrall, was struck down following a clash of heads, which suspended the game again.

Barrow players David Worrall and Luca Stephenson suffered head injuries and were stretchered off

The game resumed after the 20-year-old left the field, and Barrow tweeted: “Our thoughts are with you Wozza”, though they have yet to post a further update on his condition. Wrexham’s account also sent their best wishes, tweeting: “Our thoughts are with you, David.”

Barrow’s misery was further exacerbated when Fletcher completed his very first hat-trick in his 400th English Football League game in the 67th minute and to put the result beyond any doubt.

The win means Wrexham remains in third spot in League Two – just two points behind leaders Stockport with a game in hand. Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s team will be back in action on January 7 when they travel to face League One side Shrewsbury Town in the third round of the FA Cup.