MARK HOWARD may be on hand to give Paul Mullin some goalscoring tips when Wrexham’s players return for pre-season training!

Experienced Howard is well-known for his shot-stopping capabilities, but the keeper demonstrated he also has an eye for goal as the Wrexham Red Dragons made it through to the last-16 of The Soccer Tournament in Cary, North Carolina.

Howard grabbed the Target Score Time winner as the Red Dragons beat Socceroof 6-0 to progress to the last-16.

This followed his goal, coupled with a string of fine saves, as the team booked their spot in the knockout stages with a comeback win against one of the pre-tournament favourites, Desimpedidos.

Wrexham Red Dragons advance to the knockout rounds as they recovering from an opening defeat FC Roha Eagles to finish second behind the Eagles in Group F.

Trailing 2-0 early on, former Premier League ace George Boyd grabbed the Red Dragons’ first goal of this year’s tournament to pull one back, after ex-Celtic man Gary Hooper had earlier missed a penalty. Roha Eagles restored their two-goal advantage, but Hooper made amends for his penalty miss when he deflected player-coach David Jones’ free-kick in to make it 3-2 going into Target Score Time.

Wrexham looked to have the advantage when former Honduran international Roger Espinoza was pulled to the ground as he counter-attacked, resulting in an Roha red card for a professional foul. But the Eagles’ next attack ended with the ball deflecting in for the match-winning goal.

The next match was against Cruz Beckham’s Saturdays Football, who had won their opening game.

Howard made some vital blocks to keep the game goalless through Target Score Time, while Wrexham sealed victory when Espinoza and Hooper set up Boyd for the key strike.

With all four teams in Group F tied on one win and one loss after the opening day, the Red Dragons knew a win against Desimpedidos would seal a place in the knock-outs.

Wrexham trailed 2-0, with Boyd pulling a goal back for Wrexham in the first-half. A goalless second-half followed, before one of the most memorable Target Score Time periods of the tournament so far.

As well as making a string of fine saves, including an acrobatic one with his feet as he was nearly left wrong-footed by a scuffed shot, Howard then advanced forward and drove a cool finish into the bottom corner to level the score.

With players being removed from each side per the tournament rules, Wrexham eschewed Howard in favour of a sweeper keeper, Boyd taking up the mantle. As the game became two versus two, the Red Dragons won it with Boyd’s clever turn and low finish.

Wrexham dominated in their win over Socceroof in the last-32. Elliott Bennett (2), Jake Bickerstaff, David Jones and Boyd joined Howard on the scoresheet.

However, Wrexham’s journey ended in defeat to Reggae Rovers in the next stage.