PREVIEW | Wrexham AFC vs Aberystwyth Town

Déjà vu all over again.

30 March 2024

Four days after clashing on the west coast, these familiar foes face each other again for a fourth and final time this season.

THE WREXHAM ANGLE

Wednesday's 2-0 win at Park Avenue secured third place for Wrexham, a magnificent achievement for the club in our first season in the top flight. The level of control exhibited in the second half was as pleasing as the attacking threat shown in the first, as Steve Dale's side illustrated a maturity which has developed throughout this campaign.

The box midfield Dale has deployed in phase 2 of the season continued to develop promisingly, with Brooke Cairns and Annie Small, in her first start for the club, combining superbly either side of Rosie Hughes.

With two league games remaining, it's inevitable that selections will take into consideration the importance of getting players ready for the Welsh Cup final. TJ Dickens continued her returen for injury with an impressive stint off the bench at Park Avenue, and Liv Fuller was able to play a half just 3 days after completing a full 90 against Swansea.

LAST TIME WE MET

THE VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE

Ex-Wrexham goalkeeper Anthony Williams is a busy man at the moment: he's manager of the Aberystwyth men's team, but is also interim boss of the women's side! This remarkable state of affairs came about in January when Town legend Gavin Allen was appointed manager of Pontypridd United's men's team. Incredibly, he expected to be able to carry out both roles, but the Aberystwyth board naturally disagreed!

There were definite positives for him to take away from Wednesday's loss to Wrexham. Elan Jones made her first start since suffering an ACL injury 18 months ago, while Ella Thomas followed up her debut against Cardiff last Sunday with a lively performance on the flanks: Town's main threat came from the pace of Thomas and Lleucu Mathias on the flanks.

Despite the defeat, Imogen Scourfield caught the eye, playing the first half at centre back before stepping up into a defensive midfield position after the break. She made her Wales Under-21 debut against Czechia last October and has just been named in the squad for their European Championship qualifiers in April. She told Cambrian News:

“It was another dream come true. It’s crazy to think how much I’ve grown in my footballing career especially over the last two years.

“It’s been a whirl wind of a season with Aber which I’m so appreciative of.

“However, I would like to thank Haverfordwest Academy in particular as they were a team who believed in me no matter what and they were the ones who started my journey and who gave me opportunities.”

Town Under-19s manager Roy Tourle is also delighted with Scourfield’s progress: “It’s fantastic for the club. It goes to show our development programme works.

“She’s done brilliantly in the last couple of years. She’s just gone from strength to strength. It’s a testament to her and her desire to want to play. We’re so proud of her.”

Match Reports

REPORT | Wrexham AFC 3-0 Aberystwyth Town

Red Dragons claim dominant win in final home game of 2023/24 campaign

31 March 2024

Wrexham AFC claimed back-to-back wins for the first time in Phase Two, as the Red Dragons recorded a 3-0 victory in their final game at the Rock this season.

TJ Dickens opened the scoring with a fine free-kick from distance which wasn’t too dissimilar to her famous goal at the STōK Cae Ras against Connah’s Quay Nomads.

Amber Lightfoot then doubled Wrexham’s lead, as she fired home from Lili Jones’ cross to give Steve Dale’s side a deserved second goal.

Rebecca Pritchard then rounded off the hosts victory, scoring her third goal of the season, unleashing a brilliant half-volley from 20-yards-out to put Wrexham out of sight.

Steve Dale named four changes to the side that faced Aberystwyth Town earlier this week on Wednesday, as Ava Suckley, Amber Lightfoot, TJ Dickens and Erin Lovett all came into the Starting XI.

Phoebe Davies was rested for the fixture, with a yellow card enough for suspension which would’ve meant missing out on next Sunday’s match against Cardiff City.

Wrexham started strongly, with Suckley trying her luck from distance just four minutes into the match, as the Red Dragons looked to build on their mid-week victory over the Seasiders.

Soon enough though, the deadlock was broken in North Wales.

TJ Dickens stepped up to take a free kick in the ninth minute, and her effort was fantastic - looping over Margot Farnes from a considerable distance to give Wrexham an early lead.

Just nine minutes later, Lightfoot, who also returned into the line-up, doubled the advantage as she was in the right place to fire Lili Jones’ cross directly into the top-right corner.

Rosie Hughes was the next to try and extend the hosts’ lead, as she latched onto a deflected pass and drove into space, but her effort was hit awkwardly and ended up wide of the post.

Despite Wrexham’s efforts, the visitors defended well until the interval, forcing Steve Dale’s side to settle for a two-goal lead at the break.

Wrexham then continued their battle against the Seasiders, and despite having to defend a spell from pressure against the visitors, Wrexham continued to dominate proceedings at the Rock.

Pritchard - who scored the Red Dragons’ first goal of the season - scored Wrexham’s third to bring it full circle, scoring the hosts third goal of the afternoon.

The winger, who has moved into a wing-back role since Phase Two started, then smashed home a fantastic half-volley in the 57th minute from 20-yards-out leaving Farnes with no chance.

Dale’s side then remained solid in the remaining 30 minutes, wrapping up back-to-back victories in the space of four days to conclude their final home match in style.

Wrexham AFC: Morgan, Allen (Sharp 46'), Fuller (Gibbard 62'), Lovett, Pritchard, L. Jones, Dickens, Lightfoot, Cairns (C. Jones 71') , Suckley (Small 62'), Hughes.

Subs not used: Bolland.

Aberystwyth Town: Farnes, R. Mathias, Elin Jones, Thomas, Isaac, Elan Jones, Moralee-Hughes, Scourfield, Jenkins (C), Gwynne, L. Mathias.