Lauren Reese’s third goal in two games could not spark a Wrexham comeback, as Luke Wynne’s side slipped to a 4-1 defeat against a strong Airbus UK Women side at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.
The scoreline was a touch harsh on Wrexham, who enjoyed some good spells, but the hosts were in ruthless form in front of goal – punishing the visitors by converting every chance that fell their way.
In fact, Wrexham had started the game on top as they looked to build on the 3-1 comeback win against NFA in their opening game.
They failed to make their sustained possession in the Airbus half count, however, and the hosts took full advantage to break the deadlock on 20 minutes.
A loose ball in the Wrexham half eventually broke for an Airbus striker, who lofted the ball over the onrushing Kat Jones to break the deadlock.
Wrexham then lost striker Carmen Reyes to injury, with the striker suffering a nasty knee injury following a collision – Tiffany Sands eventually replacing her with ten minutes of the half remaining.
Reese took the free-kick, but the Airbus wall was equal to her attempted low effort to block her driven shot and clear.
Another quick Airbus counter-attack then saw the hosts double their lead.
The striker rounded the onrushing Jones and, despite pressure from Wrexham’s trialist defender, was able to slide the ball into the empty net.
Wrexham continued to create chances of their own, and new signing Libby Mackenzie released Katie Sharp behind the defence at the end of the first-half, but her pull-back was cleared.
Two-down at half-time, Luke Wynne used the break to rotate the squad and make significant tactical changes too.
Shannon Owen, Megan Buckley and Amy Davies all came on, with Jodie Davis, Phoebe Rintoul and Amy Glendenning making way. Kat Jones also made way for Wrexham’s trialist goalkeeper.
Like the first-half, Wrexham started with possession in the Airbus half. Once again, however, a loose pass in defence proved costly.
Just five minutes after the restart, Airbus added their third after pouncing on a loose ball in the attacking half. The initial effort smashed against the post, but the rebound was tucked in by a well-positioned Airbus attacker.
On 56 minutes, it was 4-0 with the pick of the goals – a powerful shot from outside the Wrexham area flying beyond the visiting keeper.
Lauren Reese got the goal Wrexham’s own performance deserved on the 65-minute mark, however. She found space on the edge of the Airbus box and unleashed a shot which – though initially on target anyway – took a wicked deflection and looped high over the Airbus keeper and in.
Wrexham then finished brightly, and Kim Dutton struck a sweet free-kick from the edge of the box on 69 minutes, which forced the Airbus keeper high to her right to make an excellent save.
A frantic goalmouth scramble then ensued, and twice Wrexham had shots blocked – Reese’s final shot being cleared off the Airbus line.
Reese then forced another save from the Airbus keeper on 80 minutes – some tricky footwork along the Airbus byline allowing her to get a shot away from an acute angle.
Under pressure from a defender, Mackenzie then hit a shot from 20 yards in the final moments but Wrexham could not make further inroads into Airbus’ lead.
It means a first defeat of pre-season for Wrexham, who are next in action in seven days time when they travel to take on Northop Hall Ladies.
Team: Wrexham: Kat Jones (Trialist B 46), Phoebe Rintoul (Amy Davies 46), Trialist A, Abby Hughes, Jodie Davis (Shannon Owen 46), Kim Dutton, Libby Mackenzie, Lauren Reese, Katie Sharp, Carmen Reyes (Tiffany Sands 35), Amy Glendenning (Megan Buckley 46)