PREVIEW | Wrexham AFC vs Briton Ferry

It's déjà vu all over again

9 December 2023

It feels like we've been here before!

Just a week ago we were primed for a mouth-watering double header as our ultimate opponents from last season, Briton Ferry, prepared to travel north to do battle in the second and third installments of an epic rivalry.

Sadly, a frozen pitch put paid to last Sunday's Genero Adran Trophy match, which would have served as an appetiser for today's massive Welsh Cup tie. The extra week off might offer Steve Dale the opportunity to bring back some of his injured players, with his defence particularly hit hard in recent weeks.

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LAST TIME WE MET

THE VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE

Statistics can be misleading, but there's no doubting that Briton Ferry's record so far is a fair reflection of how this season has been going: P 9 W9 F47 A2! They are, unsurprisingly, top of the Adran South despite having games in hand on their nearest competitors.

Leading the charge up front is Alison Witts, who has already struck 18 goals this season including 3 hat tricks. She got a late goal to clinch a 1-0 victory over Caldicott Town in the last match, which propelled Briton Ferry to the top of the table.

Ferry have managed to keep last season's squad together, and made a major acquisition when they tempted Witts to step down from the top division to join them in the Summer. She scored the goal which clinched last season's conference plate for Pontypridd, and has Champions League experience from her time at Swansea City

Despite Ferry's relentless progress, the last two matches have offered one small suggestion of vulnerability: they are the only games so far this season where they have only won by one goal, and on each occasion the winner came in the last 10 minutes. Indeed, Pontardawe Town even had the audacity to hold the lead over them in their recent local derby, but eventually succumbed to an 84th minute Fleur Jenkins strike.

THE OTHER QUARTER FINALS

The New Saints v Aberystwyth Town

Pontypridd United v Cardiff City

Cascade YC v Swansea City

While we slug it out for a place in the semi-finals, the clubs either side of us at the top of the Genero Adran Premier will fancy their chances of progressing despite being drawn away. Pontypridd are yet to register a point in the top tier, so Cardiff will expect to see them off; Swansea have a tougher task as they travel to Cascade, who looked to push Briton Ferry at the top of the Adran South last season.

Match Reports

REPORT | Wrexham AFC 2-0 Briton Ferry

Red Dragons into Bute Energy Welsh Cup semi-finals

10 December 2023

Wrexham AFC progressed to the Bute Energy Welsh Cup semi-finals, after goals from Rosie Hughes and Libby Mackenzie led Wrexham to a 2-0 win over Briton Ferry.

Steve Dale made two changes to the side who faced Swansea last month, with captain Keren Allen returning from injury while Rosie Hughes returned from suspension.

It’s a match that needed no introduction to neither Wrexham nor Briton Ferry, with Dale’s side having gained promotion to the Genero Adran Premier in last April’s play-off final against Rhys James’ side.

The Red Dragons started the match strongly, intent on gaining an early advantage in the match with both sides ferociously challenging in the opening stages with some stern challenges.

Amber Lightfoot recorded Wrexham’s first opportunity of the afternoon, with the hosts taking initiative to play on the front-foot. Lightfoot did well to get into position, but her early effort after just four minutes was saved by Courtney Young.

Rosie Hughes, who came on from the bench in the last round of the competition was fired-up given her absence from the team over the past few weeks.

Hughes wasted no time in her pursuit of an early goal, making an excellent run - only to be denied by a brilliant last ditch challenge from Lowri Ridings in the 15th minute.

Wrexham’s number nine switched her focus from goalscoring for a split second, playing Mari Gibbard through, but the midfielder couldn’t keep her effort down and it drifted over the bar.

The hosts came out full of inspiration in the second half, determined to not let the visitors gain any advantage in a tightly-contested match.

It didn’t take long for Dale’s side to gain the lead, as Hughes, who looked dangerous all game, latched onto Gibbard's pass and recorded the opener with 47 minutes played.

As the game went on, Dale’s side continued to create opportunities but it was looking increasingly unlikely that they could double their advantage with Briton Ferry putting everything on the line to stay in the game.

With time running out, Wrexham doubled their advantage in the nick of time to capitalise on a period of sustained pressure from the hosts.

Hughes, Lightfoot and Carra Jones all had efforts blocked in the 71st minute, Libby Mackenzie was determined not to let the opportunity pass and on what seemed to be her third attempt, fired into the back of the net to score a vital goal.

Following Mackenzie’s goal, Wrexham defended resolutely and claimed a well-deserved spot in the last four of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup.

Wrexham AFC: Morgan (GK), Pritchard, Allen (C), Doran, Davies (Sharp 84'), Dickens, L. Jones (Mackenzie 46'), Gibbard, C. Jones (Whitefoot 89'), Lightfoot (Suckley 77'), Hughes.

Subs not used: Bolland (GK).