Wrexham AFC Women go in search of another major cup upset when they take on Aberystwyth Town Ladies in the FAW Women’s Cup quarter-finals on Sunday (December 19).
Due to the frozen conditions at Ponciau Banks, the match will take place at Colliers Park, and kicks off at 2pm. The game will take place behind closed doors due to restrictions at the venue.
This is Wrexham’s third match against Genero Adran Premier opposition this season, having already overcome TNS in the previous round of this competition, and Abergavenny in the Genero Adran Trophy.
It is the first of two meetings between Wrexham and Aber, with the sides due to meet again in the Adran Trophy quarter-finals on Sunday January 9.
Match preview
Wrexham remain unbeaten so far this season – top of the Genero Adran North and into the quarter-finals of both the FAW Women’s Cup and Genero Adran Trophy.
They now face their toughest test of the season so far, against a team sat sixth in the top flight.
With the weather meaning home advantage has been lost, and likewise the backing of the Wrexham faithful, Steve Dale’s side know the magnitude of the task in front of them.
However, the manager and players have previously confessed confidence is running high and they are eager to test their mettle against top-flight opposition once more.
Rebecca Pritchard and Rosie Hughes were on target in the last round of this competition, but Wrexham saw off a second-half TNS onslaught to claim a famous 2-1 win.
They were even more impressive in the Genero Adran Trophy – Hughes scoring an incredible six goals, and setting up the other, in a stunning 7-1 victory against Abergavenny.
Aberystwyth Town, meanwhile, reached this stage with a 2-0 win away to Connah’s Quay Nomads. Gwenllian Jones and Amy Jenkins scored the visitors’ goals.
Team news
A fortnight after Wrexham were made to work to maintain their winning start to the season – requiring two late goals to beat Airbus UK 2-0, manager Steve Dale has a number of selection headaches to ponder.
Lauryn Lyons return to fitness, and goalscoring form, was rewarded with a start last time out, while Libby Mackenzie and Ava Suckley are both pushing for returns to the starting line-up too.
Mia Roberts missed out two weeks ago, while Phoebe Davies has been out injured since hobbling off during Wrexham’s 2-1 win against TNS in the last round of this competition.
The opposition
Aberystwyth’s victory against Connah’s Quay in this competition kick-started a run of five consecutive wins in all competitions.
They go into this game on the back of a 2-1 loss away to Pontypridd United and a 3-3 draw at home to TNS in the league, however.
That last draw came in remarkable circumstances, however. TNS were 3-0 up on the hour-mark, only for Aber to stage a stunning comeback.
Elin Jones, in-form teenage forward Gwenllian Jones and Tania Wylde got the goals – the latter levelling in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Wylde got a goal and assist from the bench, while Amy Jenkins also claimed an assist and both could be options to return to the starting line-up for this one.
Previous meetings
This will be the first time these two teams have met since Wrexham’s reformation, though the Red Dragons’ Under-19s did play at Aber in the national Under-19s Championship final last season, against Cardiff City.
Wrexham and Aberystwyth Town won’t have to wait long to resume hostilities after this game, however – they have to meet again in the Genero Adran Trophy quarter-finals next month.