Wrexham AFC Women return to league action on Sunday, playing for the first time since they moved top of the Genero Adran North table when they take on Llanfair United at home.
After the recent weather-related postponements, the match, on Sunday February 27, will take place at Brymbo Sports & Social Complex.
The fixture, originally scheduled to play a fortnight ago, is Wrexham’s final home league game of the season – with a trio of away fixtures to follow.
Back in league action
Wrexham AFC Women went top of the Genero Adran North table on Sunday January 23 with a thrilling 3-2 win against former leaders Connah’s Quay Nomads.
A break in the fixture list, followed by two cancelled fixtures because of waterlogged pitches, means the Red Dragons have not played since.
Llanfair are also playing their first league game since January, though they were in NEWFA Women’s Cup action earlier this month – stretching their current winning streak to three games.
Winning streaks
Wrexham have surged to the top of the Genero Adran North table after a run of seven consecutive wins in the league – a streak which started with a 3-1 win at Llanfair United.
That match was Steve Dale’s first back in interim charge, following Mari Edwards’ resignation.
Dale remains unbeaten in the league as manager as a result, with Wrexham’s 21 points from 21 since lifting them two points clear of second-placed Llandudno and three of Connah’s Quay – albeit having played a game more than both.
Llanfair are also in the middle of a winning streak of their own, however – they have won each of their last three matches in all competitions and four from five in total.
They only scraped past struggling Denbigh Town 2-1, but Gemma Jones’ double and Tonicha Lloyd’s goal then earned a 3-0 victory against Airbus UK.
Last time out, in the NEWFA Women’s Cup, Llanfair avoided a cup upset with victory against Northop Hall Ladies. Former Wrexham striker Amy Glendenning scored for the Hall, but Annalee Hudson-Owen, Jones and Nia Ellis were all on target for Llanfair in a 3-1 win.
We’ve met before
Wrexham and Llanfair United are going head-to-head for the fourth time this season – with all three previous matches, in three different competitions, having taken place in Llanfair.
Prolific striker Rosie Hughes has particularly enjoyed this fixture, scoring five goals in the 6-1 FA Women’s Cup win and then another hat-trick in the 6-2 Genero Adran Trophy success.
Hughes started as a substitute when the teams last met in the league, meanwhile, in November, and Llanfair are now the only team she has not scored against in the Genero Adran North this season.
On that occasion, after a goalless first half in which Wrexham had failed to press home their early possession, Rebecca Pritchard, Lauren Reese and Amber Lightfoot were all on target for the visitors.
Tonicha Lloyd grabbed a late consolation, but Wrexham won 3-1 – kick-starting their surge up the Genero Adran North table.
Team News
After Del Morgan’s late unavailability meant TJ Dickens played in goal in Wrexham’s most recent league game, the Red Dragons’ number one will be back between the sticks for this game.
Ella Clifton-Stringer returned to the starting line-up in that game, and the teenage defender should be involved again in this one.
Wales Under-17 international Lili Jones is unavailable, however, meaning Megan Buckley returns to the match-day squad. Lauren Reese is also unavailable.
Keep Up
The match at Brymbo kicks off at 2pm and is free for spectators to attend. If you can’t get to The Crick, however, you can keep up with the action by following @WrexhamAFCWomen on Twitter.