Wrexham AFC Women’s Genero Adran North title challenge goes down to a winner-takes-all final-day showdown against league leaders Llandudno on Sunday March 20.
After victory in their game in hand on Thursday night, Llandudno go into the game at the OPS Wind Arena one point clear of Wrexham – who have won their last ten consecutive league games.
Llandudno, on the other hand, have only lost once all season – to Wrexham – and have won all seven league games since.
The match kicks off at 2pm, and official supporter travel is available to book via the Wrexham AFC eTicketing website if you would like to support the women on Sunday.
The bus will depart from the Mold Road at 12pm mid-day, and tickets cost £15 for adults and £13 for under-16s. Tickets can be collected in store or printed at home, and we would urge all supporters to select the eTicket/print-at-home option where possible.
Match tickets are pay-at-the-gate, and CASH ONLY, and will cost £2 for adults and £1 for children.
Winner takes it all
The equation for both teams going into the final day of the season is quite simple: win, and the they will win the title.
After Llandudno’s win at home to Connah’s Quay Nomads last weekend ended the latter’s hopes of not just the title but a top-two finish, everything is riding on the game at the OPS Wind Arena.
Llandudno have the slight advantage as they sit one point clear at the top of the table and a draw will be enough. With home advantage too, Llandudno go into the game as favourites.
However, their one defeat all season was at the hands of Wrexham in a thrilling match at Brymbo before Christmas.
Winning streaks
Both teams have got themselves into title contention thanks to some stunning winning streaks.
Wrexham kick-started their season after Mari Edwards’ resignation as manager in November – winning all ten league games since Steve Dale replaced her in the dug-out, first on an interim basis and then permanently.
After a 3-1 win at Llanfair United, and then a comeback win by the same scoreline at Airbus UK, Dale was handed the reigns on a permanent basis.
They then thrashed bottom-of-the-league Denbigh 18-0, before their thrilling 5-3 win at home to Llandudno.
Back-to-back 6-2 home wins against Airbus and previously unbeaten Bethel started the new year, and a 3-2 victory against title rivals Connah’s Quay Nomands put them top of the league.
They have since beaten Llanfair United, Denbigh and – last time out – Pwllheli to make it ten wins from ten.
Llandudno, on the other hand, bounced back from defeat to Wrexham with a winning streak of their own.
They put 13 past Denbigh just two days after the loss, and then started the new year by beating Llanfair United.
A late 3-2 win against Bethel – the only other team to take points off Llandudno this season – followed, and then dominant victories against Denbigh and Airbus kept them in contention for top spot.
Last weekend, they won 3-1 against Connah’s Quay Nomads to ensure the title race would go to a final-day shoot-out with Wrexham, and a 3-0 win in their game in hand in midweek – at home to Pwllheli – ensured they go into this game in pole position.
We’ve met before
The last meeting between the two teams proved to be a thriller at Brymbo, a fortnight before Christmas.
Rosie Hughes put Wrexham in front after just 11 minutes, but Llandudno rallied and Sioned Phillips, India Hassall and Maddie Williams all netted before the break.
Libby Mackenzie’s goal midway through the second-half gave Wrexham hope, however, before TJ Dickens levelled the scores in the 82nd minute.
Wrexham did not settle for a point either and Rebecca Pritchard played in Rosie Hughes to complete the turnaround in the final minute.
Seven minutes of stoppage followed, but Pritchard then scored herself to ease Wrexham’s nerves and seal a thrilling 5-3 home win.
Team News
After missing last week’s win at Pwllheli due to illness, midfielder TJ Dickens is back in contention for Wrexham.
Steve Dale has some selection decisions to make for this game, with Libby Mackenzie also back in training despite her suffering an injury away to Denbigh two weeks ago too.
Mia Roberts dropped to the bench last time out, but set up a crucial goal from left-back and may be in contention to start this time around.
Potential milestones
Phoebe Rintoul (ten starts, three sub appearances), Rebecca Pritchard (11 starts, two sub appearances), and Rosie Hughes (12 starts, one sub appearance) could finish the season having played in every single Wrexham AFC Women league game. Rintoul and Hughes also started all six cup games this year.
Rosie Hughes goes into the game against her former team with 46 goals to her name this season.
Keep Up
The match at Llandudno kicks off at 2pm, and supporter travel is available to book online now. Entry is £2 on the gate – and cash only.
If you cannot make it down to Llandudno, however, you can follow along on the Wrexham AFC club website or follow @WrexhamAFCWomen on Twitter.