Wrexham AFC Women travel down to South Wales, to face Pontypridd United in their first away game of the 2023/24 Genero Adran Premier season.
Steve Dale’s side will be looking to build on last weekend’s 3-3 draw against Swansea City, where they impressed against the six-time champions.
The story so far
This time last year, Wrexham were hoping to gain promotion to the top-flight of Welsh Football, having missed out on the Adran North title in a final day clash with Llandudno.
A lot has happened in the last 12 months, and a turbulent summer following promotion ensued, with six new players arriving to bolster Steve Dale’s side.
Since then, the side have played their first game in the top-flight, proving their credentials in a monumental clash against the Swans last weekend and they will be looking to fully establish themselves at the top level of Welsh football.
Last time out
The Red Dragons proved their credentials at the top-flight of Welsh football with an impressive performance against Swansea City to draw 3-3 at home.
Rebecca Pritchard opened the scoring, latching onto a ball from Mari Gibbard to break the deadlock after 23 minutes.
Rosie Hughes then doubled Wrexham’s advantage, poking home from close-range in the 55th minute on her left foot to shock the 2021/22 league champions.
Wrexham defended superbly but their resolve was broken in the 75th minute as Swansea got a goal back from close-range.
Swansea continued to ramp up their advances towards goal, and the Swans equalised in the 84th minute, having capitalised on a period of pressure within the game.
It seemed like Dale’s side had found the winner through Hannah Keryakoplis in the 89th minute, but a late deflected strike saw Swansea draw level in added time, forcing Wrexham to settle for a point.
The opposition: Pontypridd United
The South Wales side have seen a summer of change, with new additions being made to the squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
James Fishlock’s side saw the departure of last season’s League Young Player of the Season, Liv Francis, who left the Club to join Manchester United on a permanent basis.
Since then, Ponty have made 11 additions to their side which finished top of their Phase Two table – having narrowly missed out on the top four at the point which the league split.
Additions have come from division heavyweights Cardiff City and Swansea City, but the most high-profile signing would be Nadia Lawrence – a 42 cap Wales International who made the move to USW Sports Park from Cardiff City Ladies.
This season, they’ll be looking to go one better, hoping to break into the top four after narrowly missing out last year.
In the hot seat: James Fishlock
Fishlock is a vastly experienced operator within Women’s football in Wales, having previously worked with Cardiff City Ladies and Cyncoed Ladies before making the move to USW Sports Park with Pontypridd.
He was appointed as manager ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, leading Pontypridd to a fifth-place finish and narrowly missing out on a top-four spot to The New Saints at the League split.
Aditionally, Fishlock is the older brother of legendary Welsh international and current OL Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock, who is also Wales’ most capped player ever.
How to follow the match
As the fixture hasn’t been selected for TV coverage, the only way to stay up-to-date with the fixture is by following the Club’s social channels.
Live updates will be provided on the Club’s X account, @WrexhamAFCWomen.