Finer finishing from Airbus secures them victory over Wrexham AFC Women

Airbus UK Broughton Women 4 (Lees, Hewitt 2, Erne)
Wrexham AFC Women 1 (Reese)

A strong performance from Airbus saw them defeat an ever-improving Wrexham side at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium on Sunday.

It was quite an even contest overall, the big difference being the clinicalness of the Wingmakers’ finishing.

Visitors Wrexham made the better start, but failed to make possession count.

The hosts took full advantage to break the deadlock on 20 minutes, when Becky Lees lofted the ball over the onrushing Kat Jones.

Wrexham suffered a blow when they lost striker Carmen Reyes to a knee injury, Tiffany Sands eventually replacing her with 10 minutes of the half remaining.

Airbus then made it 2-0 on the counter-attack.

Tegan Hewitt rounded the onrushing Jones and, despite pressure from Wrexham’s trialist defender, was able to slide the ball into the empty net.

Half-time: 2-0.

Like in the first half, Wrexham started the second period well, but five minutes in a loose ball was pounced on by the visitors. Laura Erne made it 3-0 after an initial strike came back off the post.

On 56 minutes, it was 4-0, Hewitt making it a personal double with a fantastic shot.

Lauren Reese got the goal Wrexham’s own performance deserved on the 65-minute mark. She found space on the edge of the Airbus box and unleashed a shot which – though initially on target anyway – took a wicked deflection and looped high over the Airbus keeper and in.

Wrexham finished brightly, forcing a series of chances which saw the home keeper in fine form.

A first defeat of pre-season for Wrexham, who travel to take on Northop Hall Ladies next Sunday.

• Thank you to Wrexham AFC’s Colin Henrys for photos and Olly Franks for information for the match report.