Eleven games, 11 wins and clinching the title with an 11-goal blitz – not a single soul could deny Wrexham AFC Women are worthy 2022-23 Genero Adran North champions.
Steve Dale’s side made sure they went one better than last season with an emphatic 11-1 away thrashing of CPD Y Rhyl 1879 in front of an impressive 245 Sunday attendance at Belle Vue.
It was always going to be Wrexham’s day. Their unstoppable striker Rosie Hughes broke the deadlock after just four minutes and it all snowballed from there.
Wrexham were straight on the attack and in the opening stages Rebecca Pritchard’s looping header from a Lili Jones corner was kept out by Loz Jones, but there was predator Hughes to lash in the rebound.
Hughes turned provider in the 12th minute when her precision pass released Amber Lightfoot, who showed her pace before poking past the advancing keeper.
Rhyl’s first effort saw Rachael Thomas clear the bar from a 25-yard free kick, but with 21 minutes on the clock the visitors pocketed their third.
Hughes again provided the vital pass, Lightfoot with the finish.
A rare blip from the idolised Rosie had the Rhyl fans cheering on the half-hour.
Wrexham won a penalty but Hughes dragged her effort wide. Not overly disappointed – probably as she knew other goals were coming – Hughes playfully raised her arms to the crowd as if to say “I am human!”.
Still the leaders were well on top and on 33 minutes Lili Jones’ long range free kick dipped in under the bar.
Hughes atoned for her spot-kick miss in the 41st minute when she lashed home left-footed for her 20th league goal of the season – and 38th in all competitions.
Soon after came a rare moment of joy for Rhyl, Laura Williams turning in the box and leaving goalkeeper Delyth Morgan flat-footed as her trademark diamond left-foot chipped the ball in magnificently. Laura doesn’t do tap-ins!
Sadly for the hosts, Wrexham were not finished for the half.
Hughes found an empty net to complete yet another hat-trick before the goal machine crossed from the left and Pritchard forced the ball over the line. Half-time: 1-7.
The second half was one-way traffic with Wrexham striking the goal frame twice and forcing Loz Jones into some fine stops, one double save to deny Hughes and Pritchard most impressive.
And then there were four more goals.
Libby McKenzie was allowed way too much space in the box to make it 8-1 on 48 minutes before Hughes raced through the defence to add number nine.
Lightfoot skilfully turned and outran her marker to bring up her personal hat-trick.
And there was still time for Hughes to score her fifth, rounding the keeper to make it 11-1.
While Wrexham were ruthless in attack, it must be said a number of goals resulted from Rhyl giving the ball away far too cheaply. Every time they did, they were punished.
The champions were very sportingly applauded off the pitch at the end by the Rhyl players who formed a guard of honour by the tunnel.
Who else? 23 league goals in just eight games, 16 in her last five, five hat-tricks and 41 goals in all competitions.
She’s North Wales’ greatest and a total phenomenon. Others mocked when I suggested she is worthy of a Wales trial – I stand by my belief every day of the week.
It is true that one player does not make a team, but one player can make one hell of a difference.
She deserves a better crowd song though! No doubt someone will come up with something as she’s a celebrity in her own right.
Wrexham AFC Women Under-19s sealed the Genero Adran U19s North title for the second consecutive season on Friday, storming to a 10-0 win away to CPDM Y Felinheli.
The victory was enough to secure top spot with two games to spare.
Wrexham have defended the title they also won in their debut season last time out, with Gareth Owen’s side once again set to play in the U19s Championship Final against the southern champions.
Lili Jones scored a first-half hat-trick and Siwan Williams also hit a treble, with Katie Jones scoring twice and Ruby Jones and Natasha Spearing also on target.
The Red Dragons will lift the trophy in front of the Wrexham fans on Sunday, March 26, when they conclude the league season at the Racecourse Ground with a game against closest challengers Connah’s Quay Nomads.
And Steve Dale’s side will then compete in the play-off final with the Genero Adran South champions – licenses permitting – for a place in the top flight next season.
Are Wrexham ready for the Adran Premier? Will the pitch they use be suitable for a licence?
It looks likely they will face Adran South table-toppers Briton Ferry Llansawel in the play-off final.
Llansawel are into the FAW Welsh Cup Final, so will be no pushover by any means, but a Wrexham squad with this talent should be good enough. It is a big chance for them.
Dale’s champions have faced two Adran Premier sides this season. They whipped Abergavenny 7-1 in the Adran Trophy, Rosie scoring six, but lost to Aberystwyth in both the Trophy and Welsh Cup.
The title was secured in the most emphatic fashion with Wrexham rattling up their biggest league win of the campaign.
Rosie Hughes was at her phenomenal best – five goals and three assists. Her and her team-mates would have had many more but for the woodwork and heroics of home stopper Loz Jones.
Amber Lightfoot added a hat-trick, Rebecca Pritchard, Libby McKenzie and Lili Jones one apiece. A crowd of 245 were at Belle Vue to see the champions deservedly crowned.
Arguably the game where the title was all but put under lock and key.
Injury-time goals from Katie Sharp and Amber Lightfoot sealed the points for the Dragonesses and pretty much ended the title challenge of the Quay.
Rosie Hughes had struck earlier in the match for the visitors.
A physical encounter which the hosts nonetheless won convincingly thanks to a four-timer from Rosie Hughes, Amber Lightfoot, Sophie Hodson, Lily Whitefoot and an own goal making up the eight.
Rosie Hughes (3), Amber Lightfoot (2) and Lily Whitefoot shared the goals for the dominant hosts.
Evidence in this one that champions Llandudno’s reign was over as the heirs to the throne Wrexham dished out a painful lesson in finishing.
Rosie Hughes netted three times against her former club, Libby McKenzie and Rebecca Pritchard (pen) with the rest. Quite a tight game was goalless at half time, but after the turnaround, Rosie scored a hat-trick in eight minutes.
Amber Lightfoot was the star of the show with four goals as Steve Dale’s side romped to a big win at Cae Seilo.
Libby McKenzie and Lily Whitefoot added singles.
One of Wrexham’s toughest tests of the league campaign with victory only secured in the final 10 minutes via a Rosie Hughes double.
This comparatively modest performance even got questions asked from Hollywood.
Credit to the bottom side for putting up such a good battle.
Ava Suckley and Lauryn Lyons bagged a brace apiece as Wrexham found themselves in seven heaven.
Sophie Hodson, Libby McKenzie and Amber Lightfoot also appeared on the scoresheet.
Another great show from Amber Lightfoot as the young talent added four goals to her collection.
Ava Suckley pocketed a hat-trick, Rebecca Pritchard and Tonicha Dickens contributing one goal each.
The previous time these two had met in the league Llandudno triumphed 3-2 to be crowned 2021-22 Genero Adran North champions.
Seven months on it was Wrexham’s day, Rosie Hughes and Ava Suckley netting twice apiece and Lili Jones adding a fifth.
Rosie Hughes began the league season in style with a hat-trick in this six-goal demolition of Llanfair.
New signing Ava Suckley proved her potential with a double, Libby McKenzie also on the mark.
23 – Rosie Hughes
17 – Amber Lightfoot
9 – Ava Suckley
5 – Libby McKenzie
3 – Rebecca Pritchard
3 – Lily Whitefoot
2 – Lili Jones
2 – Lauren Lyons
1 – Tonicha Dickens
1 – Katie Sharp
1 – Sophie Hodson
1 – Own Goal
Pwllheli celebrate winning the League Cup this season. Pictured in the red kit is goalkeeper…
Great times for Steve Gardner Report by Don Halecoastandcountry.blog donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Welsh Master and track star…
Liam Eason scored twice for Tîm Rhanbarthol Cymru y De as they claimed a 2-1…
CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876 in action during their record-breaking performance at Pwllheli (white) on…
Chirk 1st XI line up before their win over Foston. Pictured - back row left…
It's a treble for FC Queens Park Vets! NORTH EAST WALES VETS LEAGUE CUP FINAL…