PLAY-OFF FINAL SPECIAL: It will be tougher than this for Wrexham when they take on the top flight

GENERO ADRAN PLAY-OFF FINAL – APRIL 16, 2023

Wrexham 1 (Pritchard 75)
Briton Ferry Llansawel 0

The best team on the day lost – but Wrexham AFC Women won’t be worrying about that.

Goals win games and in the end just the one from Rebecca Pritchard in the 75th minute was needed to secure Steve Dale’s side Adran Premier League status next season.

While winning the Genero Adran North with a perfect 12-0 record is outstanding, the Red Dragons discovered against Ardal South champions Briton Ferry Llansawel in Sunday’s play-off at Newtown just how much tougher it could get in the tier 1 Premier.

Llansawel dominated for long periods and would have won but for a lack of confidence in front of goal. Next season, the opposition will be tougher than this for Wrexham.

But no doubt Wrexham will have plans. They are run by astute people and the need to strengthen the squad for the higher level will be foremost in their minds.

They will also embark on their new adventure with a winning mentality, and their plans to turn semi-professional will only boost the product.

And of course, there is the Hollywood connection. Although it was the potential of the men’s team which attracted Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, the pair have most certainly been hooked by the dynamism of the women’s squad.

With fingers (and everything else bendable) firmly crossed that Wrexham’s males return to the Football League (and it does look good doesn’t it) the club is buzzing and that can only be good for the females too.

While Sunday’s play-off didn’t pull 9,511 this time, a crowd of 1,507 inside Latham Park was still pretty good.

Both teams had early penalty shouts. Ferry’s Laura-May Walkley was brought down by Phoebe Davies right on the edge of the box, but no big decision needed as referee Charlotte Carpenter opined it was not a foul anyway.

At the other end, Rosie Hughes took a tumble, but again no illegal challenge was the call.

Walkley was playing superbly, the former Wales and Reading star sending a lovely effort inches wide on 20 minutes after teasing the Dragons back-line.

Both keepers then did well in one-on-one situations – Wrexham’s Delyth Morgan denying Megan Kearle and Courtney Young was out quickly to foil Mari Gibbard, who was booked for catching the stopper in her follow-up.

Walkley fired over before Hughes was sent clean through and looked a cert for her 43rd goal in all competitions this season, but Young did well to block.

Lowri Baker had a big chance when picked out in the box, but from an angle she fired straight at Morgan.

HALF-TIME: 0-0

The second half saw Llansawel do most of the attacking, but all too often the final ball or the finish let them down.

Baker blasted over from a great position following a pinpoint Walkley cross with 56 minutes on the clock.

Walkley’s low effort was back-heeled clear by Mia Roberts before Tonicha Dickens blocked Baker’s follow-up.

Morgan was forced into further stops from Walkley and substitute Molly Jones before the only goal arrived against the run of play.

Llansawel could have saved themselves by putting the ball out for a throw-in, but instead allowed Hughes to rob possession. The top-markswoman beat two down the left and her low cross saw Pritchard get a slight touch ahead of Young to find the net.

Hughes nearly made the game safe when her long ranger hit the bar on 89 minutes, but there was still a big finish in store from Ferry.

A Lucy Powell free kick came back off the bar – Morgan possibly getting a finger-tip to the strike – before the keeper definitely prevented Molly Jones making it 1-1.

Wrexham celebrated wildly at the final whistle and there must have been a sense of relief as they came to terms with realising their dream.

Wrexham: Del Morgan (c), Phoebe Davies, Mia Roberts (Ela-Clifton Stringer 78), Erin Lovett, Rebecca Pritchard, Rosie Hughes, Tonicha Dickens, Amber Lightfoot (Lily Whitefoot 78), Katie Sharp, Mari Gibbard (Libby Mackenzie 85), Lili Jones.

Briton Ferry Llansawel: Courtney Young, Laura-May Walkley, Alice Broadley, Fleur Jenkins, Brooke Llewellyn, Lowri Ridings (c), Lucy Powell, Ela Roberts (Jess Denscombe 85), Megan Kearle, Chelsea Deacon, Lowri Baker (Molly Jones 70).

Player of the Match

Laura-May Walkley (Briton Ferry Llansawel)

Classiest player on the field

ATTENDANCE: 1.507