Wrexham AFC Women don’t need Artificial Intelligence – they have the genuine AI!

GENERO ADRAN PREMIER

Wrexham 4 (Hughes 19, Iddenden 40, 55 & 62)
Cardiff City 2 (Curnock 8, Billingham 51)

Ask most people nowadays what the initials AI stand for and the majority would probably say Artificial Intelligence.

Ask Wrexham AFC Women fans the significance of AI, however, and it is likely they would come up with an entirely different, football-based answer.

For AI are the initials of the Red Dragons’ current hottest property – goal machine Abbie Iddenden.

The 25-year-old sensation made it 11 goals in her last eight games on Sunday with an amazing hat-trick in Wrexham’s 4-2 beating of Adran Premier champions Cardiff City.

And it was no ordinary treble. Iddenden produced three magnificent finishes which would not have been out of place at a much higher level of football.

Iddenden’s triple strike at Central Park, Denbigh, put her level on goals with strike partner Ava Suckley with 16 apiece in all competitions. And AI is also now top-scorer in the Adran Premier Championship.

Having claimed their first-ever win over Cardiff City last month after eight straight losses since rejoining the top flight, Wrexham went out determined to do a second phase of the season double over Iain Derbyshire’s title-winners – and they did not disappoint their supporters.

The hosts started brilliantly had an early goal ruled out before City struck first in the eighth minute.

Some loose play across the back allowed Laura Curnock to nip in and fire the visitors ahead.

Wrexham responded well and it took a fabulous save by Anna Phelps from a Rosie Hughes rocket volley to prevent an equaliser.

The home side levelled on 19 minutes. Lili Jones struck a venomous volley which Phelps was unable to hold and Hughes pounced to notch her first league goal since February.

Wrexham looked certain to take the lead after 38 minutes when Suckley’s fine pass left Iddenden in on goal, but Phelps produced a magnificent save to deny the number 6.

Two minutes later, however, the North Walians were in front.

A long kick from keeper Liz Craven took a huge bounce off the surface and Iddenden showed typical sharpness to lob Phelps and make it 2-1.

Craven ensured the hosts led at the break with a magnificent double save, denying Fiona Barry from point blank range before performing marvels to keep out the follow up.

Cardiff began the second half strongly and equalised on 51 minutes via a beautiful curling finish from 20 yards by Lily Billingham.

Within four minutes Steve Dale’s side were back in the ascendency.

Suckley delivered an exquisite pass from midfield towards Iddenden, who controlled with her right foot and lashed home with her left – a stupendous goal.

Iddenden was now becoming unplayable and completed the hat-trick of her dreams in the 62nd minute.

Carra Jones won a tackle on the left and found Iddenden, who broke forward and blasted home an absolute missile from over 20 yards.

Cardiff did not give in and would have pulled one back had Craven not produced a superb tip away from a long range effort by sub Molly Kehoe.

The final whistle blew on a tremendous Wrexham victory.

For some time, it appeared this season might not be as rewarding as Wrexham’s first in the Adran Premier, but a stunning turnaround in form now suggests 2024-25 will turn out even better than their excellent debut campaign.

Wrexham don’t need Artificial Intelligence – they possess the genuine AI!