Wrexham found a way to win – and that’s all that matters

GENERO ADRAN PREMIER – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Wrexham 3 (Bartle 3, Snape 25, Beman OG 88)
Barry Town United 2 (Davies OG 48, Harris 54)

Whether it is after only two games or with just two matches to go, sitting top of the league is always a good look.

So Wrexham’s current position at the Adran Premier summit with two games played is definitely a fine reason for their loyal supporters to smile.

Compare the start of this season with last.

The Red Dragons’ first three outings of 2024-25 all ended in defeats, and they lost five of their first six.

At that stage, just staying in the Premier looked a realistic aim, but as we all know Wrexham turned things around drastically, breaking the Cardiff City and Swansea City jinxes and putting together a superb set of results to clinch a top-four finish.

This season, the scenario has changed somewhat. While many of last season’s best remain, there is a new head coach in Jenny Sugarman plus some exciting fresh signings who have really made their mark.

So yes, it is early days, but two wins out of two heading into this Sunday’s visit to The New Saints is not to be sneezed at.

In contrast to their opening day 5-2 success at Briton Ferry Llansawel, where Sugarman’s side came back from two-down to win in style, last Sunday’s triumph at home to Barry Town United presented a different test.

Having this time taken a 2-0 lead, Wrexham were pegged back to 2-2 after what it has to be said were two terrible goals to concede, but managed to seal consecutive victories courtesy of an OG via a lethal weapon – a Hannah Snape corner.

In both performances we have seen the resilience needed to win matches against adversity, but different types.

Sunday’s opening half at the Stok Cae Ras saw Wrexham totally dominate and the only surprise was they led just 2-0 at the break.

The opening goal in the third minute was very much the work of the new recruits.

Snape delivered a high, hanging corner from the right and skipper Jodie Bartle lashed home at the second attempt after a first effort off her body was blocked on the line.

The second home strike on 25 minutes was a peach. Mariam Mahmood showed dazzling skill before laying the ball back to Ava Suckley whose shot was blocked, but Snape followed up with a sublime left-foot finish.

Katie Barker was soon through on goal but denied by the feet of keeper Erin Murray, who made a more conventional save to tip over a Natalie Clark piledriver.

Another Snape flag-kick caused chaos in the box, Bartle went close, but Barry somehow survived.

Very much against the script, Barry were level within the first nine minutes of the second half.

Sienna Stone crossed from the left and keeper Liz Craven would comfortably have collected the ball only for defender Phoebe Davies attempting to clear but finding her own net.

Barry’s leveller was another disaster, Craven robbed trying to beat Keira Harris who could not fail to find the open net.

Wrexham shook themselves out of their slumber and began to dominate one more.

Several close calls occurred, sub Abbie Iddenden threatening with a shot on the turn, before the winner arrived on 88.

Yet again, a Snape corner unsettled the Barry defence and the ball ended up in the net off either Barry’s Angharad Beman or Holly Jenkins. Rosie Hughes ran away claiming it, but it was definitely an own goal.

Barker then produced two devastating runs as Wrexham sought to kill the contest, but Murray somehow denied her twice.

Too close for comfort perhaps, but Wrexham got the job done and that’s all that matters.