Wrexham’s Bartle: We produced a performance to be proud of in draw with champions

GENERO ADRAN PREMIER – OCTOBER 12

Wrexham 1 (Barker 14)
Cardiff City 1 (Barry pen 85)

Skipper Jodie Bartle said her Wrexham side produced a performance to be proud in holding Adran Premier champions Cardiff City to a draw at The Globe, Buckley, on Sunday.

After taking an early lead through Katie Barker, the Red Dragons were heading towards three points until the visitors converted a late penalty to grab a share of the spoils.

There was certainly a sense of disappointment in the Wrexham camp at the result, but Bartle implied it was a point gained rather than two lost.

She said on social media after the game: “Disappointed but certainly not disheartened.

“The disappointment we feel shows how far we’ve come in a short period of time, and where we strive to be. However it was a performance to be proud of, disciplined, controlled and connected. A solid point at home.”

Wrexham remain level on points with the champions, who top fhe table only on goal difference.

The hosts were in front after 13 minutes. Mariam Mahmood’s superb lofted pass picked out Barker, who lobbed the onrushing Ceryn Chamberlain – the ball bouncing into the empty net.

Efforts on goal from either side before the break produced no further goals.

Two minutes into the second-half, Abbie Iddenden shot through a crowd from the edge of the box but Chamberlain was alert to save.

Ava Suckley spotted Chamberlain off her line in the 56th minute and shot from 40 yards, which had the keeper chasing back, but the strike was off target.

Liz Craven produced a brilliant save high to her right to deny Lily Billingham on 59 minutes.

Disaster struck in the 84th minute, however, when Suckley tripped sub Fiona Barry in the area. Barry picked herself up to score from the spot.

Both sides had chances to win it, Barker testing Chamberlain before Craven produced a fine double save to thwart Barry and Mackenzie Olden and then to scoop Olden’s deflected shot wide from the subsequent corner.

Faye Knox came on for her Wrexham debut in the final minutes but neither side could find a winner.