Wrexham AFC Women are shining and fighting on all fronts heading into 2026

Katie Barker is in scintillating form in front of goal for Wrexham. Pic by Craig Thomas/FAW

Wrexham AFC Women could not be departing 2025 in finer fettle – but the way they start 2026 will depend on how the pride of North Wales handle their biggest test yet.

Sunday, January 4, will see Jenny Sugarman’s side travel to Cardiff City, Adran Premier champions for the past three seasons.

Wrexham currently hold a five-point lead at the top of the table, The Bluebirds in second with a game in hand.

The Red Dragons are undefeated in their last 12 games – winning 11. Back in October, they drew 1-1 with Cardiff at The Globe, Buckley.

Wrexham broke a long-standing jinx against City in the second phase of last season, beating the eventual title winners in the league 4-2 at home and 2-1 away. Earlier in the campaign, they also lost 4-1 and 2-0 in the Premier to the capital side.

It was 2-2 over the season when the teams clashed in the ‘decider’ – the Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final.

Cardiff won 3-1, but Wrexham had certainly made a statement over the campaign as a whole about their ability to outdo the multiple trophy winners.

This season is shaping into Wrexham’s strongest yet since they were promoted to the top flight in 2023-24. Summer signings like Katie Barker, Jodie Bartle, Hannah Snape and Mariam Mahmood have made a major impact.

Sugarman’s stars ended 2025 in great style with a 4-0 victory over Tier 2 Penybont Women in the Welsh Cup last Sunday.

Wrexham advanced to the quarter-finals courtesy of goals from Snape, Rosie Hughes, sub Barker’s 14th goal of the season and Natalie Clark.

The North Wales side finish the current year top of the Adran Premier, into the Welsh Cup quarters and the semi-final of the Adran Trophy, where a home tussle with Briton Ferry Llansawel awaits on January 11.

So far, so very good for the team giving the cream of South Wales a real run for their money in 2025-26.