Wrexham bounce back in style after Welsh Cup exit

GENERO ADRAN PREMIER – MARCH 15, 2026

Wrexham 4 (Francis-Jones 8, Harvey 39, Barker 73, 78)
The New Saints 1 (Chapman 28)

There was no Welsh Cup hangover for Wrexham as they swept aside the disappointment of last weekend’s semi-final loss to Cardiff City by returning to league action with a 4-1 thumping of The New Saints at The Rock.

Apart from Cardiff, TNS were the only side to beat Jenny Sugarman’s team in the last 20 matches – a 4-2 victory at Park Hall last October.

Since that defeat, Wrexham had claimed 31 points from a possible 36. Their latest success leaves them just a point behind leaders Cardiff with a game in hand.

Wrexham took an eighth-minute lead when Saints keeper Orla Howard could only palm a deep right wing cross into the path of Maria Francis-Jones who fired in a left-foot beauty against her former club.

The visitors levelled on 28 when Lexi Jones passed to Caitlin Chapman, who turned sharply 20 yards out and sent a deflected shot beyond keeper Liz Craven.

Wrexham were back in front in the 39th minute when Faye Knox’s brilliant strike came back off the inside of the post and Sarah Harvey claimed the last touch ahead of TNS defender Zara Gibbs.

There was concern for the home side 13 minutes into the second half when Mikayla Wildgoose produced a brilliant tackle to stop Jones in her tracks, but the Wrexham defender hurt herself badly in the process – getting stretchered off after a lengthy stoppage.

Wrexham went 3-1 up on 73 minutes when sub Rosie Hughes hooked the ball on from halfway and Katie Barker used her strength and pace to enter the box before applying a deadly finish.

Craven produced a superb save to deny Chapman in the 77th minute before the Red Dragons added their fourth seconds later.

Knox fed the ball down the right and Barker robbed Kayleigh Baker before prodding a razor-sharp finish past Howard.

That was Barker’s 23rd goal in 23 games for Wrexham and her 19th in the league.

Next up for Sugarman’s sensations is a return match at TNS next Sunday.