The New Saints Women fall to defeat against Wrexham, despite valiant display at Park Hall

Match Report

Goals: H. Evans (2), Teare (12)
Red cards: H. Evans (51)
Substitutions: M. Evans for Williams (57), Hill for Ridge (77), Samson for Chapman (85)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

Despite racing into a two-goal lead, The New Saints Women ultimately lost 3-2 in a highly competitive game against Wrexham.

Goals inside the opening 12 minutes from Helen Evans and Chantelle Teare gave Greg Draper’s side the perfect start, but the visitors battled back to go into the half-time break with the scores level.

TNS were dealt a blow in the 51st minute following a straight red card for Helen Evans, and the Red Dragons took advantage and went on to score their third and winning goal in the 75th minute.

It was the perfect start from Greg Draper’s side, as they took the lead with less than two minutes on the clock.

A Caitlin Chapman cross from the right struck the crossbar, and the ball fell kindly for Helen Evans to head her side in front on the goal line.

Six minutes later, Evans then sent a free-kick straight into the hands of Del Morgan, as the hosts looked to further drive home their advantage.

In the 12th minute, things did get better for The Saints though, and it was Chapman the architect again.

Her corner from the right was converted by Chantelle Teare, who powered a header past Morgan and into the far corner.

TNS continued to dominate the game, and Emily Ridge sent a curling effort against the crossbar in the 19th minute.

With 27 minutes on the clock, however, Wrexham captain, Keren Allen, headed home from a left-sided corner to reduce her team’s deficit. 

Disaster would then strike five minutes later, as the other central defender, Katie Sharp, found space at the back post to equalise from a corner on the opposite side.

The sides went into the half-time break locked level at 2-2, but Draper’s side were dealt a huge blow six minutes after the restart when Helen Evans was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Phoebe Davies.

Despite their player disadvantage, The Saints continued to fashion chances, and Katie Sharp got back brilliantly to head a long-range Emily Ridge effort off the line in the 70th minute.

Down the other end, debutant goalkeeper, Ellie Suckley, pulled off a good save to deny Tonicha Dickens shortly after, with the visitors searching for the winner.

Just a minute later, however, the Red Dragons would score the go-ahead goal, when Mari Gibbard pounced on a loose ball inside the six-yard box.

It was a valiant effort in the closing stages to press for an equaliser, but Wrexham defended their lead well, and held on for an important three points.

The New Saints return to action in the Genero Adran Premier this coming Sunday (January 28th), when they travel to the Llandarcy Academy of Sport to take on Swansea City.