Saints bow of the FAW Women’s Cup after defeat against Red Dragons

Match Report

Goals: Harrison (89).
Substitutions: Lawson for Platt (64), Whitefoot for Lawson (68), Samson for Lockley (79).
Yellow cards: Teare (85).

Match report by Michael Davies
Lead image: Andrew Donnison

The New Saints went out of the FAW Women’s Cup in round two after a 2-1 loss against Wrexham at Park Hall Stadium.

Steve Dale’s team’s goals came from Rebbeca Pritchard and a Rosie Hughes penalty in the first-half before Lexie Harrison got a consolation late on in the second forty-five.

It was a scrappy game for the majority of the encounter, where the Adran North side were the team that were more clinical on the day.

The Red Dragons took the lead in the 7th minute. A ball was crossed in from a corner by Tonicha Dickens that found Rebbecca Pritchard at the back post who tapped the ball into the net.

Andy Williams’ side had their first chance at goal in the 18th when Caitlin Chapman hit a free-kick from just outside the penalty, as the chance went over the crossbar.

Another chance came to The Saints a minute later. The ball fell to Lucie Platt from 20-yards away, the no.10 then hit the ball at goal, as Delyth Morgan made the save.

Mid-way through the first-half Rosie Hughes had a shot in the box that was deflected wide.

After a foul in the TNS box straight after, it was a penalty to Wrexham. Hughes then converted the follow into the top of the net.

Past the half-hour mark, Libby Mackenzie had an effort for the away team that went wide.

In the 35th, Chantelle Teare had a shot in the box that went over the goal for the Oswestry-based team.

At the start of the second forty-five, Amber Lightfoot had an effort for the Adran North team in the TNS box that went wide of the net.

Before the hour mark, Dani Staley had a shot from outside the 18-yard area that was matched by a fine save from Morgan.

TNS almost scored in the 73rd. A ball was crossed into the box and Teare hit the inside of the post at close range.

Two later Hughes hit an effort for Wrexham from outside the box that Libby Rubin caught.

In the 77th, Beth Lewis played a ball over to Staley, who hit the ball in the box that Morgan stopped.

Not long after Staley hit the crossbar from 30-yards away, as TNS kept knocking.

With little time left on the clock, Chapman had a free-kick from just outside the box which went over the crossbar.

TNS were on the attack once more in the 86th, Staley had an effort from 30-yards that was not far from entering the net.

In the 89th TNS did get one back, Izzy Redding played an over-the-ball that found Lexie Harrison who tucked into the goal.

TNS pushed right to the end, but it finished 2-1 to Wrexham.

Andy Williams’ team are next in action against Barry Town United Women at Jenner Park on Sunday (November 6).