Wrexham returned to the Adran Premier for the first time since 2016, after a 1-0 win against Briton Ferry at Latham Park.
Rebecca Pritchard’s only goal in the 74th minute sealed the win for the Red Dragons, who had defended resolutely in the face of constant pressure from Briton Ferry.
Early on Ferry looked in control. Wrexham looked nervous, shackled with the knowledge that not only would a win mean promotion, but semi-professionalism too. Was the weight of everything too much for them?
Ferry made use of their early advantage with a handful of chances. The experienced Laura-May Walkley skipped through the Wrexham defence, but she dragged her effort wide.
Rhys James’ side’s best chance fell shortly after that. Meg Kearle was played in one-on-one with Delyth Morgan, but the Wrexham captain came out on top to make a vital save.
The chance would act as a wake-up call for Wrexham, as they grew into the game. Lili Jones’ ball over the top was gathered by Rosie Hughes who went one-on-one with Courtney Young, but like Morgan before, Young was equal to Hughes’ attempt.
Hughes was becoming more of a factor as the half went on. She used her blistering pace to glide past Lowri Ridings and got a cross into the box, but Briton Ferry cleared their lines.
Before the half ended, another glorious opportunity presented itself to Ferry. Walkley’s clever ball round the corner found the run of Lowri Baker, but she could only fire her shot straight at Morgan. As the half came to a close, Briton Ferry were on top.
Anything good that Ferry were doing was coming from Walkley. The midfielder was having a spell bounding game and her cross was almost converted by Baker, but Erin Lovett made a tremendous block to deny the forward a goal.
Walkley’s next chance was a well-timed volley from close range, but it was straight at Morgan. Substitute Mollie Jones was a threat as soon as she came on, but Morgan again got down well to make a save.
For all of Ferry’s chances, they couldn’t convert any, and they were made to pay for that 15 minutes from time. Hughes’ tenacious work down the wing meant she was able to get a cross into the box, and found Rebecca Pritchard, who got herself in front of Young to poke in from close range.
The goal certainly calmed Wrexham down as they held their shape better. Jones still had a half opportunity for Ferry, as did Lily Whitefoot for Wrexham, but nothing to test either keeper.
Wrexham almost doubled their lead before the end, as Hughes’ 35-yard strike cannoned off the bar, a goal to almost match the occasion.
The pace of Jones, however, was becoming crucial for Ferry in the closing stages, and she broke free to go one-on-one with Morgan again, but somehow the keeper got a touch on it to deny the forward.
With the last kick of the game, Ferry were presented a free kick on the edge of the area. Up stepped Lucy Powell, but player of the match Morgan miraculously tipped her effort onto the bar and Wrexham cleared to held on to win promotion back to the topflight.
Player of the Match: Delyth Morgan
Without a shadow of a doubt, Morgan was the star player today. Her guile and decision-making skills were second to none, and without her, Wrexham would not have won this game.
Wrexham
Delyth Morgan (GK) ©, Phoebe Davies, Mia Roberts (Ella Clifton-Stringer, 78’), Erin Lovett, Rebecca Pritchard, Rosie Hughes, TJ Dickens, Amber Lightfoot (Lily Whitefoot, 78’), Katie Sharp, Mari Gibbard (Libby Mackenzie, 85’), Lili Jones
Unused Subs: Kim Dutton, Sophie Hodson
Goals: Rebecca Pritchard (74’)
Yellow Cards: Rebecca Pritchard (30’)
Briton Ferry
Courtney Young (GK), Laura-May Walkley, Alice Broadley, Fleur Jenkins, Brooke Llewelyn, Lowri Ridings ©, Lucy Powell, Ela Roberts, Meg Kearle, Chelsea Deacon, Lowri Baker (Mollie Jones, 70’)
Unused Subs: Jess Denscombe, Manon Thomas, Alexsie Clayton, Georgia Howells
Yellow Cards: Lowri Baker (22’), Meg Kearle (87’)
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