Five-star Rosie Hughes nets quintet in Wrexham thrashing of Barry Town

Wrexham claimed a convincing 5-1 win against Barry Town at Jenner Park to maintain their unbeaten start to the Adran Premier season.

After scoring a first-half hat-trick, Hughes scored another two in the second period, as Wrexham romped home to pick up their second win of the season. Lucy Attwood did score a screamer at the end for Barry, but it was too little too late.

Barry made three changes from the side that were defeated by Swansea City last weekend. Lauren Harris, Vera Jones, and Caitlin Davies came in for India Shanahan, Emily Freeman, and Chloe Jones. Wrexham made one change from their victory against Pontypridd, as Charlotte Bolland replaced Del Morgan in goal.

The message from the Barry camp was pretty simple, press Wrexham high up the pitch so they couldn’t get out. At times it worked, but on the counter, the speed of Rosie Hughes looked beyond dangerous, and in twelve first half minutes, we saw how dangerous she could be.

A free-kick out wide was whipped into the box by TJ Dickens, and Hughes rose unmarked to guide her header into the back of the net. She only had to wait nine minutes for her second.

A low cross from Rebecca Pritchard went through countless bodies before reaching Hughes at the back stick, who could bundle her effort underneath Erin Brennan.

Four minutes after the second, her hat trick was complete. Another Pritchard cross this time landing perfectly onto the head of Hughes, and Brennan was left with no chance.

While their defence was ropey, Barry did look dangerous on the attack. Vera Jones and Lucy Attwood in particular were giving the Wrexham defence a torrid time, but they couldn’t get a goal back in the first half. Charlotte Bolland, the crossbar, and the post denied them each time, and heading into the dressing room, Barry knew they had to make one of these chances count eventually.

The hosts started the second half well and continued their pressing style, but their work came undone once again eight minutes into the second period. Louisha Doran’s searching ball forward found Hughes, and she poked the ball past an onrushing Brennan into the bottom corner.

It seemed like every counterattack Wrexham executed they were scoring, so it was no surprise when Hughes grabbed her fifth of the afternoon. A pinpoint pass from Amber Lightfoot set the number nine away, and she rounded the keeper and tapped into an empty net.

While Barry didn’t have a lot to cheer about, their fans could celebrate a goal two minutes from the end, and what a goal it was. Attwood managed to spot Bolland off her line and swept in her strike into the top corner from 25-yards out. A howitzer from the former Bristol City winger.

It wasn’t enough however, as Wrexham secured their second straight away win.

Next week sees Barry travel to TNS, while Wrexham welcome Cardiff City to The Rock.

Player of the Match – Rosie Hughes

Well, it can’t really be anyone else can it! Barry couldn’t contain her. In the air, on the ground, through the centre or down the wing, Hughes was everywhere, and she righly deserves to be the current top scorer in the Adran Premier.

Barry Town United

Erin Brennan, Lauren Harris, Holly Jenkins, Nia Davies, Caitlin Davies, Hana Bennett (Emily Freeman 60’), Taite Trivett (India Shanahan 46’), Lucy Attwood, Vera Jones (Lucy Coles 86’), Chloe Tiley © (Amelia Herbert 86’), Aimee Deacon (Sienna Stone 78’)

Goals: Lucy Attwood (88’)

Yellows: Holly Jenkins (35’)

Wrexham

Charlotte Bolland, Phoebe Davies, Erin Lovett (Carra Jones 60’), Louisha Doran (Katie Sharp 64’), Rebecca Pritchard, Rosie Hughes (Natasha Spearing 79’), TJ Dickens, Amber Lightfoot, Lili Jones (Lily Whitefoot 79’), Keren Allen ©, Mari Gibbard

Unused Subs: Chloe Ankers

Goals: Rosie Hughes (7’, 15’, 19’, 53’, 67’)

Yellows: Louisha Doran (29’), Rosie Hughes (55’)

(Featured Image: John Smith/FAW)