Wrexham v TNS talking points as fantastic Fiona Barry hunts Red Dragons in Adran Premier thriller

TNS claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Wrexham in the Adran Premier in a game packed with chances, outstanding saves and late drama.

The hosts made the breakthrough when Fiona Barry capitalised on a mistake from Lydia Sallaway, firing a superb left-footed effort from distance with the goalkeeper off her line.

Wrexham continued to threaten, with Mackenzie Haydn-Jones producing a brilliant close-range save to deny Katie Barker, while Fiona Barry twice came close from distance.

TNS doubled their advantage after Chapman raced down the wing and delivered across the box for Lexie Harrison, who calmly slotted into the bottom corner.

Wrexham hit back through captain Bartle, who powered a header home from a brilliant Knox delivery to score her first goal of the season.

The visitors then levelled as Natasha Thomas headed home after Haydn-Jones fumbled a deflected free-kick from Maria Francis-Jones.

But TNS had the final say. Barry produced another spectacular long-range finish to restore the lead, before Tiggy Webb made a remarkable clearance off the line to secure all three points.

---

This was a statement win for The New Saints

The New Saints have been building towards a serious title challenge for some time, and this victory feels like their biggest statement yet.

Beating Wrexham is impressive enough, but doing so at the home of the reigning champions makes the result even more significant. It also follows their victory over Swansea City, another side expected to be in the title conversation, underlining just how seriously TNS should now be taken.

It is now five consecutive wins for the Oswestry outfit, who have backed up their ambitions with an impressive recruitment drive. The arrival of players from Wrexham, alongside the likes of Fiona Barry and Nieve Rowbottom, has added quality and experience, while Caitlin Chapman is increasingly coming to the forefront.

With a win over Wrexham, they are now the ones to be chased, leading Wrexham by three points. It’s early days, but you’d rather be chased than be the chaser.

Snape and Iddenden make telling return to Wrexham

There was an added storyline before kick-off with former Wrexham players returning to face their old club after joining TNS in the summer.

Snape endured an early test against Katie Barker, who looked dangerous in the opening stages, but gradually grew into the contest and became increasingly assured as the game progressed.

Iddenden was quieter for long periods but remained a threat when TNS broke forward, particularly from counter-attacking situations and set pieces. Her understanding with Chapman was another important part of the visitors’ attacking threat.

Both players have settled quickly at TNS and showed why they have become important parts of a side firmly among the division’s leading contenders.

Chapman gives Wrexham a major problem down the wing

If Wrexham had one problem they struggled to solve, it was the pace of Caitlin Chapman.

The TNS captain repeatedly found space down the left, stretching Wrexham’s defence and forcing Harvey into difficult decisions. The pressure eventually resulted in a yellow card for the Wrexham defender after another dangerous run from Chapman.

And the breakthrough for TNS showcased exactly what Chapman brings.

She raced beyond Harvey before delivering a superb ball across the penalty area, where Lexie Harrison arrived to slot the ball past Farrell and make it 2-0.

Chapman’s performance deservedly earned her an assist, but it could easily have been more had several of her earlier chances found the target.

Wrexham defeated despite two-goal comeback

Wrexham pushed relentlessly throughout the game, but TNS repeatedly stood firm until a late flurry.

Haydn-Jones was particularly impressive, producing important saves to deny Barker, Natasha Thomas and many others, while the visitors’ defence remained composed under pressure.

Webb, Gibbs, Lewis and Rowbottom also made intelligent decisions to force Wrexham into set pieces, while Jones showed good judgement about when to come off her line.

However, the goalkeeper’s afternoon ended with what could have been a very different note.

As Wrexham had fought back to level at 2-2 after a deflected free-kick fell towards Natasha Thomas, whose header was fumbled by Jones and allowed the home side to earn a potential point.

She was soon rescued by her teammate Fiona Barry, who netted the winner.

Fiona Barry haunts Wrexham again

The forward had already opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range effort, and she repeated the trick late on with another looping strike which sailed over Farrell.

It means Barry has now scored in four of her last seven games against Wrexham, having previously caused problems for them during her time with Cardiff City.

Her two goals took her to nine league goals for the season, underlining why she is one of the division’s most dangerous forwards.

Wrexham had one final chance to rescue a point, but Tiggy Webb produced a sensational clearance off the line to preserve the victory.

For TNS, it was another statement performance from a side many will now regard as genuine title favourites.