Wrexham came out on top as they convincingly beat TNS 3-1 in the North Wales Derby at The Rock.
Carra Jones scored twice in between Rosie Hughes’ stunning effort to give the Red Dragons the win despite a late effort from Helen Evans.
Steve Dale’s side drop down to third despite the win but create a five-point gap over Aberystwyth Town.
It was an energetic start from the hosts as they utilised the flanks. Lili Jones switched the ball to Carra Jones and she crossed to Amber Lightfoot with her effort going just past Mackenzie Haydn-Jones.
In what was a stop-start affair, Louisha Doran was cautioned for a barge on Emily Ridge with pressure from the visiting bench to show a red. TNS shaded it in terms of possession, and Beth Lewis’ cross to Helen Evans nearly caused problems for Delyth Morgan.
Wrexham took the lead having had the better of the chances early on. Lightfoot played a delicious threaded ball to Carra Jones, and she showed composure to slide her shot past the goalkeeper.
The hosts pushed for a quick-fire second and went near when Tonicha Dickens free-kick just over halfway found Rosie Hughes who flicked her header just past the post.
TNS tried to force a response and from 20 yards, Caitlin Chapman played a through ball to Emily Ridge but her shot was comfortably saved by Morgan.
In another attack, Roșie Hughes put in a troubling cross and Haydn-Jones fumbled it as she first tried to gather the ball but did enough to prevent Lightfoot from profiting on her initial error. Wrexham looked the likeliest to score next as Lightfoot swept a shot at goal but it was well saved.
TNS had several half-opportunities to draw themselves level first with Isobel Redding’s flicked header going straight at the goalkeeper. In the last action of the first period, Chantelle Teare first hit a sliced shot that caused Morgan problems and then her rebounded effort whizzed past the post.
Wrexham furthered their advantage in fine fashion through the influential Hughes, who scored her 100th goal for the club. Hughes had cut a frustrated figure before her goal but after a failed clearance from TNS she looped an effort over Haydn-Jones.
TNS struggled after falling further behind, and first goalscorer Carra Jones continued to cause problems. She laced a shot at Haydn-Jones who had to palm her shot away.
Wrexham’s attacking prowess proved too much for TNS who fell further behind. Mari Gibbard tackled and played a through ball to Carra Jones for a one-on-one in which she came out on top.
TNS pulled a goal back to try and set up an interesting finish. Helen Evans’ hit her free-kick superbly and her effort cannoned off the post and beat Morgan.
Wrexham: Delyth Morgan, Phoebe Davies, Louisha Doran, Rebecca Pritchard, Rosie Hughes, Tonicha Dickens, Amber Lightfoot, Carra Jones, Lili Jones, Keren Allen, Mari Gibbard.
Yellow Cards: Louisha Doran 5, Rebecca Pritchard 35′
TNS: Mackenzie Haydn-Jones, Beth Lewis, Nicole Samson, Chantelle Teare, Tia Lockley, Caitlin Chapman, Helen Evans, Isobel Redding, Lia Lewis, Emily Ridge, Evie Williams.
Yellow Cards: Tia Lockley 40′
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