A tough test awaits as we travel to a challenging venue.

The Wrexham Angle

So far so good. Now we face a stiff challenge at Briton Ferry. Our record against them is excellent – we’ve won 7 of the 10 encounters between the sides – but it’s rarely straightforward, especially at Old Road. Still, we have quality in abundance, and look to have handled the problematic extended pre-season remarkably well.

Last weekend’s victory against Barry was spectacular and comprehensive. Once again we emphasised that we are tactically flexible, switching back to a back three to pen Barry in and stretch them with the wing backs Maria Francis-Jones and Mikayla Cook outstanding.

Jodie Bartle was absent as a consequence of the injury she picked up blocking a Halie Richards cross at Cardiff a week earlier, but you would that was more of a precautionary measure than anything else. Clearly we’ve got exceptional strength in depth in that position, which has been added to by the welcome return of Mikayla Wildgoose. However, the specific challenge posed by Briton Ferry, the most direct, physical side in the Adran Premier, means Bartle’s quality, leadership and character would be invaluable in facing up to them. They certainly won’t be parking the bus: winning individual duels, bravery on the ball and the capacity to constantly be dealing with balls played over the top of our defence will be prerequisites.

Expect a return to a back four, with Lydia Sallaway’s defensive qualities at left back more important than they often are in the Adran Premier. There are interesting decisions to be made higher up that flank with both Cook and Ava Suckley in fine form. Suckley will surely relish a chance to renew acquaintances with the indomitable Lowri Ridings.

Known injuries: Jodie Bartle.

Possible debuts: –

Last Season

The View From The Other Side

Briton Ferry will be targetting a top four finish this season, but an eye-catching opening day result has yet to be followed up with a win. When they won 4-1 at Barry confidence was high, especially with a home game against newly promoted Cardiff Met, who had lost their opening game of the season, up next. They should have won it – hitting the woodwork more than once and missing a penalty – but instead ended up losing the lead to draw 1-1. A 3-2 defeat at Cardiff followed as The Bluebirds earned their much-needed first points of the season.

Briton Ferry link

When they failed to finish in the top four last season their manager Rhys Thomas stepped down, and Rhys James, the architect of the club’s rise to the Adran Premier, stepped in until the end of the season. He was never intended to be a permanent solution though, and Ferry have promoted from within, appointing youth coach Mark Murison as the new manager. That guarantees a level of continuity for a club with a clear identity on the pitch and a reputation for loyalty. Their side is settled: nine of the starting eleven from their promotion play-off defeat to us in 2023, plus two of the subs.

On appointment, Murison told the club’s official website of his excitement at the challenge, and his belief in the ability of the set-up of a club to sustain its top flight status.

“I was really attracted to the role because of the ambition of the club and the direction it is heading in. Having already been involved with the club through the academy, I have seen first-hand the quality of work being done and the strong foundations that are in place. There is an excellent youth setup here, which I believe can support the first team in the years to come.

“When I spoke to the club, it was clear there’s a real desire to build something sustainable and competitive. With the combination of a strong pathway for young players and a committed environment, it felt like the right place for me to come in and help move things forward.”

Katy Hosford has arrived from Swansea as the main summer addition to Ferry’s squad, having taken maternity leave last season. She made her first start last Sunday at Cardiff, but other experienced players were absent in the form of playmaker Megan Kearle, skipper Ridings and goalkeeper Courtney Young. Young was the only player from a club outside the top four to be selected in the Adran Premier’s Team of the Season, with the goalkeeper conceding just three goals in the six matches of the Plate Phase of the campaign.

Known injuries:

Possible debuts:

Potential Milestones

Lizzie Craven’s 50^th Wrexham game.

Ava Suckley needs 3 more goals to become the second player to score 50 goals for Wrexham. Only Rosie Hughes has scored more.

Katie Barker needs 3 more goal involvements to reach 50 for Wrexham. Only Rosie Hughes, Ava Suckley and Amber Lightfoot have more.

Wrexham have won our first four league games of the season once, in 2022.

Wrexham have never won our first four league fixtures in the Adran Premier.

Wrexham have never been involved in a goalless draw.

Wrexham’s record against Briton Ferry: P10 W7 D1 L2

Biggest win against Briton Ferry: 6-0 2025-26

Biggest loss against Briton Ferry: 0-3 2024-25

Biggest away win against Briton Ferry: 5-2 2025-26

Biggest  away loss against Briton Ferry: 0-3 2024-25