Report | Swansea City Women 2 Wrexham Women 3

Swansea City Women missed out on a place in the championship phase of the Genero Adran Premier as Wrexham struck a late winner to snatch the final top-four spot at Llandarcy Academy of Sport.

Wrexham had led  through Ava Suckley but the Swans responded quickly when Maisie Miller struck inside the box to make it 1-1. 

Abbie Iddenden restored the away side’s lead before the break, but Katy Hosford looked to have secured the point the Swans needed when she headed home an equaliser early in the second half.

But there was late drama as Erin Lovett scrambled the ball over the line to earn her side a place in the championship phase and ensure Swansea will not be on the title fight as the division splits.

The Swans had started the game positively, with Sophie Brisland-Hancocks and Lucy Finch both testing Liz Craven in the Wrexham goal within the opening 10 minutes.

Maddy Murray also tried her luck from distance, but she couldn’t find the target with her long-range strike.

Instead it would be the visitors who took the lead. Lili Jones’ initial shot was saved by Charlie Haynes, but Suckley was on hand to tap home the rebound.

The Swans produced an instant response, with Miller tucking away a tidy finish from Hosford’s corner to mark her first start with a goal.

However, just four minutes later Wrexham would be back in front. Iddenden broke through the Swansea defence before turning past Miller and powering a shot beyond Haynes.

Having trailed at the interval, again the hosts responded. Hosford got the Swans back level as she headed home her first goal of the season, connecting with Emily Thomas’ deep cross to power past Craven.

That set up a nervy final period of the game and there were chances at both ends.

Wrexham’s Iddenden let a chance at the near post go begging when she couldn’t convert Carra Jones’ cross.

The Swans were then somehow denied a third. Stacey John-Davis saw her header saved, and then rattled the crossbar as she acrobatically met the rebound, before Hosford had an effort cleared off the line.

Substitute Taite Trivett made a fantastic opportunity for herself when she burst into the box after a great run through the Wrexham defence, but her low effort was saved by the outstretched leg of Craven.

And the Swans would be made to pay for those missed opportunities when Lovett manages to get the ball over the line late on from a Wrexham corner to secure all three points.

Swansea City Women: Charlie Haynes, Lauren Davies (Sammy Wynne 68), Lucy Finch, Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, Maisie Miller, Katy Hosford (captain), Stacey John-Davis, Maddy Murray, Aimee Deacon (Taite Trivett 75), Emily Thomas (Caitlin Williams 75), Jess Williams.

Unused subs: Rachel Cullen, Emily Richards.

Wrexham AFC Women: Liz Craven, Erin Lovett, Abbie Iddenden, Brooke Cairns, Amber Lightfoot (Rebecca Pritchard 86), Carra Jones, Nat Clark (captain), Katie Sharp, Ava Suckley, Lili Jones (Rosie Hughes 76), Mari Gibbard (Keren Allen 86).

Unused subs: Phoebe Davies, Sienna Perry.