After a heavy 3-0 defeat last week in Cardiff, Swansea’s women faced Wrexham this Sunday. A major challenge that Izzy Taylor’s players could not overcome, as they were beaten 3-1 on home soil.

It was a gala match on Sunday afternoon at the Swansea.com Stadium, which exceptionally opened its doors to the women’s team for the occasion. With such a magnificent setting and the mild October sunshine over Wales, everything was in place for 90 minutes of quality football. The Swans knew that back-to-back games against the league’s top two sides would be difficult. And indeed, the challenge proved too high.

After their clear defeat against Cardiff last week (3-0), Swansea’s players once again failed to keep up, this time against Wrexham. As early as the eighth minute, Wrexham broke the deadlock. Swansea goalkeeper Amelia Forkings, shaky on a few of her interventions, was caught off her line. Wrexham’s Ava Suckley saw it and punished her with a perfect lob from 30 meters out. Nothing the keeper could do (1-0).

Wrexham took control early

Just after Swansea’s first attacking move following the opener, Wrexham quickly recovered the ball and launched a counterattack. Katie Barker’s pace, which tormented Swansea’s defense throughout the game, made the difference. She finished clinically, giving Wrexham a 2-0 lead by the 12th minute. The traveling Wrexham supporters, present in large numbers, pushed their team on for a third goal that would have put the game out of reach.

Swansea, however, kept trying to get back into the game, though their attacks were often predictable and focused too much on the left wing. Eventually, midfielder Stacey John-Davis found the net in the 25th minute to bring the Swans back to 2-1. A hard-fought battle in midfield followed until the halftime whistle. Wrexham looked physically stronger, but Swansea’s technical flashes—particularly from John-Davis—helped them keep possession and avoid collapse.

After the break, Wrexham continued pressing and finally struck again through Lili Jones in the 59th minute. The English forward got the better of Swans captain Jess Williams and slotted the ball home. Swansea never managed to close the gap despite showing commendable spirit, which coach Izzy Taylor praised after the match.

With six points already separating them from the top, Swansea’s title hopes already look slim. Their main objective now will be to secure a top-four finish, which would qualify them for the second phase of the competition—where only the four best sides remain, carrying their points forward. Next week’s away game against The New Saints will be crucial to that aim.

Picture : Léo Billard