A quarter final place is at stake as Steve Dale’s side take a breather from their league efforts.
With four consecutive wins under their belts, Wrexham have built up terrific momentum and stand in second place in the Genero Adran Premier. They will need to stay on their toes against northern rivals who are in second place in the division below.
Rosie Hughes has scored in all but one of Wrexham’s games this season, and will want to maintain that run as she’ll be suspended for the next league game as a consequence of her injury time dismissal last weekend in Cardiff.
Erin Lovett has been absent for the last two games at left back, necessitating a reshuffle of the back four. There could be more disruption after skipper Keren Allen suffered a worrying head injury at Cardiff Met last Sunday. Katie Sharp, who has impressed when given an opportunity this season, is ready to deputise.
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Llandudno enjoyed an excellent start to the season, winning their first 3 games of the season and racking up 23 goals in the process. That set up a top of the table clash at home to Connah’s Quay last Sunday. The Nomads had also won all their games, and they came out on top with a 2-0 win on the coast.
Dudno look like they’re going to be Connah’s Quay’s main title rivals this season, but this result continued a poor run of results against the Nomads, having lost 4-0 to them near the end of last season.
They lost key players last Summer – most crucially Louisha Doran, who made the move to Wrexham, of course – but have brought in some interesting reinforcements. Australian striker Stevie Donougher arrived from Bangor, having scored 27 for them last season. It’s fair to say she’s picked up where she left off, as she has scored a phenomenal 24 goals already this season, after just 8 games! Airbus will be particularly sick of the sight of her: she put 4 past them in the league, and then three weeks later traveled to Broughton in the Adran Trophy and helped herself to another 6!
Further experience has arrived in Katie Spruce and Megan Robinson, but equally importantly, Llandudno have held onto the services of Maddie Williams, who might reasonably be considered to be the best creative player in the Genero Adran North. A consistent scorer and provider of assists, her combination with Donougher will be a threat Wrexham will have to be aware of.
Louisha Doran will be at the heart of the defense which needs to repel Donougher, and has extra motivation for this match. Not only is she playing against her old club – as is Mari Gibbard – she’ll also be up against her sister, Erin. Erin’s exploits as she led Penrhyn Bay to consecutive U15 Welsh Cup Finals singled her out as one of the nation’s most promising youngsters, and at the age of 17 she has already impressed with her creativity and ability to beat opponents.
OTHER 2ND ROUND FIXTURES
We’re guaranteed at least two teams from outside the top division in the quarter-finals, which is the point at which the regionalized nature of the competition so far ends.
There are no all-Adran Premier ties, and Swansea University’s reward for knocking Adran Premier Barry Town United out on penalties in Round 1 is an away tie to unbeaten leaders of the top division, Cardiff City.
| North Section | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rhyl | in | Aberystwyth Town |
| The New Saints | in | Felinheli |
| Wrexham | in | Llandudno |
| South Section | ||
| Pontardawe Town | in | Briton Ferry Llansawel |
| Pontypridd United | in | Aberaman |
| Penybont | in | Cascade YC |
| Cardiff City | in | Swansea University |
| Cwmbran Celtic | in | Swansea City |
The Bute Energy Welsh Cup Round 3 draw will be broadcast on RedWall+ at 8pm on Friday 17 November.
