Chris Church | Win a fantastic way to start phase two

Swansea City Women’s interim head coach Chris Church was delighted to start phase two of the Genero Adran Premier with a 3-2 victory over Wrexham, and praised the control in their performance.

The Swans got themselves ahead early when Steph Turner headed home her first goal of the season nine minutes in.

But Wrexham were level just a minute later, Amber Lightfoot finding the bottom left corner to equalise.

Swansea got back in front just before the break, Katy Hosford’s mazy run finding her space to fire a shot into the roof of the net and make it 2-1.

The Swans suffered a setback early in the second half when Stacey John-Davis was forced off the field following a poor challenge from Phoebe Davies.

But Hosford soon had her second goal, heading home a great cross from Ellie Lake for her 18th of the season.

Carra Jones pulled one back for the visitors in added time, but the hosts would not be denied and Church was delighted to resume league action with three points.

“I’m really happy, I thought it was a fantastic performance,” he said.

“We controlled the ball from the get-go, we conceded two goals but they are two goals we can easily eradicate.

“I think they are a good outfit and they deserve to be where they are at, but when we get into our stride we are a match for anyone.

“Katy [Hosford] is really starting to become prolific in front of goal, but we have others chipping in as well. You’ve got Steph [Turner] coming up all the way from left-back to get on the end of a cross.

“I thought Steph [Turner] did really well, she kept the winger quiet and played football the way we know she can and she should take confidence from the performance going forward.

“We pride ourselves on our possession football with an end product, there are times where you need to have that control and with the ball I thought we were great, and then without it we were aggressive and in their faces.

“Even after the setback of losing in the semi-finals of the cup, we are right back on it and we have responded really well ahead of an important run of games.”

The loss of John-Davis with what appeared to be a shoulder injury was a blow for the Swans, and Church says they will wait to see the extent of the problem. 

“It was really disappointing to lose Stacey [John-Davis], she’s been finding herself on the scoresheet lately so it would have been incredibly disappointing for her,” he said.

“We will assess her, but knowing Stacey I’m sure she will work hard to be back as soon as she can.”