Wrexham will stage their first Women's Champions League matches this week as the club hosts a qualifying mini-tournament at The Racecourse, and midfielder Lili Jones says a demanding warm‑up has left the squad prepared for the step up to European competition.
Preparation tested in tough friendly
Jones was speaking after Wrexham endured a 5-0 defeat in a preparation match against USL Super League side Sporting Jacksonville at The Rock. Despite the scoreline, she said the encounter had delivered useful lessons on resilience and match sharpness ahead of the tie with FC Pyunik on Wednesday evening.
“I think it’s going behind and finding that little bit of grit to keep going… We’ve got a bit of fitness, you know, and I think we feel ready to go into Wednesday, despite the result.”
Jones emphasised the value of minutes on the pitch: that cumulative game time and hard work in challenge matches can build the physical and mental endurance needed for tournament football. She highlighted the squad’s effort in the friendly and described the outing as a “good test”.
Racecourse to host qualifying mini‑tournament
The Racecourse will host multiple fixtures across the week as Wrexham stage the first qualifying round mini‑tournament. The club face FC Pyunik on Wednesday, kick‑off scheduled for 7pm. Earlier that day, Glentoran will meet Apollon at 1pm. The two winners will contest the final at 6pm on Saturday, while the third-place play‑off is set for 12pm earlier the same day.
- Tournament opening: Glentoran v Apollon, 1pm Wednesday
- Wrexham v FC Pyunik, 7pm Wednesday
- Third-place play-off: 12pm Saturday
- Final: 6pm Saturday
For the local community and supporters, the week represents a concentrated period of continental football at the county’s principal ground. The fixtures will determine which side progresses from the qualifying round and provide Wrexham with a first experience of European competition at home.
Context and immediate implications
While the heavy friendly defeat was notable, the coaching and playing staff can use the game to identify areas for immediate improvement before Wednesday’s kick‑off. Jones’s remarks suggested the squad’s belief that endurance and work ethic will be decisive in short, competitive ties where individual matches carry high stakes.
| Match | Date / Time |
|---|---|
| Glentoran v Apollon | Wednesday, 1pm |
| Wrexham v FC Pyunik | Wednesday, 7pm |
| Third-place play-off | Saturday, 12pm |
| Final | Saturday, 6pm |
Attendance and results across the mini‑tournament will shape Wrexham's immediate European trajectory. A win would mean progression to Saturday’s final at The Racecourse, while defeat would leave the club competing for third place in the shorter consolation fixture.
The arrival of international opposition and the novelty of European competition at the stadium will also be closely followed by supporters and local media. For now, the message from within the squad is that a demanding pre‑season test can stiffen resolve rather than diminish confidence.
Reporting from Wrexham, Poppy Moore, InfoRadar.
