Wrexham won their first ever Adran Premier title in emphatic fashion, beating reigning champions Cardiff City 4-1 at Cae Ras.

The home side had thrashed Swansea City 7-1 in midweek, meaning that Wrexham needed a victory to secure top spot in the league, and secure a first league title.

Katie Barker’s hattrick saw Jenny Sugarman’s side come from 1-0 down to win in style at Cae Ras, in front of 2,918 fans.

It has been a remarkable campaign for Wrexham, who only appointed Sugarman six weeks before the start of the season. The former West Brom boss set about transforming the squad with a host of new signings, including the likes of Jodie Bartle, Katie Barker, Mariam Mahmood and Faye Knox who have all proved pivotal to the side’s title win.

Barker in particular has set the Adran Premier alight and become the first player since the league’s restructure to bag 20 goals in a single campaign. The striker currently sits on a tally of 24 from 19 games, with one more match still to play.

The Bluebirds made a dream start as Mikayla Cook rifled a 20-yard free-kick beyond Liz Craven in the sixth minute. But Katie Barker capitalised on some sloppy play from the visitors to level proceedings on the stroke of half time.

Wrexham’s star forward latched on to Faye Knox’s cross before slotting into the net from close range to complete the turnaround three minutes after the restart. Knox got herself on the scoresheet in the 80th minute with a fierce strike to give the home side the breathing space they desperately craved.

Barker completed her hat-trick from the penalty spot just three minutes later as Jenny Sugarman’s side clinched the title in style at Stok Cae Ras.

Defeat for Iain Darbyshire’s side – who had Shannon Evans sent off late on – leaves the Bluebirds five points adrift of Wrexham with just one league match left to play this season. Cardiff take on Swansea City in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup final on 19 April as Darbyshire looks to sign off his tenure with silverware.

“It means absolutely everything,” Barker said after helping her side to secure the title.

“All our hard work has paid off and in the end we thoroughly deserved it. Today was a massive showpiece of why we deserve to be champions. Every time I put on this shirt I just want to do my best and I’m really happy with getting a hat-trick today.”

“Today’s game epitomised our season,” Sugarman added.

“Nothing has been easy, we’ve had to work really, really hard, but in the tough moments we’ve dug in and in the good moments we’ve enjoyed it. This club does special moments.

“That’s why I wanted to come and it’s why the players in that changing room wanted to be here.”

Wrexham will lift the Genero Adran Premier trophy following the conclusion of their final game of the season against The New Saints at The Rock on Sunday 5 April.

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