North East Wales

Molly Stephens
Final Score and 5 Live Sport reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea City's season is up and running with a win that was thoroughly deserved after countless chances for the hosts.

What was clear is that Sheffield United's brief was "defend" and Swansea City's was "attack".

This was made clear by a huge contrast in the opportunities in front of goal - Ruben Selles' side did not manage a single shot on target in the whole game.

Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux didn't have a save to make. No, the table doesn't matter right now, but it's hard to believe the Blades, who are rock bottom, were playing in the play-off final a matter of months ago.

Their opponents that day, Sunderland, have recorded their first win in their first game back in the top-flight.

Meanwhile Sheffield United lacked any sort of threat in front of goal.

The players looked completely dejected at full time, and that was only exacerbated when you see the faces of the clearly frustrated fans, who travelled 239 miles to watch their team come nowhere near a point in the 27 degree heat in South Wales.

Swansea, meanwhile, were dominant from the get-go.

Alan Sheehan's side thoroughly deserved the win. Chances in double figures, but, perhaps you'll then wonder, why not more than one goal?

Well it's the age old issue. They lack an out-and-out striker. Now that is no disrespect to Wales international Liam Cullen who played up front for the Swans against the Blades, but he is playing out of position trying to lead the attack as a nine, and is better with someone alongside him.

It's clear an additional striker is needed. Just the 16 days until Deadline Day.

But take nothing away from a game full of chances and a fanbase buoyed by an encouraging attacking performance.

Image source, BBC Sport

Wrexham have had a tough welcome to life in the Championship, with one-goal defeats against Southampton and West Bromwich Albion to start the campaign.

Phil Parkinson's side are not alone, they are one of five teams to be without a point after two Championship games.

They have also had to face two sides with promotion aspirations, and were not outclassed in either match.

After a 2-1 defeat at St Mary's Stadium to start the season, Wrexham returned to the Stok Cae Ras for two games this week.

Two injury-time goals from Ollie Palmer helped Wrexham come from 3-1 down against Hull City to force a penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, a shootout which the north Wales side would go onto win.

But hosting a second-tier game for the first time since 1981-82, Wrexham were beaten 3-2 by the Baggies on Saturday - and suffered an injury to Josh Windass in the first half.

The step up to Championship life was always set to be the most challenging for Wrexham, so how would you assess their start to the season?

Have your say here!

Image source, BBC Sport

Swansea City have bounced back from their opening day defeat against Middlesbrough with back-to-back wins.

The first came in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, as Swansea proved too strong for 10-man Crawley Town - setting up a second round match with Plymouth.

Then, more impressively, Swansea kept a clean sheet at home in a 1-0 win over Sheffield United.

New signings Bobby Wales and Ethan Galbraith both found the net in midweek against Crawley, while Ronald was on target in both wins.

Summer signings Cameron Burgess and Malick Yalcouye have impressed, while Zeidane Inoussa and Melker Widell have both made impacts off the bench.

So after one win and one defeat in the league, and success in the Carabao Cup, how do you rate the start to Swansea's season?

Have your say here!

Image source, FAW

Wrexham have announced the departure of Amber Lightfoot, Rebecca Pritchard and Katie Sharp.

Winger Lightfoot came through the Wrexham academy and made a huge impact on the senior side, scoring 37 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions in her first two seasons.

Pritchard, who featured on the wing and at full-back, scored Wrexham's play-off final winning goal back in 2023 to seal the club's promotion to the Adran Premier.

Centre-back Sharp leaves as the club's longest-serving player, having made her debut back in 2019.

All three were among the first 10 Wrexham players to be given semi-professional contracts for the 2023/24 season.

"We'd like to place on record our appreciation for the trio's contributions whilst at the club," said a Wrexham Women post on social media.