The Adran North and Adran South were back in action this weekend, in what was a full round of fixtures in the Genero Adran Leagues.
With sides in the north and south taking part in the Adran Trophy last week, they re-joined their Adran Premier counterparts in league action this week, and what a weekend it was.
Adran Premier
We start this week in Swansea. If you look at current form, perhaps not even the most passionate fan of Aberystwyth Town thought that they could take anything from their game against Swansea City, but they left with a point after thrilling game that ended 2-2. Things started in the worst possible way for the Seasiders, with Chloe Tiley putting the Swans ahead in the second minute.
But Aber grew in confidence as the half went and found their equaliser through a Libby Isaac penalty. The goal clearly gave Isaac an air of confidence, and she rifled in a magnificent effort from 25 yards to put Aber in the lead at half time. Swansea pressed and pressed for an equaliser throughout the second half, but resolute defending from the visitors thwarted them. That was until the 85th minute, when Sarah Adams found the bottom corner from close range, to rescue a point for the champions.
The result leaves Swansea in third, now five points behind the leaders. Aber remain in seventh, but they certainly look like a team who have found their mojo after a slow start to the season.
To the capital now, where leaders Cardiff City maintained their 100% record, but had to work hard for it, beating TNS 3-2. City got off to a good start. Ffion Price’s initial shot cannoned off the bar, but Zoe Atkins was on hand to score the rebound to put City ahead. This is a TNS side, however, that have a vigour about them this season, especially from an attacking perspective, and they equalised before the half hour mark. A lovely through ball from Caitlin Chapman found Chantelle Teare, who placed the ball in the bottom corner.
TNS would only remain level for six minutes, as the Bluebirds found their second. Siobhan Walsh played in Eliza Collie, and she scored her first goal for the club to take the Bluebirds in ahead at the break. Cardiff weren’t going to rest on the laurels and continued to attack the Saints at the beginning of the second half and were rewarded with a third goal through Phoebie Poole.
Yet again, TNS fought back and reduced the deficit through a Beth Lewis penalty. The Saints had chances to equalise, Lexie Harrison just firing over from close range. It just wasn’t to be for TNS, who had manager Andy Williams and Lucie Platt sent off in the second half, but they can be proud of their efforts against the league’s premier side.
To the early kick off on Sunday, and Cardiff Met maintained the pressure on their cross-city rivals with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Abergavenny Town. There was no doubt who the star of the show was in this one, as Emily Allen’s hat trick was enough to take all three points for the Archers. She got proceedings underway in the third minute, after Robyn Pinder played a delicate through ball into her, and she fired it past Charlotte Hastings.
The Pennies responded well and got an equaliser six minutes before half time. Ellis Lunn playing the ball to Meg Stanton, who curled it in from the edge of the area. The second half however was the Allen show. Firstly, firing in an effort into the bottom corner, before claiming the match ball nine minutes from time.
Met are still hot on the heels of City, while Abergavenny remain winless.
Our final stop in the Adran Prem takes us to Barrybados. There’s no doubting that Pontypridd United are becoming one of the most in-form sides in the league, with a professional 3-0 win against Barry Town United. In what was a cagey first half, Alison Witts, who seems to love scoring against Barry, rose highest to put Ponty ahead at the break.
The second came through Liv Francis, who channelled her inner Diego Maradona and ran from her own half to score a magnificent solo goal. Sub Renee Day put the cherry on top of the cake for James Fishlock’s side, who rise to fourth and kept their second consecutive clean sheet in the league. Barry remain in sixth.
Adran North
Two of the division’s titans went head-to-head in the Adran North, with Wrexham prevailing 5-2 over rivals Llandudno. Under the gazing eye of co-owner Rob McElhenney, the Red Dragons put in a dominant performance. League top scorer Rosie Hughes got the rout underway, converting a penalty nine minutes in, before Lili Jones scored two minutes later. Just as if it looked like Wrexham would run away with an easy win, Louisha Doran got one back in the 17th minute. Llandudno did well to hold out their opponents for the rest of the half, but their hard work was undone when Hughes fired in to make it three in first half stoppage time.
The fourth for Wrexham came courtesy of a magnificent free kick by Tonicha Dickens. Llandudno, to their credit, showed they still had fight in them and scored their second through Maddie Williams. But Dudno were eventually down and out in the 65th minute. Some slick passing allowing Ava Suckley to tap in to make it five, in what was an impressive performance from the hosts.
The side they are both chasing in the league table is Connah’s Quay Nomads, who continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 4-1 win over Llanfair United. A quick Nomads start put them in a strong position for the rest of the game. Goals from Kirstie Kural and Jennifer Haynes had them two up in quarter of an hour. Llanfair got one back before the half through Sarah Ellis, but it wasn’t to be for the away side.
Tamara Hamer and a second for Kural sealed a comprehensive win for the Nomads, who’s next league game will be against Wrexham, in what promises to be a mouth-watering affair.
There is no doubt where the entertainment was across the Adran Leagues this week, as Rhyl secured their first win of the season, beating Airbus 5-3 away from home. A penalty from Laura Williams put Rhyl ahead, only for Ceri Purvis to level the scores three minutes later. Williams scored her second on the stroke of half time, a goal that seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Wingmakers.
Rachael Nattrass and Rebecca Bannister scored after half time to put Rhyl in a commanding position. But Airbus fought back remarkably, and got themselves to within a goal of their rivals with goals from Tiffany Sands and a second for Purvis. When you thought that the epic comeback was on, Rhyl put an end to that and got their fifth six minutes from time through Tegan Crockett. Rhyl move to fifth, while Airbus are in sixth.
Adran South
There was a big clash in the south this week, as two of the league’s strongest sides, Briton Ferry and Cascade YC did battle, with the Ferry coming out on top with a 2-0 win.
Two first half goals did the damage. Chelsea Deacon scored in the fifth minute, before Lowri Riddings’ goal after the half hour mark sealed a solid victory for Briton Ferry. It certainly looks like the Fery could go on and win this division, and they will be confident of securing promotion back to Wales’ top-flight.
Our final game takes us Jubilee Way, and what a game it was, as Caldicot Town and Pontardawe Town produced a 6-4 game, the latter coming out on top. We saw four goals in the span of eight first half minutes. Sophie Topper opening the scoring, before Caldicot’s number nine equalised. But Pontardawe began to turn the screw, and a second goal for Topper and one for Caitlyn Cook had them in a 3-1 lead within the first 22 minutes. Caldicot, the league’s bottom side, refused to lie down, and got one back before the break through Rianne Jones.
Pontardawe reduced any fears of a Caldicot fightback, as Cook’s second along with one for Ffion Robinson made it 5-2. Unfortunately, Lucy McDonough’s goal didn’t muster a reaction in the Caldicot ranks, and Pontardawe’s Cook sealed her hat trick and her side’s sixth in the 68th minute. Hannah Foulkes did score a fourth for Caldicot three minutes from time, but the damage was already done.
Sunday sees the third round of the FAW Cup take place, with some intriguing ties taking place across the country.
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