Genero Adran Leagues roundup: Matchday 8

All Adran Leagues were back in action this weekend, with pivotal games taking place in every corner of the country.

Whether you wanted a cross-city rivalry, goals, red cards, or dramatic late goals, this weekend’s edition of the Adran Leagues catered for your every need.

Adran Premier

We start our roundup in the capital and where two of the league’s inform teams went head-to-head. Cardiff City still hadn’t lost a game this season, while Cardiff Met have had a good resurgence since their opening day defeat to Swansea. In the end, it was the Bluebirds who kept up their unbeaten run, as they defeated the Archers 3-1.

If you’re looking for the league’s signing of the season, I don’t think you can look any further than City’s Rhianne Oakley. Since arriving from Swansea, she has ignited something in this team, and her pace is so difficult for any opposition to deal with. Therefore, it was no surprise that it was her who scored two goals in the first half to put City ahead: one a clever finish into the bottom corner, and the other a good header from a corner.

Met had put City under pressure early on, but the game was getting away from them, and their misery was further compounded when Danielle Broadhurst fired in from close range to make it three. Met pulled one back with a penalty from Erin Murray 20 minutes from time, but the damage was already done. City stay top and undefeated.

Next to North Wales and to an intriguing matchup. Before the season started, both TNS and Pontypridd United had top four aspirations, and their early season form suggested that they were both on course to achieve their goals, therefore a win for either side here would do them a world of good. However, it ended 2-2 at Park Hall.

TNS opened the scoring just after the half hour mark. Emily Ridge continuing her fine run of goal scoring form of late, sweeping the ball into the net after a clever cut back from Chantelle Teare. But, after half time, the game ebbed into a different phase, a phase of Ponty dominance, and they were ahead ten minutes after the break. The first was a good finish from Alison Witts, and for the second Witts turned provider for Jasmine Turner, and Ponty were ahead.

The Saints pushed for an equaliser throughout the half, and two minutes from time, they found it. A Teare corner found a rising Isobel Redding, who’s header was powerful, and gave Ponty keeper Maisie Jones no chance of saving, as the points were shared.

Next, we head west. Two and a half weeks ago, Aberystwyth Town and Barry Town United met at Jenner Park, with the south coast side coming out on top in a close fought battle. Revenge was certainly on the cards for Aber, and they certainly delivered, as they thumped Barry 5-1.

The game was over in the first half as Aber went on a goal scoring spree, scoring four in the first half. It only took them three minutes to open the scoring, Emily Thomas poking home in a crowded area. Ten minutes later their lead was doubled, Shauna Chambers running through the defence and powering home her effort. Gavin Allen’s side were certainly enjoying their football at Park Avenue and found their third through Rebecca Mathias. Aber’s fourth came five minutes before the break, as Ffiona Evans held off Barry defenders in the area to send the Seasiders into a state of ecstasy.

Barry needed a response in the second half, so it was no surprise that it was league top scorer, Mackenzie Olden, who got one back for the Town quarter of an hour before the end, but their work was undone as captain Lauren Harris received a red card two minutes later. Aber took full advantage and got their fifth through an incredible Amy Jenkins free kick. A remarkable day for Aberystwyth, one for Barry to forget.

On Wednesday night, Swansea City came out on top away at Abergavenny Town, with a 3-1 win. It was the Pennies who went ahead with an Eliza Atkins goal a minute after half time. But Swansea showed their prowess and went on to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Jessica Williams, Katy Hosford, and Nieve Jenkins all scoring within an 18-minute span to put the game well beyond their opponents, who remain anchored to the bottom of the table. Swansea, after the weekend’s results, move up to second.

Adran North

We have new leaders in the Adran North and it’s none other than the Red Dragons of Wrexham, as they swept aside Airbus with a 9-0 win. The star of the show without a shadow of a doubt was Amber Lightfoot, who scored four goals in this one. She scored two in the first half along with two for Ava Suckley and one for Tonicha Dickens.

Lightfoot scored another two in the second half, but not to be outdone by her teammate, Suckley also completed her hat-trick. There was also a goal for Rebecca Pritchard, who recorded three assists in this game to become the league’s top assister, as Wrexham look in fine form. Airbus remain without a point this season.

The other game that took place in the Adran North emanated from the Belle Vue Stadium, where Rhyl won their second game of the season, with a 2-0 win over bottom of the table Llafair United. In a tight encounter, goals from Rebecca Bannister and Niomi Taylor was enough to gain all three points for the Lilywhites. Llanfair United remain bottom and have a crunch match next weekend against fellow strugglers Airbus.

Adran South

We finish our roundup with the sole game in the Adran South, and it was Cascade YC who came out on top, with a 4-1 win away to Swansea University. Sian Rees kicked proceedings off with the opening goal ten minutes into the contest, before Anneliese Lewis scored their second 18 minutes later.

Cascade picked up where they left off in the second half and found their third, another goal for their top scorer Lewis, and it was no surprise that Lewis went on to complete her hat-trick just before the hour mark to complete take the game away from the university side. Angelika Barris got one back, but it was nothing more than a consolation goal, as Cascade keep the pressure on Briton Ferry.