Adran Trophy roundup: Round of 16

This weekend saw the round of 16 of the Adran Trophy being played out, and my goodness what a round it was.

When the draw was made, the possibilities for shocks was certainly on the cards, but I don’t think anyone could imagine the magnitude and significance of some results.

The only place we can start is down in Swansea. The tagline of a David v Goliath matchup is often overused, but when six-time league champions Swansea City faced Llandudno, who are currently placed third in the Adran North, it certainly deserves that title. And just like the old story itself, David came out on top, as Llandudno stunned the Swans 2-1.

Having held their opponents in the first half, Dudno went for the throat in the second, and broke the deadlock before the hour mark, India Hassall converting from a Louisha Doran pass. However, the hosts got themselves level three minutes later, Nieve Jenkins putting the ball in at the far post.

However, it was the visitors who had the last laugh, and they did it in style, as Kelsey Davies’ long range effort was enough for Llandudno to seal a famous win. For Swansea, they can now only focus on the league, having already been knocked out of both cups.

We head along the south coast next and to Jenner Park, where another Adran North side, Connah’s Quay Nomads, got one over their Adran Prem opponents, Barry Town United, with a hard fought 3-2 win. The Nomads went ahead at the quarter of an hour mark, Tamara Hamer’s speculative effort somehow looping over Erin Brennan. But Barry hit back in the space of seven first half minutes. Mackenzie Olden sprinted onto Holly Jenkins’ free kick and poked home before Manon Pearce’s curling effort found the bottom corner.

The quickfire Barry double seemed to put Connah’s Quay in a slight state of shock, but they turned it all round and grabbed an historic victory. Firstly, Kylie Jones rose highest to power a header in from a corner before player of the match Kirstie Kural converted a penalty after a Delia Ebbin handball. Barry had Ebbin and Taite Trivett sent off to compound their misery, and just like the Swans, their attention is now solely on the league. The Nomads sail on.

To the Adran North leaders next, where Wrexham put on a goalscoring clinic, as they dumped out Abergavenny of the Adran Prem 7-1. When you talk about game changers, look no further than the Red Dragons’ Rosie Hughes, who scored an astonishing six goals in this game, to take her tally up to 20 goals in all competitions this season. Hughes scored her first two in the first half, both low finishes into the corner. Amber Lightfoot added a third before half time, in what was looking like a dominant display from the hosts.

Hughes then scored two goals within a minute to take her up to four for the day, another low finish then complimented by a wonderful run round the keeper. The Pennies did get one back through Mia Sherrard, but it was nothing but a consolation goal. Hughes’ goalscoring exploits weren’t done there, as she scored a penalty and swept the ball in from a Lightfoot cross. No one, and I mean no one, will fancy taking on Wrexham in the next round.

To Taffs Well now, where third tier side Cardiff Wanderers took on Aberystwyth Town. The Wanderers were the only third tier side to reach this stage of the competition, and they can certainly be proud of their performance, but ultimately succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.

Gaining entry to this competition by virtue of a wildcard spot, the Wanderers took the lead in style. A looped through ball by Llywela Edwards found the run of Jade Crofts, and she executed a delicious chip over the on-rushing Elen Valentine to stun the Adran Prem side. Aber recovered from the shock and equalised through Amy Jenkins, who powered home in a crowded area.

The second half was end-to-end with Aber shading it on chances, but Cardiff really giving them a run for their money. In the end, Aber proved too strong for their opponents, as Sian Evans’ header and Libby Isaac’s finesse shot in the last 15 minutes sent them through, but there was no embarrassment in defeat for Cardiff Wanderers.

Elsewhere, holders Cardiff Met began their defence of the trophy with a 5-0 win away at Rhyl. The Archers got off to a rip-roaring start, scoring three goals within 15 first half minutes. Ellie Preece got proceedings going before Emily Allen scored two, to put the visitors three up before half time. Allen completed her hat-trick eight minutes into the second half, before captain Steph Turner scored the fifth, as the Archers got their campaign off to the perfect start.

Last season’s runners-up, Cardiff City, navigated a tricky tie against Adran South leaders Briton Ferry, as they won 3-1. The Ferry held the Bluebirds to a goalless first half, but City showed their class and strode to victory in the second half. Phoebie Poole and Meg Bowen scored two quick goals, before Zoe Atkins got the third five minutes from time. Lowri Baker did get one back in second half stoppage time, but it wasn’t to be for the hosts, and the Bluebirds march on.

TNS travelled south to take on Cascade YC, and they came out on top, romping home to a 5-0 win. It was a quiet first half with Lexie Harrison scoring the only goal, before the Saints showed their attacking prowess in the second half. Harrison’s second along with goals from Lucie Platt and two for Emily Ridge allowed TNS to cruise to a good victory, their first under Greg Draper.

Pontypridd United sealed their place in the last eight with a 1-0 win over Swansea University. The Dragons made a few chances to their line-up and were given a real test by the university side. In the end, Efa Preece-Jones scored in the 66^th minute to seal the win for Ponty, to round out the round of 16 fixtures.