FAW Cup & Adran South roundup

The weather wreaked havoc across the country this weekend, but nevertheless, we still had some good matchups this weekend.

Two FAW Cup quarter finals and a feisty Adran South encounter were on the menu this week. Let’s take a look at how those matches shaped out.

FAW Cup

Both of the quarter finals that took place happened in the capital, and we begin by taking a trip to Leckwith. About a month ago, Cardiff City took on Abergavenny in the Adran Prem down at the Cardiff City Stadium. In front of over 5,000 adoring fans, the Bluebirds put on a show and came out as 9-0 victors. Down at the Cardiff International Sports Stadium this time round, those fans were happy again, as the holders went through to the semi-final with a 6-0 win over the Pennies.

For some periods in the first half, Abergavenny stifled their opponents, forcing them to not perform at the incredible standards that we’ve become so used to from Iain Derbyshire’s side this season. That was until the 22^nd minute. Evie Hughes made a good burst down the wing, and her cross found fellow wing back Lisa Owen at the back post, who stuck the ball past Charlotte Hastings.

Owen was making her first start in 10 months after becoming a mother for the first time, and it was a moment and a goal that warmed even the sternest of hearts.

City immediately pushed for a second and tried to put the game beyond doubt. Chances were coming, but no one could convert, until they were handed a golden opportunity three minutes from the break, after an Abergavenny player handled the ball in the area, leaving the referee no option but to point to the spot. Phoebie Poole stepped up and converted. 2-0 at the break.

The second goal seemed to break down the visitors, and in the second half the floodgates opened. Hughes, who was a real standout, scored directly from a corner to make it three. The fourth came through another youngster, Meg Saunders, who scored after Hastings parried a shot to her.

Substitute Lily Billingham was next in on the goalscoring spree, with a clever finish into the bottom corner. The final goal came through defender Hollie Smith, who put the ball home from another marvellous delivery from Hughes.

City march on, the treble still very much on.

From the riches of the Bluebirds, we now head to Llanrumney. If you want the story of this competition, look no further than Cardiff Wanderers. The third-tier side have shown what can be achieved by putting together a remarkable cup run, and a place in the semi-final was only a game away.

Standing in their way, however, were Briton Ferry, and the Adran South side have been in scintillating form. Unfortunately for the Wanderers, this was one game too far, and it’s the Ferry who sailed through to the semis with a 5-1 win.

From the off the Ferry asserted themselves onto their opponents and took the lead inside five minutes. Lowri Baker dinking the ball over Jordan Cleaver after a wonderful through ball from Laura-May Walkley. Lucy Powell then scored a stunning turn and volley on the edge of the area to make it two, a strike Tony Yeboah would have been proud of.

While the score line looks one sided, the Wanderers certainly gave a good account of themselves. Keeping their shape well and looking to stick to their philosophy of playing the ball out from the back, you could clearly see why they had reached this stage of the competition.

But after the second half started, Ferry had three. Ela Roberts with a sumptuous chip over Cleaver. Wanderers hit back through a composed finish from Jade Crofts, and they did apply some pressure onto Ferry as they hunted down a second and a possible third.

Yet, it wasn’t to be, as two quick Ferry goals put the result beyond doubt. Lowri Ridings rose highest from a corner, before Olivia Townsend’s driven effort made it five, and sealed a semi-final place for the Adran South leaders. No shame in this defeat for Cardiff Wanderers.

Adran South

With Briton Ferry in FAW Cup action, a chance was presented to Cascade YC and Pontardawe Town. A win for either side would draw them level at the top of the table with Ferry, and with the way they had been playing, a draw would be no good for either team. In a topsy turvy game, it was Cascade who ran out 3-2 winners.

It only took two minutes for the opener to arrive, and it came through Catryn Cook. Cook has been the league’s top scorer, and her eighth goal of the season made it 1-0 to the visitors. The first half remained quiet, and Ponty were ahead at the break.

Cascade needed a response in the second half, and they got it through Hannah Moger scoring after a good ball through by Bethan Lloyd. To the delight of the home fans and staff, who had done a brilliant job in sweeping snow of the pitch, they were ahead. Jess Pascoe with the finish.

As the game looked to be heading towards a hard-fought win for Cascade, there was a twist. Pontardawe’s Georgia Thorn equalised with a minute left to play, sending the away side into delirium. But Cascade were not letting this title get away from them that easily, and found their winner in stoppage time through Lloyd, a stunning game.

It’s all set up nicely for a Christmas clash next week between Cascade and Briton Ferry.