Welsh Football Roundup – January 22nd
Rhianne Oakley of Cardiff City celebrates scoring her sides first goal. Cardiff City v Abergavenny in the Genero Adran Premier at Cardiff City Stadium on the 16th November 2022. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
After cup weekends and bad weather, there was a full compliment of fixtures across the top three divisions this weekend.
Cold weather and frozen pitches did take two matches away from us in the Adran Premier, but there was still a variety of games for us to enjoy.
Adran Premier
With the Adran Prem hurtling towards its league split, Aberystwyth Town knew that a win this weekend would really put them in the race for fourth. Standing in their way were Cardiff City; still unbeaten and their eyes firmly set on the title. In a really entertaining game, the Bluebirds came out on top 5-1.
It was the Seasiders who took the lead. Gwenllian Jones’ corner somehow found its way directly into the back of the net, a shock was certainly on the cards. However, the game turned on its head before the break, as Kelly Thomas was shown a straight red for a challenge on Ffion Price.
Iain Derbyshire put pacey forward Rhianne Oakley on the bench for this one. She was introduced at half time and wasted no time in making an impact, as she fired home from Price’s cross to put the visitors on level terms. Price herself then scored an exquisite second to put the Bluebirds ahead.
From then on, the quality of City shined through. Phoebie Poole scored her eleventh of the season, as she coolly finished from Zoe Atkins’ through ball, before Captain Marvel Siobhan Walsh scored two in the space of three minutes, as Cardiff secured a comfortable win, but Aber made them sweat for it.
With Swansea not playing this weekend, Cardiff Met had an opportunity to close the gap on the top two, if they could beat Barry Town United, and they did just that with a tremendous 8-1 win.
The game was over in the first 20 minutes if truth be told. An Emily Allen hat trick along with two for Tija Richardson really put the Archers in a strong position. While Allen and Richardson will get the plaudits for their goals, the likes of Ellie Preece, Erin Murray and Robyn Pinder all contributed to an irresistible attacking performance.
Barry did hit back at the start of the second half, as Mackenzie Olden punished a mistake made from Met keeper Amelia Forkings, but the Archers got back into their stride as they scored three more goals in the second half. Allen bagged her fourth, along with one each for Preece and Kennesha Nanette.
Ten points now separate the top three, and with Swansea and Met having a game in hand over Cardiff City, the title race could be very interesting. Barry, on the other hand, know they will be playing for the Plate in phase two.
Adran North
The top three were all in action this week in the Adran North, and leaders Wrexham maintained their 100% record with a 6-0 win away at Y Felinheli.
For a bulk of the first half, the hosts were restricting the leaders well. But their buckle broke seven minutes from time, as Libby Mackenzie put the table topping Red Dragons ahead. Then, Amber Lightfoot produced a mesmeric and Messi-esque performance. She grabbed Wrexham’s second on the stroke of half time, before scoring another three goals in the space of twelve second half minutes.
Lily Whitefoot scored the sixth on her debut for the club, but it was another assured performance from Wrexham.
Connah’s Quay Nomads kept the pressure up on their rivals with a 5-0 victory over Y Rhyl. Kirstie Kural scored the only goal of the first half, before seizing her second just before the hour mark to relax the crowd at the Deeside Stadium.
Shannon Hobbs, Meg Andrews and Ella Harvey all netted for the Nomads to seal the big win, as they kept the gap at the top of the Adran North table to two points.
Llandudno also kept up their aspirations for the title with a 2-0 win over Airbus. A goal from Jasmin Dutton 18 minutes into the contest, followed by a second half goal for Sioned Phillips secured a routine victory.
With a game in hand on their rivals, Dudno will fancy their chances of upsetting the applecart for sure.
Adran South
With leaders Briton Ferry not in action this weekend, there was an opportunity for Cascade YC to draw themselves level at the top of the table, but they stumbled to a 2-2 draw against a spirited Swansea University side.
Daisy Evan-Watkins put the home side ahead from the penalty spot, and the hosts went into the break with a 1-0 lead. Yet, their lead was quickly erased at the start of the second half, as Katie Horsburgh equalised for the uni side.
But as quickly as it took the students to draw level, Cascade were ahead again, thanks to the ever present Annaliese Lewis. As it looked like Cascade would take all three points, Isabel King scored in the 93rd minute to scupper the celebrations for Cascade, who are two points off the top.
Finally, Pontardawe Town got their first win since late October, with a 6-1 win over Caldicot Town. Renee Day got proceedings going with her first goal for the club with the only goal in the first half.
Keira Harris got the second straight after half time, but a Sarah Sprintall goal for Caldicot would have nerved a few people at Parc Ynysderw.
They need not have worried, as Pontardawe went on a scoring spree in the second half. Goals from Sophie Topper, Catryn Cook, Paige Crosby and Sara Llewelyn secured all three points, as Pontardawe stay in third. Caldicot remain at the bottom of the table.
