March 29, 2024

Y Clwb Pêl-droed

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Cardiff City and Briton Ferry one win away from titles

With only three weeks until the end of the season, results are now becoming more important than ever.

There was a full fixture list in the Adran Premier, along with a handful of matches in the Adran North and Adran South. Let’s see how it all unfolded.

Adran Premier – Championship Plate

We start at the Cardiff International Sports Campus. In last week’s Adran Trophy final, Cardiff Met shocked everyone by defeating Cardiff City. A new Archers formation was very difficult for the Bluebirds to break down, and ultimately Met’s tactical nous shone through. This weekend, City knew what they were facing a got their revenge with a thumping 9-0 win.

It only took six minutes for the Blues to breach the opposition defence. Danielle Broadhurst stretching her neck out to nod in Ffion Price’s cross. A Seren Watkins penalty ten minutes later had them in the driving seat. The rampant Bluebirds weren’t done scoring in the first half. A brace from Rhianne Oakley along with one for Eliza Collie meant they went into half time 5-0 in front.

Collie, who came in for Phoebie Poole, was having a blinder of a game, and finished off with four goals. Her three second half goals, along with a header from Meg Bowen, wrapped a brilliant City win. Worth mentioning too that Ffion Price had an eye-opening four assists in this game.

The win means that Iain Darbyshire’s side are one win away from their first league title in a decade.

With the Bluebirds continuing their win streak in the league, the only thing Swansea City could do was to keep winning their games, and they did so with a 4-1 win over TNS.

It was a rapid start from Ceri Phillips’ side, as Katy Hosford put the Swans ahead 29 seconds into the contest. But, TNS have shown they can hang with the biggest teams in the division, and got themselves level ten minutes later, as Lucie Platt converted from Chantelle Teare’s cross. But there’s not many players in the league currently in as much form as Stacey John-Davies. The forward’s two goals in three minutes had the Swans in a comfortable position going into the break.

Monet Legall’s goal in the second half sealed a good win for Swansea, who can now only hope Cardiff City have a major slip up in the run to the title. TNS stay fourth and look likely to stay in that position come the end of the season.

Adran Premier – Conference Plate

Things were starting to look a bit bleak for Barry Town United. Without a win since October and without a point since the start of December, they were in danger of going out on a real low, and a trip to Pontypridd United is never easy, especially as they looked like clear favourites to win the Conference Plate.

However, the Linnets put a stop to the rot with a 0-0 draw at the USW Sports Park. Ponty perhaps had more chances, as Anais Trinci and Holly Broad went close, while Taite Trivett hit the post for the visitors.

The result means that Barry need one more point from their remaining three games to ensure their Adran Premier survival.

Barry Town United v Abergavenny in Adran Premier League at Jenner Park on 26th February 2023. Credit: Perry Dobbins.

With the Dragons dropping points, it presented Aberystwyth Town with an opportunity to close the gap as they try and win the Plate. Their opponents this weekend were Abergavenny, who knew if they had any chance of survival, that wins were a must from now until the end of the season.

It was the Seasiders who made it back-to-back league wins for the first time since November, as they left Pen-y-Pound Stadium with a 1-0 win. A first half strike from Emily Thomas enough for all three points.

The result means Aberystwyth are only six points behind Ponty with three games left. For Abergavenny, if they fail to win their next game, they will be relegated from the Adran Premier.

Adran North

There was only one game in the Adran North this weekend and it came at Mount Field, as Y Felinheli claimed their fifth win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Llanfair United.

The game was decided in the fourth minute with a goal from Jordanne Greenhough, who’s now scored four goals in her last five league games.

The result means that, going into the final day, Felinheli need a point against Rhyl to guarantee themselves a credible fourth place finish, while Llanfair United will finish the Adran North in sixth place.

Adran South

Briton Ferry are now one win away from claiming the Adran South title, after a 3-1 win away at Pontardawe Town.

It was an even first half, with Chelsea Deacon putting Ferry ahead, but an equaliser from Sophie Topper certainly made those of a Ferry persuasion slightly nervous going into the break.

However, their nerves were calmed three minutes into the second half, as a bullet header from Laura-May Walkley put them ahead. It was another header that secured Ferry’s third and ultimately crucial goal, this time it came from Lowri Baker.

Perhaps it wasn’t Briton Ferry’s most convincing performance of the season, but it shows that even when they’re not playing at their free flowing best, they can still get results.

Cascade YC are still in with a chance of winning the South but will need results to go their way after a 3-1 win over Swansea University.

First half goals from Bethan Lloyd and Casey Thomas put Cascade in a strong position, and Lloyd’s second in the second half settled it for the hosts. Shelbie Parker-Smith scored her first goal of the season for the student side in the second half, but it wasn’t enough.

Briton Ferry will win the South if they beat Caldicot Town on Tuesday night.

Featured Image: Perry Dobbins Photography

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