Cardiff City one game away from invincibility and TNS record impressive win
We have reached the penultimate weekend of the league season and the league tables are reaching their final order.
There was plenty of goals and plenty of action across the country this weekend, let’s have a look at how it all unfolded.
Adran Premier – Championship Conference
We start this roundup at Cyncoed. Having wrapped up the league last week, Cardiff City were now looking to go invincible for the league campaign. Up against them were a Cardiff Met team who hadn’t won a league game or scored a goal in the Championship Conference. The Archers’ wretched run continued, as the Bluebirds prevailed 2-0.
The first half saw City on the front foot, as they had numerous chances to take the lead. Both Zoe Atkins and Rhianne Oakley were denied by the frame of the goal, while the likes of Ffion Price and Lisa Owen down the wing were putting dangerous balls in the box, but Met were equal to them.
Their barricades would be broken, however, at the start of the second half. Za’Khari Turner made a good initial save to deny Oakley, but the ball came out nicely for Eliza Collie, who tapped in from close range. Collie would bag her second 15 minutes later. The youngster raced through the heart of the Met defence before producing a cool finish.
City now only need to avoid defeat against Swansea at the Cardiff City Stadium to go the whole season unbeaten.
Speaking of Swansea City, this weekend saw them travel north to take on TNS, as they aimed to finish their season on a high after losing out on the title. The Saints had other plans for the Swans though, as they recorded an impressive 2-1 win.
It was an end-to-end start to the game, but it was TNS who break the deadlock just shy of the half hour mark. Lucie Platt’s shot hit the hand of a Swansea defender in the box, giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. Up stepped captain Beth Lewis and she sent Klaudia Wojtyczka the wrong way. Swansea did level before the break, as Katy Hosford’s stunning 25-yard free kick looped into the back of the net.
If this Championship Conference has taught us anything, is that TNS are more than capable of mixing it up against the league’s top sides, and they found their winner 15 minutes from time. A clever ball from Danielle Staley found Emily Ridge, who tucked the ball in from close range to take her league tally to double figures. A great win for Greg Draper’s side.
Adran Premier – Conference Plate
The only thing left to sort in the Adran Premier was the destination of the Conference Plate. Pontypridd United were in pole position to seal it and needed a point this weekend away to Barry Town United to secure the plate. It wasn’t a pretty way to do it, but they drew 1-1 with the Linnets to seal the plate.
Before Sunday’s game, Barry announced that Sean Wharton had stepped away from the club, and that Dafydd Williams had been appointed as interim manager until the end of the season. The hosts played without fear and, after a quiet first half, they took the lead shortly into the second half; Sophie Norman heading in from Holly Jenkins’ corner.
Pontypridd responded well and had chances through Liv Francis and Alison Witts, but it was Witts who eventually pulled Ponty level with an exquisite touch and finish. James Fishlock’s side will lift the trophy in their final game on Sunday.
With the Dragons wrapping up the plate, Aberystwyth Town knew they had finished in sixth place for the season, but they won their fourth game in a row, and kept their fourth consecutive clean sheet, as they defeated Abergavenny 3-0.
The Seasiders scored all three of their goals in the first half. Emily Thomas was the first name on the score sheet, as she danced her way through the Pennies’ defence before her effort was deflected into the net. Shaunna Chambers has been having success with long range shots recently, and her run continued, as her lovely low effort found it’s way into the bottom corner. The scoring was wrapped up by Amy Jenkins in the 38th minute.
Aberystwyth will be hoping to make it five in a row when they travel to Pontypridd on Sunday. Abergavenny’s final Adran Premier game this season will be at home to Barry.
Adran North
The Adran North season ended on Sunday, with Llandudno trouncing Llanfair United 5-1, to secure a third place finish this season.
Sofie Owen got proceedings underway four minutes in, but Llanfair equalised three minutes later, Harriet Davies with the goal. But after the frantic start, Llandudno took control and strode to a big win.
Goals for Erin Doran, Rebecca Jarvis-Evans, Maddie Williams and Sioned Phillips helped Llandudno to a strong finish in what has been another brilliant season in the Adran North.
Adran South
Without a shadow of a doubt, the game of the day came in the Valleys, as the newly crowned Adran South champions Briton Ferry came out on top 5-3 against Cascade YC.
Meg Kearle scored two goals within a minute to have Ferry in a good position, but Molly Chapman reduced the deficit down to one. Despite scoring, the lead was quickly extended again five minutes later, Laura-May Walkley putting the visitors ahead 3-1 at the break.
With this being their last home game of the season, Cascade wanted to put on a show, and they managed to get back level with quarter of an hour remaining. A second for Chapman along with a goal for Chrystella Moreton making for a showcase finish.
As the game looked like it would end in a draw, Walkley popped up with a sweetly struck side footed effort to make it 4-3. Manon Thomas scored a fifth in the 98th minute to put the game well beyond doubt, as Briton Ferry lifted the trophy in style.
