Cardiff City players head the list for Adran Premier Team of the Season
CARDIFF, WALES - 16 APRIL 2023: 2022/23 Genero Adran Premier fixture between Cardiff City FC Women & Swansea City Ladies at the Cardiff City Stadium. (Pic by Perry Dobbins/FAW)
This season has been a truly outstanding one in the Adran Premier, as Cardiff City stormed their way to the title with an unbeaten season.
There have been standout players across the division this season, and today, we pick our Adran Premier Team of the Season.
Goalkeeper: Ceryn Chamberlain (Cardiff City)
Chamberlain has been the clear standout in this division this season. Not only a more than capable shot stopper, but she can also play with the ball at her feet, and her speed off of her goal line makes it a difficult task for any opposition attacker to score. Chamberlain has kept seven clean sheets in total, the highest in the league. I imagine for a Cardiff defender she is a joy to have in goal, and I’m sure she’ll continue her fine form into next season.
Honourable Mention: Chelsea Herbert (Swansea City)
It’s been a solid season for Herbert in the Swansea net. Keeping five clean sheets this season, she has had her standout moments this season, as her and the rest of the Swansea defensive unit only conceded 20 goals this season.
Centre Back: Isobel Redding (TNS)
What’s impressed me most about TNS this season has been their spine, and Redding is a big part of that. Her awareness and positioning has been phenomenal this season, and she is also a threat in both boxes. With Redding only being 18-years old, she will only improve as a player, and as TNS get better season on season, she will be vital to their plans for success.
Honourable Mention: Holly Broad (Pontypridd United)
The Pontypridd defence has looked assured all season, and their captain Broad has been excellent. Her command of the back line is always on show, and as Ponty look to secure a top four finish next season, Broad will be leading the line once more.
Centre Back: Siobhan Walsh (Cardiff City)
Simply outstanding. I don’t think there’s anything Walsh can’t do. Defensively, she makes everything look so simple. She’s always in the right place to make a tackle, and if she’s not, the desire to get back and make a last-ditch challenge is nothing short of admirable. Attacking wise, she’s a constant danger when it comes to set pieces, scoring a jaw dropping eight goals from centre half. For me, a prime candidate for Player of the Season.
Honourable Mention: Shaunna Jenkins (Swansea City)
There aren’t too many defenders like Jenkins in this league. She is so physical when it comes to her defensive duties. It’s been another good season for the Swan, and I’m sure she’ll have another one next season.
Centre Back: Hannah Power (Cardiff City)
Power is a real Rolls Royce kind of centre back. On the ball she is so calm and collected, and always picks out the right pass. Alongside Walsh, she has been excellent in the Cardiff back line, a team that have only yielded twelve goals all season. She always gives a 7/10 performance in every game, and going into the Champions League, she will no doubt match up well against her European counterparts.
Honourable Mention: Elin Jones (Aberystwyth Town)
Such a shame that Jones tore her ACL this season because she was having a stormer. For such a young player, her command of the defence is so impressive, and she always gave 110% every game. I hope she can come back stronger next season after her injury.
Wing Back: Ffion Price (Cardiff City)
Price is up there with Walsh in terms of nominees for Player of the Season. I don’t think there is a better deliverer of the ball in the league than Price, and that’s backed up with her 17 assists this season. We all know what she can do further up the field, but defensively, Price has been just as good. Sometimes she’s been called in to play centre back and she looked a natural in that position too. Another remarkable season.
Honourable Mention: Beth Lewis (TNS)
Lewis shares many similar attributes to Price, and those attributes have shone through this season. She puts in so much effort every game and her work is tireless down the right side.
Wing Back: Danielle Green (Cardiff City)
Green was moved from her normal position further up the field to one a little further back with more defensive duties, but you’d never know that this has been her first season as a wing back. She has slotted seamlessly into the new system the Bluebirds are playing, and she has been the perfect partner for Price. Very rarely do you see Green have a bad game.
Honourable Mention: Evie Hughes (Pontypridd United)
Since moving to the USW Sport Park, Hughes has added a different dimension to Ponty. Her movement and trickery down the left side has caused problems for teams in phase two, and going into next season, she is certainly one to watch.
Centre Midfield: Seren Watkins (Cardiff City)
There is no better defensive minded midfielder in the league than Watkins. Sitting in front of the defensive, her ability to sniff out danger and to put in a hard challenge is great for any manager. She also isn’t afraid to wind up her opponents, and she can score screamers when required, like she did against TNS. She is the player that makes this City team tick.
Honourable Mention: Hana Bennett (Barry Town United)
It’s been a season to forget for many down at Jenner Park, but Bennett has been top drawer. She shares so many qualities with Watkins, and anyone coming up against her this season knows they’ve been in a game.
Centre Midfield: Caitlin Chapman (TNS)
We go back to the TNS spine, and Chapman has come on leaps and bounds this season. She is so creative and has conjured up so many chances for TNS attackers. With 13 assists this season, she only trails Price in the charts. Really excited to see if she can go to another level next season. If she can, she will certainly be discussed for Player of the Season honours next year.
Honourable Mention: Tija Richardson (Cardiff Met)
I think Richardson has really stepped up a level this year. She has become more of an attacking force for the Archers this season. While Met will not be best pleased with how they’ve performed, I think Richardson can be proud of her work this season.
Forward: Liv Francis (Pontypridd United)
To think this is Francis’ first season of playing women’s football is mind boggling. She plays like a player beyond her years. Her dribbling, her speed, her finishing ability, a player like her does not come along often. She has been unstoppable at times this season, and with eleven goals and four assists, I think she’s a shoe-in for Young Player of the Year. If her first season was this good, lord knows what next season will look like.
Honourable Mention: Emily Ridge (TNS)
It was a slow start for Ridge, but she has turned into a real poacher for TNS this season. With ten goals, she is someone Greg Draper can rely on, and if she scores another ten next year, with all the other pieces TNS have, special things may be on the horizon.
Forward: Stacey John-Davies (Swansea City)
I don’t think anyone has had a better second half of the season than John-Davies. She scores crucial goals, she can score any way you want her too, and she is just so clinical. With 15 goals this season she is the league’s top scorer, but with seven assists too, we’ve seen her creative side come out as well. Yet another great season for the Swansea forward.
Honourable Mention: Phoebie Poole (Cardiff City)
It’s been another fine season for Poole. With 13 goals this season, she has proved once again how much of a threat she is in front of goal. Her pace is enough to scare any defender, and it will be so interesting to see how she performs on a European stage.
Forward: Katy Hosford (Swansea City)
I don’t think there are many players who are as influential to their team than Hosford is for Swansea. If there’s a lull in a game, Hosford can drag Swansea into life with a stunning goal or a clever assist. She is the only player in the league to record double figures for both goals and assists. The captain has really been a shining light for Swansea, and while they may not have performed to the lofty standards that they set, Hosford has certainly reached the highest of levels this season.
Honourable Mention: Rhianne Oakley (Cardiff City)
What a revelation she has been for the Bluebirds. Moving her further up the field, we see just what Oakley is capable of, and the partnership of her and Poole this season has been lethal.
