Briton Ferry and Connah’s Quay start cup campaign with victories
Credit: Perry Dobbins
The Adran North and South took a brief pause this week, as the Adran Trophy got underway.
Every team across the two divisions were involved this weekend, and we take a look at how the first round of games unfolded.
How does it work?
The first stage of the competition is a group stage phase for teams in the Adran North and South. The teams are split into four groups of four. The groups are regionalised, therefore there are two northern groups, and two southern groups.
Teams will only play each other once, with the top two advancing in each group into the round of 16. There, they will join teams from the Adran Premier, and the rest of the competition will not be subject to regionalisation.
North Group 1
After victory on the opening day of the league season, Connah’s Quay got their cup campaign off to the perfect start, with a 6-0 thumping of NFA. It was a blistering first half from the Nomads, as they scored four goals before the break. 16-year-old Phoebe Ellis scored her first goal in the Adran North last week, and after being selected to start this game, scored a first half brace. She also assisted Shannon Hobbs, while Amber Bailey also got herself on the scoresheet.
Not to be outdone by the youngster, Hobbs stepped up in the second half and scored another two, as she claimed her hat-trick. A solid start from Jord Parry’s side, who already look like securing a place in the next round.
Sitting at the top alongside Connah’s Quay are Rhyl, who travelled to Powys and defeated Llanfair United 6-2. It only took two minutes for the Lilywhites to find the opener, as Sade Benjamin found the back of the net. She would score another two in the game to join Hobbs with three goals so far this tournament.
There were also goals for Alicia Duke, Rachael Nattrass, and Llio Davies in the big win. Nattrass in particular had a stormer, recording four assists alongside her goal. Llanfair did score second half goals through Emma Williams and Harriet Davies, but the damage was already done.
North Group 2
There were also six goals scored by Felinheli, as they stole an early march in group two with a 6-2 win over Airbus. Five goals were scored in the first half. Jenna Allsup notched a brace, while Fflur Williams and Kelly Jones all found the back of the net for the home side, with Catrin Ellis scored for the Wingmakers.
Catrin Evans also scored a brace in the second period, as Y Felinheli put in a strong performance. Airbus did score one more in the second half, but it’s back-to-back defeats to start the season for them.
There wasn’t much of a goal fest at the OPS Wind Arena, but Llandudno recorded an important first win in the competition, a 1-0 triumph over Bangor.
Stevie Donougher netted five times last week, and she kept her hot streak going with the all-important goal in this contest. Dudno travel to Felinheli next week in what should be a fascinating contest. It’s a narrow defeat again for Bangor, but there are signs that they will do very well this season.
South Group 3
Briton Ferry scored a remarkable eleven goals last week, and they scored another handful of goals this weekend, as they put Swansea University to the sword with a 4-0 win.
The student side did a very good job at holding onto a clean sheet in the first half, but a goal from Mollie Jones right on the stroke of half time really seemed to dent their confidence. The goals started rolling in the second half, as Alison Witts recorded a brace, and Manon Thomas scored her first goal of the season.
This was also Ferry keeper Courtney Young’s 100th game for the club, and she celebrated by keeping yet another clean sheet.
Following Ferry stride for stride are Cascade, as they also came out of their game with a 4-0 win, with Cwmbran Celtic on the receiving end.
There was no doubting who the star of the show was in this contest, as Molly Chapman scored a hat-trick to really set her side on course for victory. Altogether, an astonishing three players scored hat-tricks in the first round of matches. Erin Parry also added a goal to her name in this one.
Cascade meet Ferry in the next round of games in the Adran Trophy, a game not to be missed.
South Group 4
After losing 11-0 on the opening day of the Adran South season, Pontardawe Town responded in the perfect manner with a 4-2 win at home to Caldicot Town.
Jess Bessell put Caldicot ahead, but Pontardawe scored four unanswered goals to put themselves in pole position for the win. There was a double for Renee Day, along with a goal for Catryn Cook and substitute Sara Llewelyn.
Lucy McDonough scored late on to reduce the deficit for the visitors, but it’s been a shaky start to the season for them.
Also claiming a win this weekend was Coed Duon, as they downed Llanelli Town with a narrow 2-1 win.
After a goalless first half, captain Katie Williams scored Coed Duon’s first goal of the season from the penalty spot, before sub Sian Rees scored a stunning goal to double the lead. Betsan Morgan pulled one back late on for Llanelli, but it was too little too late.
The next round of group games take place on October 1st.
