Wrexham go top, Swansea City stutter and Cardiff City get back to winning ways

Another week rolls by in the Adran Premier, and yet again, we were treated to an excellent weekend of action.

Along with a full fixture list in the Adran Premier, we also had the second round of fixtures of the Adran Trophy. Let’s take a look at the weekend that was.

Adran Premier

Already two weeks into the new season, and newcomers Wrexham seemed to be adapting to life in the top division very well. After a win away to Pontypridd last weekend, the Red Dragons and their fans made another trip down south, this time to face Barry Town United. Barry hadn’t won either of their opening two fixtures, and that run stretched to three, as Wrexham strode to a 5-1 win.

No doubting who the star of the show was at Jenner Park, and that was Rosie Hughes. Hughes netted three in the first half, with two of those coming off her head. She added two well taken goals in the second half, and Wrexham flew to the top of the table.

Barry did look dangerous at times, but they lacked that clinical edge. Lucy Attwood did score a stunning goal in the dying stages, but it was a bad day at the office for the Linnets. For Wrexham, confidence seems to be flowing across the whole team, and they will relish taking on anyone in this league.

After securing a draw against the champions last week, Aberystwyth Town certainly had a swagger about them. Their opponents this weekend were Pontypridd United, who like Barry, had lost their first two games. Some armchair pundits had already pencilled in Aber to get relegated this season, but those predictions are starting to look foolish, as they recorded a 2-0 win to go second in the table.

The old guard have performed admirably for the Seasiders over recent years, but you really feel the youngsters are starting to take this team to a different place. Niamh Duggan, who returned to the club after a stint at Reading, scored her first for the side with a composed finish, before Lleucu Mathias scored her second of the season at the beginning of the second period.

Aber really seem to be flying. For Ponty, it really hasn’t been the start to the season they were looking for, and James Fishlock will want to see a reaction from his team sooner rather than later.

The Welsh saying, “Bwrw Hen Wragedd a Ffyn”, has never been more apt to describe the game between Cardiff Met and Swansea City. Conditions were dreadful, but it was the Archers who shined the brightest, as they recorded their first win of the season with a 3-1 victory over the Swans.

Ellie Preece raced away from the defence, but her one-on-one chance was well saved by Claire Skinner. However, the save fell straight to Ingrid Ådland, and she was able to lift her strike into the roof of the net. After a good half, Met were reliant on goalkeeper Charlotte Smith in the second half, and she made tremendous save after tremendous save to keep her side ahead.

Met would be rewarded for their stout defending, as Preece guided a well struck effort into the bottom corner. Swansea responded with ten minutes to go, as Katy Hosford pulled one back, but Erin Murray deep into stoppage time tapped in from close range. A magnificent first win for Daniel Delahay.

Finally, we head to Leckwith and the home of the champions. After failing to score against Aberystwyth and with key players missing, perhaps there were questions lingering over this Cardiff City team. Their opponents this week were TNS, who were playing their third away game in a row. Bluebirds fans would be left with no concerns at full time, as they defeated the Saints 3-1.

Eliza Collie got off the mark for the season 20 minutes into the contest, as she converted from Rhianne Oakley’s terrific through ball. Their pressure on TNS’ goal continued throughout the half, and they were rewarded before the break, as Molly Kehoe curled an outrageous shot into the top corner. A goal of the weekend contender.

TNS have improved season upon season, and they pulled one back nine minutes into the second period, with Chantelle Teare heading in from a corner. Following on from Teare’s goal, the game became open, with chances flying in for both teams. It wouldn’t be until stoppage time until we saw another goal, as Collie put the game to bed by converting Oakley’s cross. City now move level at the top of the table with Wrexham and Aberystwyth.

Adran Trophy

Group 1

Connah’s Quay continued their unbeaten start to the season and took control of Group 1 with an 8-0 win away to Rhyl. There may not be a more inform striker in the top two divisions than Phoebe Ellis currently. She converted a rebound ten minutes from the break to make it seven consecutive games with a goal. Elana Harley added a second before the break, as she finished off from a Shannon Hobbs pass.

Rhyl had defended well in the first half, but the floodgates well and truly opened in the second half. Ellis added another goal to her tally, Shannon Hobbs bagged a brace, while Harley scored another three to take her tally to four for the afternoon. A job well done to the Nomads.

The other game in group 1 between Llanfair United and NFA was postponed.

Group 2

Llandudno became one of the first teams to book their place in the round of 16 of the Adran Trophy, after a 5-0 win away to Y Felinheli.

It was a whirlwind first half for Dudno, as they ran wild over the hosts. Stevie Donougher opened the scoring, before adding her second before the break, as she swept in from Maddie Williams’s pass. Williams herself would then turn goal scorer, while Erin Doran smashed home from range to put them four up at the break. Kelsey Davies came off the bench to add a fifth in the second half, as they travel back to the seaside town in top form.

Elsewhere, Airbus and Bangor played out a 1-1 draw at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium. The Wingmakers were ahead on the half hour mark through Meleri Jones, but Menna Evans hit back before the break to seal a draw.

Both know they need to win in the final group game to stand any chance of advancing to the next round.

Group 3

Briton Ferry continue to steamroll over every opposition they come across, as they dismantled Cwmbran Celtic 10-0.

It’s fair to say Alison Witts is enjoying life with the Ferry, and she had a brace 15 minutes into the contest. Jess Denscombe, Lowri Ridings, and Fleur Jenkins added to her goals in the first half, as they held a commanding lead at the break.

Their relentlessness continued in the second half, as Witts scored her hat-trick; her second treble of the season, and she’s only played four games so far. Denscombe scored her second, there were two for Lowri Baker and there was one for Laura-May Walkley, as Briton Ferry sit on the cusp of the round of 16.

The other game in this group took place on Thursday night, and it was Swansea University who sprung a shock, as they defeated Cascade 3-2 away from home.

Hannah Moger had given the home side the lead in the first half, but the complexion of the game changed midway through the second, as captain Katie Davies received a red card. Swansea Uni took full advantage, scoring three goals in the space of ten second half minutes: Hannah Pinney and Angelika Barris among the scorers.

Annaliese Lewis scored with four minutes remaining, but it was too little too late. With a game remaining, the university team have a great chance of advancing along with Ferry.

Group 4

Pontardawe Town were the second team to book their place in the round of 16, after they beat Coed Duon 5-2.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Keira Harris was the star of the show in this one, as she scored four goals: two in the first half, and two in the second. Renee Day kept up her good form, as she added the fifth for Ponty.

Rianne Jones scored a brace for the Dragons, who still sit in a good position to go through into the next round.

Finally, Caldicot Town and Llanelli Town played out a 1-1 draw down at Jubilee Way.

Llanelli led in the first half through a Nikola Kujawska goal, but a Lara Gait penalty meant the shares were spoiled on the day. Both still have a chance to go through into the next round, but they know only a win will do.

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)