Wrexham and Swansea City seal narrow wins, while Cardiff City stay top

This weekend saw the weather take a few games away from us in the Adran Leagues.

Rhyl vs. Y Felinheli, Connah’s Quay vs. Llanfair United, and Briton Ferry vs. Llanelli Town all succumbed to Storm Babet on Sunday.

Despite the postponements, we saw yet another incredible weekend in the Adran Premier, Adran North, Adran South, and the Welsh Cup.

Let’s have a look back at the week that was.

Adran Premier

We begin this week at Jenner Park. Heading into round five of fixtures, Barry Town United looked like a team out of form. They had lost all four of their previous fixtures, and last week suffered an early cup exit against Swansea University. A game this weekend against Cardiff Met certainly looked like a tricky affair, but the Archers were missing a few key players. Fortune would favour the brave on the south coast, as Barry gained a 4-2 victory, and in the process, their first ever win over Met.

Things started badly for the home team, as the ball fell fortunately to Amy Long in the box, and she calmly slotted the ball into the far corner. But less than a minute later Barry were level, as Aimee Deacon passed the ball past the onrushing Charlotte Smith. With a goal under their belts, Barry dominated the first half and added a further two goals. India Shanahan fired in from Taite Trivett’s cross, and along with a header from Holly Jenkins, Barry were in full control.

Their task was made easier when Grace Batsford was dismissed for Met with a second bookable offence, but out of nowhere, they pulled one back. Some sloppy play in the Barry backline allowed former Linnet Faith Mulenga to curl into an empty net. But alas, there would be no comeback, as Trivett capped off a superb performance with a well taken goal. Barry off the foot of the table and look like a team full of confidence.

Next to Park Avenue. Without a shadow of a doubt, Aberystwyth Town have been the surprise package of the season. Unbeaten after four games and with a young core beginning to develop, there is rightfully a lot of excitement in West Wales. Their opponents were Wrexham, who themselves were proving a lot of people on early on. The Red Dragons pulled off another surprise on Sunday, as they became the first team to defeat Aber, heading back up north with a 2-1 win.

Aber made a fast start to the game, as Amy Jenkins robbed the ball playing Wrexham defence high up the pitch, before firing into the roof of the net from distance. But what’s becoming very apparent this season is, you can’t keep Rosie Hughes out all day long, and she equalised midway through the first half; pouncing on a loose ball in the box.

The attack fest from both sides continued as the first half meandered to its conclusion, but before the referee blew to signal the end of the half, Wrexham got themselves ahead. Rebecca Pritchard capitalised on a rare error from Aber keeper Margot Farnes, and she poked in from close range.

Despite the rip-roaring first half, the second half was largely quiet. Aberystwyth did push forward to try and find an equaliser, but Wrexham’s centre-back pairing of Keren Allen and Louisha Doran stood tall and held on to all three points.

At Park Hall, we saw two of last season’s top four face off. Both TNS and Swansea City had a steady start to the season, on both looked well on course to battle once again for a place in the top four. Games between these two were often closely fought last season, and this was no different, with Swansea stealing a 2-1 win right at the death.

Swansea had a host of chances in the first half. Stacey John-Davies, Chloe Chivers, and Katy Hosford all went close, but nothing sailed into the Saints net. Tia Lockley went the closest for TNS, but she headed wide from a corner. Perhaps the quiet half an indication of just how competitive both teams are looking this season.

The Swans certainly had the better of the chances in the first half, and it was them who took the lead shortly after the hour mark. Nieve Jenkins’ pass into the six-yard box found John-Davies, who passed into the bottom corner. To think she sustained a terrible looking injury on the opening day of the season, John-Davies has made a great recovery to come back so quickly.

Their lead remained until the final six minutes, before TNS hit back in wonderful style. The ball broke to Ella Hartley around 30-yards out, and she picked her spot in the top corner, looping a stunning effort over Claire Skinner. With a draw looking likely, it was the Swans who would have the last laugh. Substitute Robyn Pinder produced a clever turn and shot which trickled into the net. That’s two wins in two for interim manager Chris Church, and Swansea look like a team that’s growing with each passing game.

While the race for the top four is hotly contested, sitting pretty at the top of the table heading into this week was Cardiff City. The Bluebirds are still on a superb unbeaten run and were showing no signs of slipping up. They made the short trip up to the Valleys to take on Pontypridd United, who were still winless this season. That run continued on Sunday, as the Bluebirds ran out 5-1 winners.

After making a good start to the contest, City went ahead in the 16^th minute. Eliza Collie found some space in the box and scored from close range. Ponty then suffered a quick double jab, as the Bluebirds scored two in a minute. Firstly, Siobhan Walsh opened her account for the season by heading in from Ffion Price’s corner, before the impressive Molly Kehoe drove the ball home to make it three before the break.

City continued their dominance in the second half by scoring another two before the hour mark. Seren Watkins’ long range effort sailed into the back of the net, before Mikayla Cook added her name to the scoresheet. Shannon Hindmarsh scored a consolation goal for Ponty, but they were well beaten. The game proved to be James Fishlock’s final one in charge of the club, who sit bottom of the table with no points. City remain top with a three-point lead over their nearest rivals.

Adran North

With Connah’s Quay out of action, Llandudno had a chance to go top of the table. They grabbed that offer with both hands, as they hammered Bangor 5-0 away from home.

It only took two minutes for Becky Jarvis-Evans to put Dudno ahead, as she finished a squared ball played to her by Stevie Donougher. Another three goals flew in before the break. Donougher, Ffion Owen and Stacey Tradewell, all found themselves in the goals column. The second half wasn’t as free flowing, but there was time for Jasmine Dutton to score from 30-yards out. The Llandudno machine shows no signs of slowing down.

There was cause for celebration in a small corner of North-East Wales, as Airbus got their first win of the season; a 1-0 triumph over NFA. The winner came shortly after the hour mark through Lucie White. Airbus only managed to pick up three points all of last season, but now find themselves on four points after four games.

Adran South

Cascade kept the pressure up on Briton Ferry, but they were made to work hard for it by Cwmbran Celtic, but they came away with a 2-1 win.

Molly Chapman kept up her good run of form by giving the away side the lead eight minutes in, and they held onto their advantage heading into half-time. But right on the hour point of the game, Cwmbran equalised; Fiona Anthony notching up her fourth goal of the season. But it was Chapman once again who came to the rescue, as she scored the winner 16 minutes from time.

Swansea University had the opportunity to go top of the table, but they were held to a goalless draw by Caldicot Town. Caldicot were the only team in the league yet to pick up a point, but they finally managed it in their fourth league game and kept a clean sheet in the process. Swansea Uni shouldn’t be disheartened, as they have still made an excellent start to the season.

There was also celebrations for Pontardawe Town, as they picked up their first win of the league season by defeating Coed Duon 5-0.

There seems to be no stopping Renee Day, who scored a brace in this one to make it seven goals in all competitions so far this season. Keira Harris also kept up her golden streak, while Catryn Cook and Sara Llewelyn also hit the back of the net. Coed Duon now sink to the bottom of the Adran South.

Bute Energy Welsh Cup

The first round of the Welsh Cup finally concluded this weekend, and it ended in some fashion, as Aberaman overcame Cardiff Wanderers 4-3.

Aberaman raced into a three-goal lead before the 25-minute mark, as Verity Hetherington scored two, and there was one for Sam Evans. But to the Wanderers’ credit, the fought their way back and grabbed two goals before the hour, Chloe Jones among the scorers.

Looking a little nervy, Aberaman once again stretched their advantage as Hetherington secured her hat-trick. Ellie-Mae Davies scored midway through the second half to make it an exciting finish, but Aberaman held on to the win, and they will now face a trip to Pontypridd United in the next round.

(Featured Image: Sam Eaden/FAW)