Wrexham win derby and Cardiff City prevail at CCS

After a handful of postponements last weekend, this weekend we saw a full fixture list, and all teams in the top two tiers were in action.

We had games in the Adran Premier and the final set of group games in the Adran Trophy.

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

Adran Premier

We begin with the late game of the day at Cardiff City Stadium. Cardiff City have had a blistering start to the season, winning four of their opening five games, and with players beginning to grow into last season’s form. Barry Town United notched up their first win of the season last weekend, and confidence was high. But there was nothing they could do to stop the rampaging Bluebirds, as City delighted the home fans with a 6-1 win.

It only took a minute for the first goal to arrive, and what a strike it was; Danielle Green cutting in before curling an effort into the far corner from range. They found their second only a few minutes later, as Siobhan Walsh headed in from a corner. But to their credit, Barry pulled a goal back midway through the half in stunning fashion, with Hana Bennett lobbing the ball over the keeper from long distance.

Only 2-1 down at the break, you felt Barry could do something in the second period, but they were blown away by the champions. Seren Watkins added her name to the list of wonder strikes in this game with a thunderbolt from range. Only a handful of minutes after, Molly Kehoe kept up her hot streak with a goal from inside the box.

Eliza Collie was the next to add her name to the scoresheet by pouncing onto a rebound, before there was a memorable moment for Tija Richardson, as she scored her first goal for the club she’s supported since she was a youngster. Lucy Attwood was sent off in stoppage time for Barry, but they were well beaten. The Bluebirds machine keeps rolling.

After suffering their first league defeat of the season last week, Aberystwyth Town were looking to get back to winning ways. Their opponents this week were Swansea City, who had won two straight games ever since Chris Church took interim charge of the team. That run stretched to three games, as the Swans swept aside the Seasiders 4-0.

After controlling the early phases, Swansea went ahead 15 minutes in. Nieve Jenkins’ pass cut open the defence, and Katy Hosford was on hand to slide the ball into the back of the net. Right on the cusp of half time, the lead was doubled. Jess Williams rose highest from Hosford’s corner to nod home. A great time to score for the visitors.

The tidal wave of pink pressure continued in the second half, as Swansea managed to score another two before full time. Firstly, Hosford found her second, after heading in a cross from Chloe Chivers, and Monet Legall finished off the rout, as she made the most of a loose ball bobbling about in the penalty area.

The win sets things up nicely for this weekend’s clash between Swansea and Cardiff, which will take place in Llandarcy. It’s back-to-back defeats for Aber, but they’ve still made an unbelievable start to the campaign.

To a momentous occasion at The Rock now, as the first ever North Wales Derby took place. After their home defeat to Cardiff City, Wrexham bounced back with a solid win against Aberystwyth away from home. Opponents TNS were coming off a narrow defeat to Swansea. The Saints woes would continue, as Wrexham came out on top with a 3-1 win.

Jabs were traded early on by both teams, but both defences snuffed out anything that came their way. That narrative would last until the midway point of the first period, as Wrexham stormed ahead. The returning Amber Lightfoot produced some good work on the edge of the box, before her pass across goal was turned in by Carra Jones.

Wrexham held a slender lead at the break, but they would double shortly after the game resumed. After a poor clearance from the TNS keeper, Rosie Hughes spotted an opportunity, and volleyed from range over the backpedalling Mackenzie Haydn-Jones. That was Hughes’ 100^th goal for Wrexham, and she reached the milestone in 46 games. Astonishing numbers.

The Red Dragons felt even more comfortable 20 minutes before the end, as they found their third. A through ball from Mari Gibbard was pounced upon by Jones, who fired the ball past the keeper to find her second of the game. TNS would score three minutes from time through a magnificent Helen Evans free kick, but it wasn’t to be for them. If one of the top two slip up on the weekend, Wrexham could really capitalise and move up the table.

Finally, to Cyncoed. After a shock defeat away to Barry, Cardiff Met were looking to recover. A fixture against Pontypridd United provided a good opportunity, especially as the Dragons hadn’t picked up a point yet in the Adran Prem. Their torrid start to the season continued, as Met picked up a slender 1-0 win on home soil.

The game was decided in the sixth minute, as a Met corner was headed into her own net by Shannon Hindmarsh. Chances did follow for both sides in the first half. Jasmine Turner saw her effort tipped round the post by Daisy Farrow, while Erin Murray went close to doubling the Met lead.

While the second half didn’t have as many chances as the first, Ponty almost got themselves a point in the final few minutes, but Grace Corne put in an excellent block to deny Nadia Lawrence. Met move up the table, but for Ponty, dreams of a top four finish certainly seem ambitious.

Adran Trophy

Group 1

The game to keep an eye on in this group was the Rhyl derby between NFA and Rhyl. In a tense and entertaining game, it was Rhyl who gained a valuable point, which sealed their place in the round of 16.

Laura Williams put Rhyl ahead, but first half goals from NFA, including one from Jessica Mills, meant it was they who held an unexpected lead heading into the break. Rhyl hit back in the second half with the all-important equaliser, which came through former NFA striker Sade Benjamin. The point enough to take them through into the next round.

Connah’s Quay had already booked their place in the next round but kept their 100% record in the group stages with a 3-1 win over Llanfair United.

Goals either side of the break from Alisha Wright and Amber Bailey had the Nomads in a good position, but Llanfair pulled one back through Harriet Davies. However, Bailey added her second before the end to secure all three points.

Group 2

The decisive game in this group came at Nantporth. If there was to be a winner between Bangor and Y Felinheli, they would advance into the next round. The game in the end finished 0-0, and it was the visitors who booked their place in the round of 16.

While the scoreline may suggest a turgid game, it was anything but, with chances falling to both teams. Bangor perhaps shaded the chances, and Menna Evans had a glorious chance to put them through, but her shot went wide. Perhaps Felin were lucky, but they won’t care one bit.

Elsewhere, Llandudno also made it three wins from three, as they humbled Airbus 9-2. Once again, the star of the show for Dudno was Stevie Donougher. The forward scored six (yes six!) in this one, meaning in eight games in all competitions, she has scored a jaw dropping 24 goals. Incredible numbers, and she’s certainly one of the most inform players across Wales.

Group 3

Swansea University made a good start to the season, and it continued as they secured their passage into the next round with a 2-0 win at home to Cwmbran Celtic. Two second half goals from Hannah Pinney was enough for the university team to go through, and they seem to be proving a few doubters wrong this season by playing an impressive brand of football.

There was another 100% group stage record, this time for Briton Ferry, who dispatched Cascade 3-0. There was a hat-trick for, who else, but Alison Witts in this one. Two in three first half minutes was followed by her third deep into second half stoppage time. That’s 18 goals in seven for Witts, who has fitted in seamlessly into this Ferry system.

Group 4

The game of the day was to be found in Aberbargoed, as Coed Duon went through into the round of 16 by the barest of margins, as they drew 3-3 with Caldicot Town.

The first half was dominated by Caldicot. Goals from Lara Gait and Jade Perry had them two up at the break and in a good position. If Caldicot won this, it would be them who would be in the hat for the draw.

Luana D’Ambrosio scored after the hour mark to reduce the deficit, but when Emily Humphreys scored a third for the visitors to put them 3-1 up, then things were looking bleak for the home side. Step up Rianne Jones. A nine-minute brace towards the end of the game ensured a point for Coed Duon, and a place in the next round. A thoroughly entertaining game.

Pontardawe Town had already secured their spot in the round of 16, and they ended their group stage campaign with a 3-1 away win against Llanelli Town. A brace from Keira Harris and one from Meghan Roles was enough to see off the West Wales side, despite Katie Mainwaring pulling one back for the home team to make it 2-1 at one stage.

The draw for the round of 16 phase of the Adran Trophy will take place at 8pm on Thursday 9^th November.

(Featured Image: Perry Dobbins)