Another weekend is in the books in the Adran Leagues, and there were plenty of movers and shakers.
Despite Storm Isha taking a few games away from us, there was still a lot of football to enjoy this weekend from all three leagues.
Let’s take a look back at the week that was.
Adran Leagues round-up
Adran Premier
We start with the late game at Cardiff City Stadium. Cardiff City have been looking unbeatable and not many have laid a glove on them. Wrexham were the visitors to the national stadium, looking to cement their position in the top four. But there was nothing they could do to stop City, as the Bluebirds sealed a 3-0 win.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to take the lead, as inside ten minutes, Eliza Collie capitalised on a defensive mix-up and chipped the ball into an empty net. It could have been more shortly after, but Charlotte Bolland was on hand to tip efforts onto the bar from both Collie and Seren Watkins. But there was nothing the keeper could do to stop the second from going in before the break. She failed to parry Molly Kehoe’s shot away from danger, allowing the unmarked Collie to tap in at the far post.
The second half was incredibly quiet with neither side able to fashion out any clear chance. Even with the introduction of Rosie Hughes for Wrexham, they looked second best and couldn’t react to second balls quick enough. The game would eventually be taken out of their grasp completely with ten minutes to go, as Mikayla Cook’s cross was stabbed home by Tija Richardson.
A comprehensive and professional win for City, who are looking impossible to stop at the moment.
Next to Jenner Park. There’s certainly a sense that there’s a new belief and opportunity within this Barry Town team. Having now added two serial trophy winners in Catherine Walsh and Danielle Broadhurst, there was certainly a chance Barry could rise up the table. Opponents TNS have a good record against Barry, but there were absolutely blown away on the seaside, as Stevie McCarthy-Campbell’s side won 4-1.
The game was only four minutes old when Barry netted their first goal. A sweeping move saw them inside the Saints box early on. India Shanahan saw her shot deflected out to Broadhurst, who was able to tap home in acres of space. The joy and passion was clear for all to see in the ground. This was a new beginning for so many.
With a tetchy and scrappy first half coming to an end, Barry stepped up their game and went into a different gear in the second half. Aimee Deacon’s good pressing work allowed her to deflect the goalkeeper’s clearance into the net, Chloe Tiley scored directly from a corner, before Amelia Herbert rounded off an incredible second half by getting on the end of Lucy Coles’ cross.
There was to be a very late consolation goal for TNS as Lia Lewis scored from distance, but it’s back-to-back defeats for the Saints, who will be looking over their shoulder now. For Barry, it certainly feels like more than a win, and they will now head to Cyncoed next week to take on Cardiff Met, looking to do their first league double over the Archers.
To the Valleys for our final Adran Prem game of the weekend. Pontypridd United announced that former Wales assistant manager Claire O’Sullivan was their new manager, and her first task in charge was against high-flyers Swansea City. Despite a strong showing, Swansea’s quality shone through, as they picked up a 2-1 win away from home.
As perhaps expected, Swansea started the game the brighter of the two. Katy Hosford struck the post, while Stacey John-Davis saw her effort saved well by Klaudia Wojtyczka. But they would eventually find a way through midway through the first half. Robyn Pinder’s cross wasn’t dealt with by the Ponty defence, and the unfortunate Clare Daley could only turn the ball into her own net.
If their first goal was fortunate, their second was anything but. Another Pinder cross this time picked out Hosford, who somehow curled a howitzer into the far corner. A goal of the highest order by a player who is simply in her prime.
But Ponty responded well and did pull one back. A Jasmine Turner free-kick found the head of Ffion Simmonds, who scored her first goal for the club and only Ponty’s sixth of the season. They couldn’t, however, find the all-important second, as Swansea held on to keep the pressure up on Cardiff City.
Adran North
After climbing to the top of the table last week, Llandudno stretched their lead over their rivals with a 6-1 win over Llanfair United.
A solid first half for the Seasiders led to three goals and three different scorers: Erin Doran, Jasmin Dutton, and Kelsey Davies. The second half, however, belonged to substitute Ella Jones, who scored a hat-trick. Llanfair top scorer Mary Bailey did score a consolation goal to make it 5-1, but it was a day for Dudno to remember.
It must be noted, however, that Llanfair only played with ten players and had no substitutes to call on.
Elsewhere, Airbus and Rhyl played out a 0-0 draw. The result keeps Rhyl fifth, while Airbus move off the bottom of the table.
Adran South
With Briton Ferry not in action, Cascade took full advantage and returned to the top of the Adran South with a 5-0 win over Llanelli Town.
There were two assists for Ellis Lunn in the first half, as she set up both Annaliese Lewis and Lauren Boyd to make sure Cascade went into the break two up. Lewis would add her second, while Mia Kemp also bagged a brace to wrap up a solid victory on the road.
Game of the day came at Celtic Park, as Cwmbran Celtic and Swansea University played out a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Hannah Perkins had given the students the lead on the half hour mark, and that was how it remained until the break. But seven minutes into the second half, Jade Crofts levelled proceedings. Soon after, Celtic had a two-goal lead thanks to goals from Eloise Meaney and Fiona Anthony. It could have been more for the home side, but Meaney couldn’t convert from the penalty spot.
But Swansea Uni rallied and got themselves a point. Jessica Goucher pulled one back, and five minutes later, Charly Haynes made it three apiece. Emily Ilett was also sent off for the away side after the final whistle.
Finally, to Jubilee Way and a big moment for Caldicot Town, as they picked up their first win of the season, beating Pontardawe Town 4-2.
After Emily Humphreys had given the home side the lead, Keira Harris equalised for Ponty soon after. But goals from Millie Pearce and Josie Day before the break had Caldicot in a fantastic place at the break. And when Lucy McDonough scored midway through the second half, they knew that first win was on the horizon.
Becca Rees did pull one back, but Caldicot held on and moved above Pontardawe in the process.
(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)
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