Swansea City beat Cardiff City in South Wales derby, while Aberystwyth take top four spot – Adran Leagues round-up

If you wanted a weekend full of drama and entertainment, then look no further than this week’s Adran Leagues action!

Along with the final games of phase one in the Adran Premier, we had crucial matchups in the Adran North and Adran South.

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

Adran Premier

The biggest question mark heading into the final weekend of phase one was, who would take the final spot in the top four. Aberystwyth Town had the advantage of being in fourth at the start of the day and knew a win or draw would get them into the final dance. Visitors TNS wrapped up a top four spot on the final day of last season and knew the lengths they had to go to do it again. But there was to be no repeat of history, as Aber clinched the final place in a pulsating 3-3 draw.

Things couldn’t have started any better for the Saints, as they took the lead inside a minute. The inform Caitlin Chapman picked the ball up wide and her cross turned shot ended up in the far corner, a dream start for the chasing team. They would then go on to control the first part of the first half but couldn’t find a second goal.

Still in the game, the Seasiders began to find their feet in the tie and did find an equaliser just after the half hour mark. A Modlen Gwynne cross found Amy Jenkins, and she swivelled her head expertly to nod the ball into the net. Half time, and the game was thoroughly in the balance.

A player who had become more and more prominent in Aber’s recent good run of form has been Niamh Duggan, and it was no surprise that she popped up with a goal to put the hosts ahead. Her free kick from a tight angle sailed over Mackenzie Haydn-Jones and into the goal. But again, the tie was levelled soon after. A loose ball on the edge of the box was pounced upon by Lia Lewis, who fired the ball expertly past Margot Farnes.

But a whirlwind period of the game wasn’t done there, as once again Aber went ahead four minutes after Lewis’ leveller. Duggan’s free kick from deep found the run of Rebecca Mathias, who beat Haydn-Jones to the ball and poke into an empty net. All Aber had to do now was hold on.

For the most part, they looked comfortable doing so, but there was to be a moment of panic as Greg Draper’s side did find a third in the final knockings of the game. New signing Mel Barlow, after being denied twice in quick succession, found the net with her third shot. But there was to be no bitter ending for Aber, as they held on to reach the top four for the second time in three seasons.

A remarkable game played by both sides, proving that talent and entertainment can be found across the league.

To Leckwith now and a South Wales derby. Cardiff City were hurtling towards an incredible landmark, two years of being unbeaten. The last side to defeat them in the league were Swansea City, and since the turn of the year, the Swans have looked like a team inspired. And they looked more than inspiring on Sunday, as they defeated the Bluebirds 2-0 to end the epic streak.

Chris Church’s side got off to the better start and began creating chance after chance. Chloe Chivers forced Ceryn Chamberlain into a good save, Jessica Williams headed wide from a corner, while Stacey John-Davis sent her header over the bar.

But the Swans would finally get off the mark seven minutes before half time, and they did so in truly stunning fashion. Picking the ball up from 35-yards out, Chivers tried her arm and found the back of the net. A goal befitting any derby game.

Cardiff hadn’t threatened Chelsea Herbert’s goal all game, and their first real opportunity came 20 minutes from time. Mikayla Cook’s cross was saved well by the keeper, but the rebound fell to Hannah Power. Unfortunately for the centre half, she couldn’t guide her strike on target.

Other than that chance, Swansea looked in control, and they put the icing on top of the cake with ten minutes to go. Ellie Lake’s cross found Hosford in the box, and she tapped home to seal a monumental win. The captain is having an excellent season. With twelve goals and seven assists, no one in the league has more goal contributions.

Swansea repaint South Wales black and white, and in doing so, close the gap on Cardiff to five points.

It’s been a phase one to forget for Cardiff Met. The perennial trophy winners found themselves in seventh place, and if things were to go wrong, could even find themselves getting relegated come the end of the season. A trip to third place Wrexham on paper seemed like a daunting prospect, but the Archers pulled out a great performance and drew 2-2 with the Red Dragons.

An open and attacking game made for a great spectacle early on. Rosie Hughes and Amber Lightfoot tested Daisy Farrow early on, while Esme Kilburn-Thompson forced Charlotte Bolland into a good save. But it was Wrexham who went into the break in the lead through, who else, but Hughes. The Adran Prem top scorer raced onto Lightfoot’s through ball and stroked home.

However, four minutes into the second half, Met levelled. Kilburn-Thompson has been a bright spark for the Cyncoed based side since coming into the starting eleven, and she finished a clinical counterattack to draw the scores level. Things were to get even better for the capital team as they took the lead halfway through the second half. Anna Houghton danced around the defence before taking aim and finding the top corner.

One thing about this Wrexham team though is the fact that they can fightback and get something, and they did exactly that nine minutes from time. Mari Gibbard’s shot was deflected into the net, but the supporters at The Rock didn’t care. The shares spoiled, but this could be a turning point for Met.

With Met gaining an unexpected point, things were beginning to get urgent for Pontypridd United. Still bottom and still without a win, if they didn’t get three points quickly, relegation was becoming a real possibility. Facing them this weekend was a trip to Jenner Park to take on Barry Town, whose fortunes had certainly turned in recent weeks. The Barry train continued to motor on, as they raced home to a 2-0 win.

A good Barry start resulted in them scoring halfway through the first period. Danielle Broadhurst split the defence with an excellent through ball, which found India Shanahan. With space around her, the forward composed herself and found the bottom corner with a well-executed finish.

The Dragons responded well as they tried to find an equaliser. Jasmine Turner almost scored directly from a corner, while Efa Preece Jones hit the crossbar with a free kick from 30-yards out. Going into the break, you felt Ponty could turn this around.

Yet, the tempo seemed to filter away from the visitors as the second half wore on. Even with the introduction of new signing Erin Murray, Pontypridd couldn’t test Erin Brennan in the Barry net. Instead, the Linnets moved themselves up the field, looking for a second.

Eventually, they found it four minutes from time. Aimee Deacon, who was electric off the bench, waltzed into the box, and while her shot was saved, the rebound fell perfectly to Hana Bennett, who powered home from close range. It’s now nine points from the last twelve available for Barry, making them the most dangerous team in the bottom four.

For Pontypridd, they know only wins will do from here on in if they are to stay in the Adran Premier.

The fixtures for phase two will be released on Friday 16^th February at 10am, with the first fixtures taking place on Sunday 10^th March.

Adran North

Llandudno kept up their good form with a thumping 8-3 win over Bangor.

A wild opening 15 minutes ended with five goals being scored. Kelsey Davies scored a brace, Ella Jones grabbed one, while Bangor keeper Elin Jones unfortunately put the ball in her own net. Menna Evans found a goal for Bangor to make it 2-1 at one stage, but they would be 4-1 down early on. Davies completed her hat-trick in the first half and Erin Doran got herself on the scoresheet, as Dudno went into the dressing room 6-1 up.

The visitors certainly improved in the second half, as Seren MacDonald and Mia Roberts got amongst the goals. But the day belonged to Llandudno. Jones added her second and Maddie Williams got her customary goal in a big win. They go six clear at the top.

Elsewhere, NFA made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season, as they defeated Airbus 4-1 at Ffordd Derwen.

A blistering first 30 minutes saw the home side score three goals: two for captain Georgia Williams and one from Jade Scott. Kayla Hargreaves added a fourth on the hour mark to put the cherry on top of a great performance. Laura Pratt added a late consolation, but Airbus remain bottom. NFA, meanwhile, move up to fifth.

Adran South

It proved to be a pivotal weekend in the Adran South. Let’s begin at Old Road, where Briton Ferry maintained their 100% league record with a 2-0 win over Llanelli Town.

These two met last weekend, with Ferry strolling to a 6-0 win. This weekend, the task was far harder for the home side. Llanelli held their ground well and aimed to disrupt the attacking movement of the league leaders. A goalless first half an indication of how well Town were doing.

For a lot of the second half their resilience remained, but their barricade was finally broken 20 minutes from time, as Laura-May Walkley scored the opener. Lucy Powell scored minutes later to settle the tie and seal a big three points.

With Ferry winning, Cascade knew they had to win to maintain any chance of lifting the title. Up against them this weekend were Cwmbran Celtic. It all looked well for Cascade, but Celtic scored a late goal to draw 1-1 and hand the Adran South to Briton Ferry.

Both of these teams have impressed all season, and it was no surprise that the contest was close and tight throughout. As the game galloped into its final furlongs, Cascade struck first through Lauren Boyd. With the hosts looking set to win and keep the pressure on the leaders, Cwmbran pounced, as Jade Crofts equalised.

Crofts is having an unbelievable season, as she notched up her tenth goal of the campaign. Heartbreak for Cascade, who are set for another season in the Adran South.

In the other game, Swansea University ended a three-game winless run with a 2-0 victory over Caldicot Town.

Two first half goals did the damage. Charley Haynes scored the first on the half hour mark, before American Jessica Goucher added a second four minutes before the end of the first half. The win keeps the university side in fourth, while Caldicot stay sixth.

(Featured Image: Sam Eaden/FAW)