Cardiff City and Swansea City to meet in final – Adran roundup
CARDIFF, WALES - 24 FEBRUARY 2024: Cardiff City Womens' Ffion Price scores her 3rd goal of the game and celebrates during round 3 of 2023/24 Genero Adran Trophy fixture between Cardiff City Women FC & Aberystwyth Town Womens FC at Cardiff International Sports Stadium, Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
There may have only been four games in Wales this week, but there were high stakes in each and every single one of them.
The first final of 2024 was set up, while there were games in the Adran North that had big repercussions in the title race.
Let’s take a look back at the week that was.
Adran Trophy
We begin in Leckwith, and two sides meeting in slightly contrasting circumstances. For Cardiff City, this was their first game since suffering a defeat to Swansea City; their first league loss in around two years. Semi-final opponents, Aberystwyth Town, were coming off the back of a top four finish and from beating Y Felinheli to reach the last four. Confidence was high for the Seasiders, but it was the Bluebirds who got back to winning ways, as they recorded a 4-0 win.
The hosts wasted no time in laying down their intentions, as they went ahead nine minutes in. A Ffion Price corner was met with a towering header from Meg Bowen, who left Margot Farnes no chance in the Aber net. The blue wave of pressure continued to crash against the green and black wall throughout the first half, and they found a second before the break. Hannah Power’s cross was expertly finished by Price.
The good times kept rolling for the Bluebirds at the beginning of the second half. Kerry Walklett, Olivia Basham, and Seren Watkins all went close, but a combination of wayward finishing and good saves from Farnes were just about keeping Aber in it.
However, when you’re feeling confident, it’s incredible just what could happen. Price clearly had plenty of Weetabix on Sunday morning, and she capped off a brilliant afternoon in an incredible way. She picked up her second goal with a pinpoint effort, before sealing an unexpected hat-trick with yet another stupendous strike.
A win for the reigning Adran Premier champions, who reach their third consecutive Adran Trophy final.
Their opposition in the final would be decided in North Wales. TNS had a poor end to phase one, but were looking to bounce back into some form, while also capturing a spot in their first ever final. Making the trip to Oswestry were Swansea City; still buoyed by their big win in their last game. The good times would keep rolling for the Swans, as they came out with a 5-1 victory.
Chris Church’s side made a lightning start and found themselves in front six minutes in; Emily Thomas nodding in from Chloe Chivers’ cross. Shortly after the lead was doubled. Once again, Chivers was in the thick of the action. Her shot rebounded off the post straight into the path of Sammy Wynne, who conjured up a magical strike from outside the box. It was looking like a long way back for the Saints.
TNS’ first real sighter came midway through the half as Chantelle Teare tried her arm on goal, but Chelsea Herbert was alert to deny her. Their hopes of getting back in the game were dented further when Swansea found a third before the interval, as Stacey John-Davis clipped her curling effort in off the post.
More Swans were eyeing up a place on the scoresheet as the game wore on. Both Jess Williams and Ellie Lake went close, but it wasn’t to be their day. Instead, it would be the talismanic John-Davis who would find another two goals. A blistering strike from distance was followed by a mesmeric free kick.
TNS did grab one at the end through Chloe Shirley, but for the second year in a row, the Saints bow out at the semi-final stages of the Adran Trophy.
It will be a final between Cardiff City and Swansea City on April 14th. The venue is TBC.
Adran North
With Llandudno not playing this weekend, there was a chance for the chasing pack to close the gap to them. In the first kick-off of the day, Y Felinheli closed the gap to three points with a 4-1 away win against Rhyl.
The first half saw the visitors race into a 3-0 lead. Goals from Jordanne Greenough, Hana Wellings, and a penalty from Catrin Evans making it difficult for Rhyl to try and find a way back into the contest.
When Evans found her second of the game and Felin’s fourth, the game was all but done. Laura Williams did find one for the hosts, but it was too little too late.
The date for your diaries is February 17th, as Y Felinheli host Llandudno in what could be a title decider.
If there is to be a slip up from either Dudno or Felin, Connah’s Quay will look to take full advantage, and they bounced back in style with a 14-0 win over Llanfair United.
A wild first half led to six goals. There was two for Polly Wild-McGregor, along with a goal each for Kylie Jones, Alisha Whitehead-Jones, Sophie Rawling, and Kirstie Kural, the latter scoring her first goal since returning to the club.
The goal fest continued in the second half. Wild-McGregor added another two to take her tally to four for the afternoon, Kural completed her hat-trick, and there was another three for Rawling. Substitute Anais Bathily scored one to take the Nomads to 14. In a nightmare afternoon for Llanfair, Harriet Davies was also sent off, but it’s Connah’s Quay who keep their dreams alive.
