With only a handful of games remaining in the Adran Leagues, every game matters now more than ever.
There were consequences at the top and bottom of the three leagues this weekend.
Let’s take a look back at the week that was.
Adran Premier – Championship Group
Our first game this week takes us to The Rock. Wrexham didn’t make the best start to life in phase two, losing to Swansea City on the opening weekend, an opponent they had done rather well against previously this campaign. Despite a good record against the Swans, they had a far poorer record against this weekend’s opponents, Cardiff City. Across three games in all competitions, Wrexham had conceded nine and only scored one against the reigning champions. That record got a whole lot worse on Sunday, as they were defeated 6-1 by City.
A bright start from the visitors saw them rewarded with the opening goal. A sweeping move up field led to Rhianne Oakley squaring the ball across to Eliza Collie, who was able to finish from close range. However, the Bluebirds wouldn’t be ahead for long as Wrexham were awarded a penalty; Liv Fuller brought down in the area. Up stepped the inevitable Rosie Hughes, and she blasted her effort into the back of the net.
If Wrexham had thought an early equaliser would allow them to settle back into the game, they were in for a rude awakening. Almost instantly, City were back ahead. Ffion Price’s searching free kick finding Oakley at the back stick, who had the easiest job of nodding home.
Into the second half, and the Bluebirds showed their championship quality. The first act of the second period saw Molly Kehoe get on the scoresheet, as she cooly tucked the ball away past Charlotte Bolland. Now in their mojo, City coasted home in style. Oakley found her second as she delicately chipped the ball over the keeper, before Collie found a fifth with a smart strike from inside the box.
This was certainly Collie’s day, and she finished off the rout by scoring her third of the afternoon; a tidy finish inside the area. Those three goals takes Collie to the top of the goalscoring charts, and it keeps Cardiff at the top of the pile.
Adran Premier – Plate Conference
Sunday was judgement day for Pontypridd United. Anything over than a win over Cardiff Met, and they would be relegated to the Adran South. Despite a brave and dominant display, it wasn’t enough for the Dragons, as they drew 2-2 with the Archers.
It could have been so different for Ponty at the beginning, as Erin Murray had three clear chances to put them ahead, but some uncharacteristic poor finishing from the reliable striker still had the home side searching. How they would rue those missed chances, as Met took the lead. Nieve Jenkins has been superb since arriving at Cyncoed, and she kept her hot streak going by scoring directly from a corner.
Although they went a goal behind, Ponty weren’t dettered and continued playing their attacking style, and they would be rewarded for their perseverance. Efa Preece Jones’ lofted corner finding the head of Shannon Hindmarsh, who powered the ball beyond the reach of Daisy Farrow.
An exciting first half bled into a second half that was tense and cagey, but you still had a feeling Ponty were on top. Met had done nothing to test the keeper, but somehow managed to get themselves back in front with 20 minutes to go. Emily Bayliss’ shot was parried by Klaudia Wojtyczka straight into the path of Esme Kilburn-Thompson, who had the easiest of tap ins.
The clock was against the hosts now, but they were aided in their quest by having a player advantage; Tiggi Webb sent off for a cynical foul. The incident looked to have happened well inside the box, but the referee chose to give a free kick. The home side furious.
But luckily, their fury didn’t last long as they did find a route back into it through Lucy Attwood. Her shot cannoned off the underside of the bar and over the line to give Claire O’Sullivan’s team hope. They pushed and pushed until the end, but it wasn’t to be, and Ponty’s fate was sealed. They will be in the second-tier next season.
To Jenner Park now. TNS were a team needing something. One point in their last six league games meant they were looking over their shoulders more than ever. Defeat in South Wales would mean opponents Barry Town would leapfrog them in the table and be in pole position for the Plate. It was to be more misery for the Saints, as Barry ran out 3-0 winners.
TNS made a good start to the game with Mel Barlow almost giving them the lead, but Erin Brennan made a fine save. That save would give motivation to the rest of the Barry players, as they went ahead shortly after; Angharad Beman heading home from Chloe Tiley’s corner.
The half got even better for Barry as they doubled their lead just after the half hour mark. India Shanahan was alert and robbed the ball away from the TNS defence, before picking her spot in the bottom corner. Beman had never scored before in the Adran Prem, but now with a goal under her belt, she wasted no time in getting her second and Barry’s third in first half stoppage time. Tiley was once again the provider, as the defender finished cutely past Ellie Suckley.
Greg Draper’s side could have reduced the deficit through Chantelle Teare and Evie Manders, but they couldn’t find a way through the impenetrable Brennan. Barry now hold their fate in their own hands with this win and will now look to extend their advantage at the top.
Adran North
All eyes were on Bangor on Sunday. If Llandudno won away from home, they would wrap up the Adran North. If opponents Felinheli were to win on their own patch, they would blow the title race wide open. A thrilling game ended in a 4-3 win for Dudno, as they won their second Adran North title in three years.
Maddie Williams almost broke the deadlock but saw her effort cleared off the line, but Dudno went ahead a minute later through Sofie Owen. However, the lead only lasted twelve minutes, as Alaw Huws found the equaliser. They would only be level for ten minutes, as Kelsey Davies put the champions to be back ahead. In what was a crazy first half, the pendulum once again swung in Felinheli’s favour, as Huws drew the game level heading into the break.
For all the free-flowing football the first half produced, the second half was far more tense, perhaps the pressure of the game weighing heavy on both sets of players. Someone needed to create something, and Felinheli did, as Fflur Williams put them in front for the first time.
But Dudno turned it around in the final five minutes to seal a famous win. Stevie Donougher drew them level with her 14th league goal of the season. A minute later, Davies scored her second and ultimately the winner to seal the trophy. An unbelievable game featuring two teams at the top of their game, but it will be Llandudno who will take on Briton Ferry for a place in the Adran Premier.
Elsewhere, Connah’s Quay got back to winning ways, as they defeated Bangor 3-2.
After a shock loss to Rhyl last week, the Nomads were on the front foot early and got an early goal through Elana Harley. Having held a slender lead at the break, the game really came into its own in the final 20 minutes.
Cerys MacDonald drew Bangor level from the penalty spot, but five minutes later Connah’s Quay retook the lead with an Anais Bathily goal. Their task became easier as seconds after the goal, Cara Aston saw a red card brandished her way. Bangor down to ten. Sophie Rawling would then go on to find a third, and the game looked out of reach for the away side.
Menna Evans did pull one back in the second minute of added time, but time ran out for Bangor. They remain in seventh place, while the Nomads jump back up to second.
Our last game in the North takes us to the Rhyl derby, where Rhyl took all the spoils, as they beat NFA 3-1.
The Lilywhites got off to the perfect start, as Llio Davies put them ahead within the very first minute. Things got even better midway through the first half, as Laura Williams doubled their advantage. But a Mel Peake goal right before the break meant the game hung in the balance as we went into the second half.
Ultimately, Rhyl opened up that two-goal gap once more through Davies on the hour mark. That’s five goal in five games for the forward, who is having a strong end to the season. Rhyl stay fourth as a result of their win, and NFA remain in fifth.
Adran South
Our final game takes us to the sole match in the Adran South, where Cascade recorded their biggest win of the season; a 9-0 hammering of Caldicot Town.
Remarkably, Cascade scored six of their nine goals in the space of 20 first half minutes. There were braces for both Anneliese Lewis and Ellis Lunn, while Erin Parry and Chrystalla Moreton scored one each.
The good times continued in the second half. Parry added her second, while substitutes Sophie Whittle and Abbie Davies got themselves on the score sheet. The standout performers in this game were certainly Parry and Lunn, who recorded two goals and one assist each in this game.
This was Cascade’s final Adran South game of the season, and they require Cwmbran Celtic to drop points in order to guarantee a second-place finish. Caldicot stay sixth and they finish their league season on Sunday by hosting the afore mentioned Celtic.
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