Despite almost everything being decided in the Adran Leagues, the excitement and entertainment certainly didn’t end.
It was the penultimate weekend in the Adran Premier, while for a handful of Adran North and South clubs, it was their final game of the season.
Let’s take a look back at the week that was.
Adran Premier – Championship Group
For Cardiff City, it was job done. They secured the league title on Wednesday night in the South Wales Derby with a thumping 4-0 win. As far as Swansea City were concerned, the midweek result was poor to say the least, but they had a chance to get their revenge against the Bluebirds on Sunday. And they did just that, as the Swans ran out 2-0 winners.
The hosts started brightly with Emily Thomas having a couple of chances, but on both occasions, Ceryn Chamberlain came out on top. But there was nothing she was able to do to stop the first goal from going in midway through the first half. Katy Hosford burst into the area but was brought down cynically by Lisa Owen. Penalty awarded. Up stepped the captain and she dispatched her spot kick expertly.
Despite a sluggish start, the Bluebirds responded and had good spells either side of half time. Olivia Basham dragged her effort narrowly wide of the mark, while Rhianne Oakley saw her shot blocked on the line by Sophie Brisland-Hancocks.
Back came Swansea and they almost had a second, but the crossbar was the only thing that thwarted Hosford. You didn’t know which way the game would go, with both throwing everything at each other.
On the hour mark, a second goal went in, and it proved to be the decisive goal. Robyn Pinder wriggled free from the defence, before playing a pinpoint pass into the path of Thomas. The forward took her time before executing a calm finish into the back of the net.
Both could have scored more before the end of the game. Chelsea Herbert made a fine save to deny Mikayla Cook, while Jess Williams saw her cushioned volley crash off the underside of the bar.
A win for Swansea, who secure a second-place finish in the Adran Prem.
Cardiff City win league title with thumping 4-0 win over Swansea City.
In the north, Wrexham finally notched up their first phase two win in midweek and were now looking to end the season as strongly as possible, especially with the Welsh Cup final on the horizon. Aberystwyth Town were yet to win a game in the Championship Group and were looking to hit back after losing to the Red Dragons on Wednesday. Unlike in Swansea, revenge wasn’t served, as Wrexham cruised to a 3-0 triumph.
The game was only ten minutes old when the deadlock was broken, and it was broken in some style. We know TJ Dickens can take a free kick, you only need to look at her goal at the Racecourse to know that, and she replicated a similar goal at The Rock. From distance, she looped the ball over Margot Farnes’ head and into the back of the net. The perfect start.
That start got even better just nine minutes later when they doubled their lead. Lili Jones put in an inviting cross, and there to finish was Amber Lightfoot, who directed the ball into the top corner. With a game to go, Lightfoot has three goals and eight assists to her name, and has certainly taken to the Adran Prem like a duck to water.
As the game wore on Wrexham could have added a lot more, but Aberystwyth defended resolutely to keep the score down. But there was nothing they could do to stop a third from going in, as Rebecca Pritchard launched a stunning half-volley in from outside the box.
Wrexham confirm a third-placed finish on their return to the Adran Prem, and I’m sure fans in North Wales and California will be delighted with their season.
Adran Premier – Plate Conference
The only thing left to decide in the top tier was, who was going to win the plate? After a nine-game winless run in all competitions, TNS had put themselves in pole position to win the plate after back-to-back victories. Opponents Barry Town still harboured hopes of winning the plate themselves, but they were unable to make those dreams a reality, as TNS won 3-0 to secure their first bit of silverware in the Adran Leagues era.
The Saints started quickly in their last league game, and it was no different in this tie, as they found their first goal on the 13-minute mark. Beth Lewis’ corner found the head of Izzy Redding, who was able to steer the ball past Erin Brennan.
The Park Hall crowd only had to wait six minutes to see the next one nestle in the back of the net. Chantelle Teare has been a menace in front of goal in recent weeks, but she turned provider this time, as her pass across the box was turned in by Emily Ridge.
Now two down, Barry responded and had a number of attempts to try and reduce the deficit. Taite Trivett had three attempts on goal, while there was also one for Chloe Tiley, but a combination of near misses and great saves from Ellie Suckley preserved the Saints’ two-goal advantage.
And how the home side would take advantage of that as they found a third right on the cusp of half time. Another Lewis corner caused havoc in the Barry area, and it resulted in Lauren Harris turning the ball into her own net.
Both teams could have added to their tally in the second half, but no one was able to find the target, meaning it’s Greg Draper’s side who get their hands on the plate this season.
TNS’ win meant there was nothing Cardiff Met could do to stop them, and they would have to settle for either a sixth or seventh place finish. Visiting Cyncoed this weekend were Pontypridd United, who had only lost one of their four games in phase two. The relegated side notched up another point, as they drew 1-1 with Met.
After an uneventful start to the first half, the game was brought to life by Pontypridd, as they took the lead through Efa Preece Jones. The young forward now has four goals to her name, and it makes her the club’s top scorer.
Ponty held the lead for a majority of the second half, and they have shown real improvement since Christmas, and a second win was certainly on the horizon.
But those hopes were dashed late on as the Archers found an equaliser through Esme Kilburn-Thompson. The striker has played eleven league games and has scored eight goals, making her the top scorer for the team. Quite an impact from the youngster. Points shared at the university.
Adran North
Connah’s Quay secured themselves a second-place finish in the Adran North, as they hammered Airbus 9-0 at home.
To say the Nomads enjoyed themselves in the first half would certainly be an understatement, as they scored six goals. Alisha Wright got herself a hat-trick, while there was a goal each for Alisha Whitehead-Hughes, Sophie Rawling, and Megan Andrews.
Into the second half, and while the goals weren’t quite as free flowing, there was still plenty to enjoy about the performance Jordan Parry’s side were putting on. Emily Hughes-Jones and Elana Harley added their names to the score sheet, and rounding off the proceedings was Kirstie Kural, who notched up her 50th goal in the Adran Leagues.
While Connah’s Quay confirmed their spot in the top two, Airbus finish the season bottom of the table.
Not far behind the Nomads are Y Felinheli, who won their penultimate game of the season 5-0 over Llanfair United.
The hosts made a quick start. Heading the attack was Fflur Williams, who managed to bag two goals in the opening twelve minutes, taking her total in the Adran North to seven for the season. Jenna Allsup rounded out the first half, finishing from captain Kelly Jones’ ball through.
Into the second period and Felin kept up their dominance. Catrin Evans managed to get the ball in the net before Williams scored from the penalty spot to wrap up her third and Felinheli’s fifth and final goal of the tie. They will finish third, while Llanfair end the season in sixth.
The other game in the Adran North ended 0-0 between Rhyl and Bangor.
With that point, Rhyl sealed a top half finish, while Bangor with finish in seventh, and have one game remaining, which will be against Felinheli.
Adran South
In the sole Adran South game, Briton Ferry ended the season with a 100% record, but they were made to work for it by Cwmbran Celtic, but they emerged as 2-1 winners.
An even first half did finish with the visitors ahead. Captain Lowri Ridings found the run of Meg Kearle, who carried the ball into dangerous territory, before slotting into the back of the net.
Celtic, who have been the surprise package across the leagues this season, hit back on the hour mark. Ridings handled the ball in the area, giving Eloise Meaney the perfect opportunity to equalise from the spot, which she did.
With the clock ticking, it looked like Ferry were going to drop their first points of the season in their last game. Step up Alison Witts. The league’s top scorer found the bottom corner after a neat flick on by Lowri Baker to make it twelve wins from twelve for Rhys James’ team. A sickening blow for Cwmbran, but they will certainly look back on this season with a lot of satisfaction.
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