Briton Ferry lead the way in combined Adran North South Team of the Season

Another thrilling season in the Adran North and Adran South came to an end last month, as Briton Ferry were promoted to the Adran Premier.

For all the success Ferry had, there were plenty of good performers across the country, as each team tried to get themselves into the promised land.

Here, we take a look at the best players, as we reveal our Adran North and South combined Team of the Season.

Adran North and South Team of the Season

Goalkeeper – Courtney Young (Briton Ferry)

Courtney Young was superb last season but she has stepped up another level this campaign. To be part of a team that only conceded five goals in the league and the playoff final is an astonishing achievement, and one that secures her place in this team. Even when her defenders couldn’t get the best of their attacking opponents, Young was more than capable of pulling out a superb save to preserve the clean sheet. It will be interesting to see how she fares next season in the top tier.

Honourable Mention: Megan Robinson (Llandudno)

Having made the move over from Adran North rivals Connah’s Quay last summer, Robinson has kept her reputation as one of the best keepers in the second tier at Llandudno. She helped them reach the playoff final by keeping four clean sheets in twelve Adran North appearances.

Centre-back – Saskia Wynne Thomas (Rhyl)

Rhyl have been one of the success stories in the Adran North this year, and one of the biggest reasons for that has been due to Saskia Wynne Thomas, who’s been at the heart of the defence. It’s a defence that has recorded some impressive results this season, no less than their win over Connah’s Quay, and Thomas certainly played her part in a great season.

Honourable Mention: Erin Burns (Bangor)

It hasn’t been an easy maiden season in the second tier for Bangor, but Erin Burns has certainly adapted well to life in the Adran North. Bangor have rarely been thumped this season, and Burns has been a big factor in that as she marshalled the back line.

Centre-back – Lowri Ridings (Briton Ferry)

Where would Briton Ferry be without their influential captain Lowri Ridings? Her presence alone is enough to make attackers second guess themselves and her footballing ability is second to none. Always in the right place to make a great tackle or block, and her voice carries so much weight. If her team isn’t doing enough, she will be the first to let them know about it! The battles she will have with some of the country’s best attackers will certainly be something to keep an eye on this season.

Honourable Mention: Sofie Owen (Llandudno)

While Dudno’s attack will receive a lot of plaudits, their defence has also been solid, and Sofie Owen has been a vital part of that. Only yielding 18 goals in 14 games is a remarkable achievement, and if they can keep the defence together next season, they will be in with a great chance of promotion.

Four things we learned from Briton Ferry’s win over Llandudno

Centre-back – Evie Chard (Connah’s Quay)

While it may have been a disappointing season for those in Deeside, for Evie Chard, it’s been one to remember. Three appearances in the Adran Leagues Team of the Week is testament to how well she’s developed as a defender this season. The Nomads conceded the least number of goals in the Adran North, and Chard has been a big reason for that. She will certainly be someone attackers fear next season.

Honourable Mention: Daisy Evan-Watkins (Cascade)

I feel like Daisy Evan-Watkins has improved a lot this season. Cascade had a bit of a rocky season, but the defender has been steady and put in consistent performances all season. With Ferry now in the Adran Premier, Evan-Watkins and Cascade will certainly be looking to join them next season.

Right wing-back – Kelsey Davies (Llandudno)

Kelsey Davies has played in almost every position this season, but coming off the wing position, she has been brilliant for the Adran North champions. 15 goals and eight assists is a remarkable return for a player who only played eleven games this season in the league. There’s such a wealth of attacking options available to Dudno, and Davies has been a key cog to that.

Honourable Mention: Hannah Pinney (Swansea University)

The university side have had a really strong season in the Adran South, and players like Hannah Pinney have been crucial. Her creativity and attacking drive helped Swansea Uni to a good season, and it will be interesting to see how players like herself develop next season.

Left wing-back – Jess Denscombe (Briton Ferry)

Perhaps an unheralded member of the promotion winning squad, but Jess Denscombe has had a great season for Briton Ferry. The team benefit so much from players in wide areas that have really given them an advantage over most opponents, and Denscombe certainly played her part in harming every opposition. Her numbers may suggest she had a quiet season, but without her industrious nature, Ferry wouldn’t be where they are.

Honourable Mention: Charley Haynes (Swansea University)

Charley Haynes is another who really stepped up from last year’s campaign for Swansea Uni. Getting herself into dangerous areas on the pitch and causing havoc up the wing definitely helped her team to a great record and points finish.

Centre-Midfield – Laura-May Walkley (Briton Ferry)

It’s been yet another outstanding year for Laura-May Walkley. In her ten league games, she scored eleven and assisted nine goals. More than that though, the way she can just take the game, dictate play, and run at players makes her a unique commodity in the second tier. Now she’s back at the top, and she will be relishing taking on some old foes.

Honourable Mention: Catrin Evans (Felinheli)

Felinheli have certainly been one of the biggest surprise packages in the second tier, and Catrin Evans has been a superb asset for the North Wales side. She led the league with eleven assists and scored eight times, as y Felin secured their highest ever finish in the second tier, and battled Llandudno all the way for the title.

Centre-Midfield – Eloise Meaney (Cwmbran Celtic)

Without a doubt, the biggest and maybe best, story in the second tier was Cwmbran Celtic. A newly promoted side, they finished third in their maiden Adran South season. Eloise Meaney played a big part in that. Bossing the midfield, she recorded seven goals and seven assists this season, and is a real metronome in this team. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the Celtic, and Meaney, perform next year, now the rest of the country knows how good they are.

Honourable Mention: Fleur Jenkins (Briton Ferry)

Fleur Jenkins is a player that can do a bit of everything. She can defend, attack, find key passes, score crucial goals; she’s like a Swiss Army knife. A very crucial part to Ferry’s whole dynamic, and she has had another great season.

Right-forward – Stevie Donougher (Llandudno)

It is such a shame that an ACL injury caused Stevie Donougher to miss the playoff final, because she has been scintillating in the Adran North. Joining Dudno from the third tier, the Aussie wasted no time in making an impact, as she scored four goals on her debut. Overall, she found the back of the net 16 times and secured the North’s Golden Boot. A brilliant season, and I hope she comes back stronger after her injury.

Honourable Mention: Polly Wild-McGregor (Connah’s Quay)

There have been many attack minded players who have shined for Connah’s Quay, but Polly Wild-McGregor has been solid. With nine goals in 14 appearances, she helped the Nomads finish second, and if she can match or better what she’s done next year, they will be up battling for promotion once more.

Alison Witts and Stevie Donougher: Falling back in love with football

Centre-forward – Alison Witts (Briton Ferry)

It couldn’t really be anyone else, could it? A player who has fallen back in love with football, and you can see just what happiness can do to someone. She was the top scorer across all three of the top leagues in Wales with 19 goals, and Witts also topped the Adran South assists chart with ten. She scores, she creates, and more importantly, she leads, and she will lead the line again next year against some of Wales’ best defences.

Honourable Mention: Ella Jones (Llandudno)

There were so many good forwards in the second tier this season, and Ella Jones is another who astounded us at times. Dudno scored a jaw dropping 80 goals this season, and Jones contributed eleven to that tally. Good luck trying to defend Jones and Dudno next season.

Left-forward – Maddie Williams (Llandudno)

For me, Maddie Williams is the Adran North’s Player of the Year. Twelve goals and ten assists for the ever-present Dudno forward highlights just what a threat she is. She can hold the ball up well, turn on a sixpence, score a whole variety of goals; it wouldn’t surprise me if an Adran Premier team came calling for her. Llandudno will hope to keep her, of course, because she’s been remarkable.

Honourable Mention: Jade Crofts (Cwmbran Celtic)

At one stage, it felt like Jade Crofts was scoring a goal every week for Cwmbran Celtic! 13 goals in eight games is an amazing record, and it’s such a shame there are only three forward slots available in this team. A great season for Crofts, who I’m sure will score even more next season.

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)