Another enthralling Adran Premier season has come to an end, and for the second successive season, Cardiff City were crowned the champions.
There were plenty of ups and plenty of downs throughout the year, but Iain Darbyshire’s side were crowned victorious, as they lifted the trophy at Cardiff City Stadium.
But who has stood out across the 20-game season? Here, we reveal our Adran Premier Team of the Season!
Adran Premier Team of the Season
Goalkeeper – Klaudia Wojtyczka (Pontypridd United)
In the goalkeeping department, I don’t think anyone has a better highlight reel this season than Klaudia Wojtyczka. In a struggling Pontypridd United side, the Polish shot stopper shined and pulled off wonder save after wonder save. Diving to stop the ball nestling in the bottom corner, fingertipping the ball over the bar, or rushing out of her goal early, Wojtyczka really showcased all of her strengths this season, in what has been a standout campaign for her.
Honourable Mention: Ceryn Chamberlain (Cardiff City)
It’s been another great year for Ceryn Chamberlain in the Bluebirds net. She kept the most clean sheets in the league this season, and I don’t think there’s anyone better at getting out of her goal than Chamberlain. She is a magnificent last line of defence for City.
Centre-back – Libby Isaac (Aberystwyth Town)
To think that Libby Isaac isn’t a natural centre-back, it’s absolutely astounding to see what she’s done this season. Naturally a striker, Isaac moved to the back line last season as a result of a number of injuries at Aberystwyth Town. She looked capable last year, but this season, has come on leaps and bounds. You’d think she’s played there her whole career with the way she positions herself and executes tackles. It’ll be interesting to see if she moves back up top any time soon.
Honourable Mention: Tiggi Webb (Cardiff Met)
The exodus at Cardiff Met this season has been enormous and a lot of leaders have departed Cyncoed, but Tiggi Webb has certainly been a great captain. Her voice carries a lot of weight, and she’s been a dependable presence at the back.
Centre-back – Hannah Power (Cardiff City)
Hannah Power never lets Cardiff City down, it’s as simple as that. Her abilities are endless it feels, and she once again proved this season why she is the Adran Premier’s premier defender. Always vocal, always in the right place at the right time, always knows when to dive in and when not to, she is an example for all other defenders in the league. A stellar campaign for Power.
Honourable Mention: Meg Bowen (Cardiff City)
Power may be the present for the Bluebirds, but Meg Bowen marks the future. She has so much energy, and despite being a defender, gets up and down the pitch so quickly. Bowen is such a danger at set-pieces too, and she certainly has the hallmarks of being a future Cardiff City captain.
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Centre-back – Keren Allen (Wrexham)
What an influence Keren Allen has been on this Wrexham squad! After being appointed as captain after her arrival from Stourbridge, Allen slotted straight into the heart of the defence and has been an imposing presence ever since. She’s symbolic of maybe the defenders of yesteryear; tough, hard tackling, a true leader. That’s not to do her on the ball abilities down, because she has bucket loads of that too. Allen is truly deserving of a place in the team of the season.
Honourable Mention: Rebecca Mathias (Aberystwyth Town)
A big part as to why Aberystwyth have had so much success this season has been their defence, and Rebecca Mathias has certainly played her part. Now, surprisingly, one of the older heads in the team at the age of 27, Mathias has been a real example for the youngsters coming through into the team by putting in consistent performances all season.
Right wing-back – Ellie Lake (Swansea City)
What a campaign Ellie Lake has had. Swansea City have suffered so many injuries this season, and that’s forced Lake to play all along the defensive line, but wherever she is slotted in, she shines. She’s not afraid to stand her ground and go toe-to-toe with her opponent, but she can also maraud forward with pace and power and really frighten her opponents. Lake is an all-rounder and can certainly take a lot of pride from this season.
Honourable Mention: Ffion Price (Cardiff City)
Two-time Adran Premier Player of the Year Ffion Price has again been excellent this season. Leading the league in the assists column, Price just makes the right side her own in almost every game she plays. Where would the Bluebirds be without her?
Left wing-back – Mikayla Cook (Cardiff City)
For me, Mikayla Cook is a prime candidate for the Adran Premier Young Player of the Year. In her first full season in the top tier, Cook has been a revelation. More of a forward-thinking wing-back, the way she dribbles past defenders and midfielders alike is spellbinding, but she is also more than capable of finding a teammate in and around the box. Cook admitted herself that this has been a breakout season for herself, and I think her ceiling is incredibly high.
Honourable Mention: Aimee Deacon (Barry Town)
Whenever I’ve seen Barry Town this season, Aimee Deacon seems to be getting better and better every game. There’s a fearlessness to her that is incredibly unique, and she’s popped up with some really important goals for an improving Barry side.
Centre-midfield – Seren Watkins (Cardiff City)
There’s been a growth in Seren Watkins this season. We’ve become so used to a combative midfielder who doesn’t shy away from a battle, but this year, she is so much more than that. There’s a calmness to Watkins’ game. She’s been given more licence to roam, and we’ve seen exactly what she can do in forward areas. Seven goals and six assists is a commendable tally for someone labelled as a defensive midfielder, and it wouldn’t surprise me if she moves to pastures new this summer.
Honourable Mention: Caitlin Chapman (TNS)
At one stage this season, Caitlin Chapman seemed like a shoo-in for the end of season awards. Leading TNS in both goals and assists this season, she was driving them to good results early in the campaign. Injuries certainly hampered her and TNS’ seasons, but it doesn’t take away from what’s been a great season for Chapman.
Centre-midfield – Emma Beynon (Cardiff City)
Hands down, Emma Beynon has been the signing of the season. I’m sure there will be plenty of people inside Cardiff City who couldn’t believe they were able to sign someone like Beynon, because she has brought so much to this team. Her experience has been so valuable in a young City team, and her passing range knows no bounds. Whatever happens to the Bluebirds over the summer, Beynon is going to be so key to this whole team.
Honourable Mention: Lili Jones (Wrexham)
It’s hard to believe sometimes that Lili Jones is only 18. She plays like a player beyond her years, and she is the perfect link between the defence and attack in this Wrexham side. It won’t surprise me to see Jones be part of the Wales setup very soon, and it’s an accolade this she will have richly deserved.
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Right-forward – Katy Hosford (Swansea City)
In my opinion, Katy Hosford deserves to be named Adran Premier Player of the Year. There’s been a lot of change at Swansea this season, along with plenty of injuries, but Hosford has been that constant shining light; always ready to drag her team to the next level. She has recorded 23 goal involvements this season (15 goals and eight assists), a number no other player is close to. There simply aren’t enough words to describe just what a job the Swansea captain has done this season.
Honourable Mention: Esme Kilburn-Thompson (Cardiff Met)
A player who only really started playing at the turn of the year, Esme Kilburn-Thompson has been that bit of dynamite Cardiff Met have been missing. She is so explosive when she gets on the ball and is able to find the back of the net in a variety of situations. The Archers would be pretty foolish not to try and build a squad around her next year.
Centre-forward – Eliza Collie (Cardiff City)
The league’s top scorer was always going to lead the line in this team, wasn’t she? Eliza Collie had a great end to last season but has built on that remarkably this campaign. 17 goals is a great number to reach, but what impresses me most is that there’s so much variety in those goals. Poacher’s finishes, quick turns, powerful strikes; her armoury of attacking weapons is deadly. Collie, I think, is another who could be in the Wales setup sooner rather than later.
Honourable Mention: Rosie Hughes (Wrexham)
Rosie Hughes started the season like a house on fire! Five goals in one game at Jenner Park was certainly an indicator that she was relishing the challenge of playing topflight football. But injuries haven’t helped in the second part of the season, and she hasn’t been the same since. However, 15 goals in her debut Adran Prem season? That ain’t half bad!
Left-forward – Amber Lightfoot (Wrexham)
This is a position I dithered on for so, so long. However, I have chosen to give the place to Amber Lightfoot. Coming off the back of a great Adran North season, we wondered if the flying winger could replicate her good form, and so she has. To record eight assists and to only trail Ffion Price in that category is a remarkable achievement. She’s got the better of so many experienced players this season, and it shows just how much ability Lightfoot has.
Honourable Mention: Molly Kehoe (Cardiff City)
Molly Kehoe was so close to getting into this side because she is another that has been a revelation. Coming over from the Caribbean, the forward has scored nine and assisted seven this season. She can do a bit of everything when going forward, and I’m excited to see just how much better she can get in her second season.
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