As we enter the fourth season of the Adran Premier, Wales’ topflight is beginning to find an identity for itself.
With players transferring from Welsh clubs to the likes of Newcastle United, Manchester United and Chelsea of late, the Adran Premier is becoming a league where young talents can develop and shine.
As a result, here is a player from each of the eight teams who could have a season to remember.
Lleucu Mathias (Aberystwyth Town)
Aberystwyth Town began a youth movement last season, and it got them into the top four. One of the real standout players was forward Lleucu Mathias.
Mathias only missed one game last season, as she impressed in her debut season in first-team football. She led the side in goals with six, and she had one assist to her name, and when you consider Mathias was played the likes of Cardiff City and Swansea City four times, it’s an impressive tally.
Goal scoring was an issue for Aber all season, however, with Chris Church now at the helm, the Seasiders could move from one that is notoriously defensive, to one that can be free flowing. If that is to be the case, these young players who are entering their second full season could really thrive.
If Mathias can record a similar goal tally this season, then Aber could be in for another top four finish.
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Keira Harris (Barry Town)
Plenty of new faces have arrived at Jenner Park this summer, but one of the most exciting ones is Keira Harris.
Having spent 13 years at Pontardawe Town, Harris has made the step up to the Adran Premier for this upcoming season. It was an incredibly difficult season for all of those involved with Pontardawe last time out, but nonetheless, Harris impressed by picking up four goals and three assists. Her stellar performances were enough for her to pick up the Adran South Young Player of the Year award.
Now you look at the team Harris is walking into, and suddenly, there’s supply aplenty. The likes of Ellie Preece down the wing and Ingrid Ådland up top can help play the youngster in, and you’d imagine Harris will be able to take her statistics up no end.
Harris has proven she knows where the back of the net is in the second tier. If she can find it in the top tier, who knows what’s possible for her?
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Maia Owen (Briton Ferry)
One of Briton Ferry’s signings this summer, Maia Owen could take the league by storm.
Owen joins Ferry from the FAW Girls Academy. While a couple of years ago the academy may not have been known to many, it’s produced many a player. The shining light has been Olivia Francis, who now plays for Manchester United, while plenty have also been called up to the Wales senior squad.
Owen herself has been capped for Wales’ U17 side and possess plenty of qualities that could make her a nightmare for Adran Premier defences. Her new teammates are already signing her praises, with her ambition and talent being made abundantly clear in preseason.
If Owen can emulate others who have come out of the FAW Academy, then Ferry will have an incredible player on their hands.
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Madison Lloyd (Cardiff City)
It’s been a summer of change down at Cardiff City, and there might be a youth movement this season. If there is to be one, expect Madison Lloyd to play a big part.
At U19 level, Lloyd has been a cheat code for Noah Bushby’s side. In all competitions, Lloyd played 21 games, scored 41 goals and had eleven assists. Quite remarkable numbers for any player.
Her good form did earn her stints in the first team too. For the senior team, Lloyd played seven games and has five goals to her name. So, what’s the reason why she can score goals at any level? Simply, her speed is electric. No defender can match her stride, and when she motors into free space, she punishes the opposition.
The Bluebirds forward line is competitive, but Lloyd has been making a good case for herself to be a starter this season.
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Esme Kilburn-Thompson (Cardiff Met)
It was a season of struggle for Cardiff Met last year, but a shining light for them was the performances of Esme Kilburn-Thompson.
Kilburn-Thompson only started playing regularly for the Archers in January, but she improved the performances of the team no end. In phase two, she scored seven goals as she helped guide Met to a sixth-place finish, which didn’t feel possible at certain points of the season.
The most important thing with all these players is that they show year on year growth, and it does feel that Kilburn-Thompson will take that next step this season. What makes her standout is her strength, but then she has that ability to turn in behind and run through defences. Not many players in this division have the attributes she does.
Kilburn-Thompson has lost a lot of pieces around her during the off-season, but she could really be the one to drag Met out of danger this season.
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Aimee Deacon (Swansea City)
Swansea City have been one of the busiest teams during the transfer window, and one of the newest faces at the club is Aimee Deacon.
For anyone watching Barry Town last season, Deacon always seemed to be a standout. The flying winger only missed two games last year, but she impressed every single time. Deacon ended the campaign leading the side in both goals and assists.
But the thing about Deacon that stood out was the fact she was constantly improving. Every game she looked stronger, and that’s no surprise when she was also playing for Barry’s U19 and U17 teams while playing for the senior team.
Now at Swansea, Deacon can concentrate on playing with senior players, and in a front line alongside Katy Hosford and Stacey John-Davis, the forward could be in for a huge year.
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Grace Dunkerley (TNS)
There are a lot of new faces at TNS ahead of the season’s kick-off, but one of the returning ones is Lauren Dunkerley.
Dunkerley is yet another graduate of the FAW Girls Academy and joined the Saints in February. Her introduction into the Adran Premier was gradual, but she featured in all of TNS’ phase two games and scored a goal in their final game against Pontypridd United.
However, the pieces that have been added to this TNS squad are incredibly exciting. The likes of Caitlin Chapman and Chantelle Teare were already excellent pieces, but now with the likes of Maria Francis-Jones there too, there’s a lot of quality in the attack, and that will help Dunkerley no end.
There is a lot of hope around Park Hall of what could potentially happen this season, and Dunkerley could play a key part in a big campaign.
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Lili Jones (Wrexham)
Put simply, this is a Wrexham team that doesn’t tick without Lili Jones.
One of last season’s ever-presents, Jones scored two goals and assisted seven in what was a highly successful first season in the Adran Premier. That was highlighted at the end of season awards when Jones picked up the Adran Premier Young Player of the Year crown.
However, there will be some saying that Jones is already a standout player in this league, so why is she a one to watch? While Jones is a player known within Adran League circles, I firmly believe this is the season she breaks into the Welsh setup. Age group or senior team, Jones’ ability to link defence and attack is special, and Wales should capitalise on her unique abilities quickly.
If Jones can replicate her form over the last two seasons, it will be one to remember for her and for Wrexham.
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