It was a quiet week in the Adran Leagues, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t any drama.
The Adran North and Adran South took a week off, but there was a full fixture list in the Adran Premier, along with two rearranged ties in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup.
Let’s take a look back at the week that was.
Adran Premier
We begin this week with an intriguing tie at Cardiff City Stadium. Champions Cardiff City had started the season with two wins, but their performances still left a lot to be desired. A real contender to their crown this season are TNS, who also came into this game having won their opening two fixtures and scored eleven goals in the process. But City showed what true champions are made of, as they defeated the Saints 2-0.
While the first half didn’t produce anything clear cut in terms of chances, there was plenty of attacking intent. For the hosts, Eliza Collie and Ffion Price were both denied by Becca Elliott, while at the other end, Ceryn Chamberlain had to be alert to deny Maria Francis-Jones’ free kick from going in.
Into the second half, and the champions roared in front. Molly Kehoe’s through ball found the run of Lisa Owen, who fired the ball past Elliot. It’s been a tremendous start to the campaign from Owen, and she is showing no signs of slowing down.
The Saints tried everything they could to find a route back into the game, and while they pushed bodies forward, they were caught out on the counter. New signing Laura Curnock bagged her first goal for the club with a fine turn and finish.
It’s still early in the season, but this result shows that, while the Bluebirds are a much-changed outfit this season, their winning mentality is still there.
Next up, a trip to Old Road. Briton Ferry are acclimatising to Adran Premier life very well having won their opening two games without conceding a goal. This week, they welcomed Cardiff Met, who have had a tricky start to the season having faced Swansea City and Cardiff City. It was Ferry who continued their dream start to the campaign, as they dismantled Met 5-0.
From the off, Ferry gained full control of the match, and they were rewarded with the opening goal on the half hour mark. The Met keeper came to meet Lucy Powell’s free kick, but instead of claiming it, punched it straight at Tija Richardson. Instead of shooting, Richardson laid the ball over to Alison Witts, who rolled the ball into an empty net.
What Met couldn’t afford to do was concede another before the break, but that’s exactly what happened. More relentless pressure resulted in Laura-May Walkley crossing the ball across to Maia Owen, who had the easiest of finishes.
Chris Baker’s side did show some signs of life early in the second half, but they couldn’t test Courtney Young in the Ferry net. Having used most of their energy to find a route back into the contest, gaps started opening up at the back, and the home side took full advantage by scoring three goals in the closing stages.
Owen found her second with a strike at the near post, while new signing Catryn Cook scored her first two goals for her new club, as Ferry climb to the top of the table after three games. Next week sees Rhys James take his side north to face Shauna Duffy’s TNS, a game that on paper, looks set to be a thriller.
To the STōK Cae Ras now, and to a Wrexham team who needed something. The team that finished third last season had failed to pick up a point or score a goal in their opening fixtures. Making the trip up to face the Red Dragons were Swansea City, who were frustrated by Barry Town last weekend. Swansea, however, were able to find their scoring boots this weekend, as they picked up a 3-2 win on the road.
The Swans made the perfect start to the contest, as Robyn Pinder’s superlative cross found the head of Stacey John-Davis, who nodded into the far corner. Jamie Sherwood’s team continued to dominate the game but became the makers of their own downfall late in the half, as Wrexham drew level. The experienced Nia Jones lost possession of the ball, and she was punished, as Ava Suckley found the bottom corner.
You would assume the equaliser would boost Wrexham’s confidence heading into the second period, but instead, they struggled to break through a resolute Swans defence, and they were undone by two set piece routines. Firstly, Jess Williams got on the end of Katy Hosford’s corner, before Katie Sharp headed into her own net.
Rosie Hughes did find a late consolation goal, and she could’ve drawn the Red Dragons level in dramatic fashion with the final kick of the game, but Williams got back to make a superb block. Swansea remain unbeaten, while Wrexham are still without a point.
And finally, to Jenner Park. Having picked up a memorable draw at the Swansea.com Stadium, confidence was flowing throughout this Barry Town team. Up against them were Aberystwyth Town, who suffered a bruising loss up at TNS last weekend. It was to be another long trip for Aber, as Barry picked up a 4-0 win.
With the first half looking set to end level, Barry found two goals to gain an advantage heading back into the dressing room. Erin Murray found the bottom corner after being laid up by Ellie Gunney, before Jasmine Turner looped the ball over Chelsea Herbert from 30-yards out.
Despite Aber pushing for a goal, they were caught out on the counter twice. Ingrid Ådland showed great composure to convert an Ellie Preece cross, and it was Preece herself who finished the rout, as she slotted home after some great work down the wing by Emily Freeman.
A first win of the season for Barry, but for Aber, they sit bottom.
Three stars who shined as Barry Town defeat Aberystwyth Town in Adran Premier
Bute Energy Welsh Cup
There were two rearranged fixtures in this year’s Bute Energy Welsh Cup being played on Sunday afternoon.
Firstly, Penclawdd booked their spot in the first round with an eyebrow-raising 15-1 victory over Abertillery Belles. There were four goals each for Alex Davies and Hannah Williams, while Emily Jenkinson found the net a remarkable six times. Their reward is a home tie against the reigning champions, Cardiff City.
In the other game, Cambrian United eased into the next round with a 7-0 win away to Llantwit Fadre. The performance of the day came from Tayla Gould, as she scored two goals as well as bagging an assist. They will be at home in the next round to Johnstown.
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