For the first time in a few weeks, we had a full schedule in the Adran Leagues this week, with Adran North and South games taking place alongside the Adran Premier.
Goals, drama and rarities were all the range this weekend, as clubs continued to look for early season form.
Let’s take a look back at the week that was.
Adran Premier
We begin with the South Wales derby. Both Swansea City and Cardiff City had made unbeaten starts in the Adran Premier, and this clash in front of over 2000 fans at the Swansea.com Stadium was intriguing to say the least. The last time these two did battle was in the Adran Trophy final, where the Bluebirds put five past the Swans. This time, it was Swansea who get their revenge, picking up a 1-0 win over the champions.
Big games like these are often cagey and chanceless, and this contest was no different. The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in the first half was through Ffion Price’s cross turned shot, which was parried away well by Claire Skinner. The biggest talking points of the half came through two typical derby day tackles committed by Stacey John-Davis and Robyn Pinder. Both picked up yellow cards.
After an uneventful first 45, Swansea came to life at the beginning of the second half and scored the only goal of the game ten minutes into it. Capitalising on slack passing in the Bluebirds defence, Stacey John-Davis swept in and fired home to make the stadium erupt.
Cardiff couldn’t muster up any sort of response, struggling to break down the Swansea defence. In fact, the hosts could have gone further ahead, but Jess Williams poked her effort the wrong side of the post. It mattered not in the end, as Jamie Sherwood’s side claimed South Wales bragging rights.
Swansea City 1-0 Cardiff City: Swans turn South Wales black and white with Adran Premier triumph
To Park Hall next for a clash between two of the league’s most exciting teams. TNS’ pacey and skilful side and found early success but suffered an away defeat to Cardiff City last time out. New kids on the block Briton Ferry, on the other hand, romped their way to three fine victories to start the season, and came into this game top of the table. Ferry would stay in first place come the end of the weekend, as they drew 1-1 with the Saints.
The game started evenly as both teams created chances, but it was the visitors who took the lead. Maia Owen’s driven cross into the box was met by Alison Witts, who powered in from close range. They couldn’t hold on to their lead before the break, as Molly Havard’s low shot from outside the box nestled in the bottom corner to restore parity.
Witts almost scored her second at the beginning of the half, but a fine stop from TNS keeper Becca Elliot denied her. While the Saints shot stopper was performing heroics, Courtney Young at the other end found herself in a world of trouble. A cynical tackle on TNS’ Chantelle Teare left the referee no option but to send Young off. With no keeper on the bench, Olivia Kett-White, who normally plays at centre-back, came on for her Adran Premier debut in goal.
A game changing moment like that could easily make a team wilt, but not this Ferry team. Despite a player disadvantage, Rhys James’ side looked the better team for the rest of the game and almost scored a winner, but Tija Richardson could only find the side netting. Kett-White never looked under threat, and put in an assured performance between the sticks, to make sure Ferry stole a deserved point away from TNS.
Three stars who shined as Swansea City pick up Adran Premier win over Cardiff City
Two winless teams met in West Wales. Aberystwyth Town and Wrexham had endured torrid starts to their seasons, but a win for either side here could be the catalyst that both needed to kickstart their season. It was the Hollywood Reds that picked up the three points on the round, defeating Aber 3-1.
The first half perhaps summed up how both teams had looked in their first three games. In stages, they looked promising, but when it came to scoring, there was something missing. Long shots and efforts straight at keepers dominated proceedings in the first period. Something needed to change, and Wrexham were the ones to do that.
After a flurry of early chances to open the second half, they opened the scoring. Olivia Fuller’s free kick was glanced into her own net by Libby Isaac. Not the scorer Wrexham would have wanted, but they didn’t care.
Steve Dale’s side continued to dominate after the goal, and they grabbed a deserved second in the 76th minute, as Amber Lightfoot converted from Abbie Iddenden’s clever through ball. But Aber struck an unexpected response, and they did so in fine fashion, as Imi Scourfield scored a thunderbolt from distance, quite apt in the wet conditions at Park Avenue.
But it would be Wrexham who’d get the last laugh, as Carra Jones scored their third of the game late on. A much-needed win for last season’s third place team.
Finally, to Cyncoed. A host of former Cardiff Met players now call Barry Town home, and Sunday was a chance for many of them to get reacquainted with familiar surroundings. Those old faces would haunt the winless Archers, as Barry raced to a 5-1 win.
Met started the brighter of the two teams, but found themselves behind midway through the half, as Erin Murray’s turn and shot put Barry in front. The Linnets would add a second right on the stroke of half time, as Amy Long scored from an exceptional counterattack which was led by Jasmine Turner.
Two former Archers had scored the opening two goals, and it was yet another who added Barry’s third on the hour mark: Ellie Preece with a fine finish. But Town weren’t done scoring there, as Keira Harris scored her first for the club, before captain Emily Freeman scored a stunner.
The hosts pulled one back late on, but it was nothing more than a consolation. Next up for Met is a fixture against Aberystwyth, a game that is massive for all concerned. For Barry, they welcome Wrexham to Jenner Park.
Adran North
For the second league game in a row, Llandudno scored six, as they hammered Flint Town United 6-1.
There was no doubting who the star performer was, as Ella Jones scored a remarkable four goals in the game to keep Dudno top. The other goal scorers for the Seasiders were Jasmin Dutton and Angharad Jones.
After the game, manager Billy Fuller resigned from his role as manager. His assistant, Jay Davies, will now take charge until the end of the season.
After their opening game was postponed, Connah’s Quay started life in the Adran North in fine fashion, beating Llanfair United 6-0.
Captain Polly Wild-McGregor certainly made her mark on this league straight away, as she scored three and picked up an assist in the win. Anais Bathily, Phoebe Ellis and Mel Barlow were also on target for a Nomads team with big ambitions this season.
The Nomads’ first opponents were meant to be Felinheli, and they too got off to a winning start, running out 3-1 winners over NFA.
Rubie Davies got Felin off to a perfect start, but Claire Smedley levelled for NFA midway through the half. However, second half strikes from Ellie Jones and Llywela Edwards saw last season’s third place team pick up all three points.
Bangor remain unbeaten at the start of the season, as they drew 1-1 at home to Rhyl.
Ashleigh Jones had put Bangor ahead just after the half hour mark, but they were pegged back right before the break, with the ever-reliable Sade Benjamin sealing a point for the Lilywhites.
Adran South
Pontypridd United made it two wins from two in the league, as they defeated Caldicot Town 5-1.
Sophie McMullen scored a brace, with Nicole Fenton, Lauren Payne, and Faye Marshall also scoring. Fenton also picked up two assists, taking her tally up to four for the season already. China Cooper-Jones scored for Caldicot.
One place behind Ponty are Cwmbran Celtic, and they prevailed 4-2 over Cascade.
A topsy-turvy half saw Cascade go in front through Olivia Townsend, but goals from Lauren Boyd and Fiona Anthony put Cwmbran ahead. However, on the stroke of half time, Cascade equalised thanks to Ellis Lunn.
But Celtic found their stride in the second half to claim all three points, as Boyd added a second from the penalty spot, and Eloise Meaney scored her first of the season.
And finally, Swansea University picked up their first win of the campaign, as they hammered Llanelli Town 6-2.
There was a brace each for two of the side’s more experienced players in Hannah Pinney and Charley Haynes, while Lauren Baker and Jacqueline Maddock also got their names on the scoresheet. Bryanna Demery scored two late consolation goals for Llanelli.
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