There was a mix of league and cup action on Sunday, with big results leading to big consequences throughout the Welsh pyramid.
As well as the Adran Premier, the postponed fixtures from last week’s Bute Energy Welsh Cup also took place.
Let’s take a look back at the week that was.
Adran Premier
We begin this week at Park Avenue. Aberystwyth Town were buoyant after picking up their first league points of the season away to Cardiff Met last time out, and at home, they always fancy themselves. Opponents Cardiff City came into this in unfamiliar territory, having not won in the league for two whole games. For some time, it looked like they would make it three, but the Bluebirds rallied back to defeat Aber 4-2.
A positive City start led to a multitude of chances. Mikayla Cook, Ffion Price and Lily Billingham all went close, but none of them could put the ball in the back of the net. And often in football, if you don’t take your chances, you get punished, and Iain Darbyshire’s side were certainly kicking themselves at the break.
Lleucu Mathias put the Seasiders ahead through a magnificent free kick, before her namesake, Rebecca, added an unexpected second for Chris Church’s team. Aberystwyth had never beaten Cardiff City before, but suddenly, they were only 45 minutes away from doing so.
Yet, when you face a team who are coming off the back of a treble winning season, you expect a fightback, and boy did the capital team show some fight. Ffion Price halved the deficit on the hour mark, and that gave her side a new lease of life.
Suddenly, Fiona Barry forced Mia Gleave into a fine stop, while Price went when step closer when her strike thundered off the crossbar. But there is an inevitability to Price, and low and behold, she would be the one to put City level with a cracking shot into the bottom corner.
Now with momentum fully behind them, the Bluebirds wanted to go out and get the job done, and yet again, it was Price who would send her team and bench into a state of euphoria. From distance, she lined up a free kick and proceeded to loop the ball over Gleave and into the back of the net. Comeback completed.
Barry would put the cherry on top of the cake in added time, as City got themselves back to winning ways, and back to the top of the table. Aber will certainly be wondering how they let their lead slip, but City showed once more just what champions are capable of.
Slovakia 2-1 Wales: Wales left with glimmer of hope after disappointing performance
Now for two games in North Wales, with the first of those taking place at Park Hall. TNS certainly looked like a team who could challenge for the title in the early phases of the season, while opponents Barry Town had shown signs that they were ready to break into the top four for the first time. A cagey match was perhaps expected, and so it proved, as both teams played out a 1-1 draw.
All the goals could be found in the opening ten minutes. It was the Saints who broke the deadlock, as Lexi Jones calmy slotted home from Maria Francis-Jones’ pinpoint through ball. But only four short minutes later, Barry restored parity; Ellie Preece capitalising on a poor back pass from Tiggy Webb and finishing past Becca Elliott.
TNS certainly had the better of the chances in the first 45. Chantelle Teare was denied by Molly Arnesen, Francis-Jones sent an effort wide, before the Wales international went one step closer by hitting the crossbar.
Barry looked better in the second period, but Preece was denied by Elliott. Half chances followed throughout, but in the end, neither could find that crucial second goal. On the whole, a good result for both sides.
Now we make the short trip across to The Rock. Wrexham have been performing well below par in their opening fixtures and needed points just to keep pace with the top five. Cardiff Met were the visitors, who themselves finally picked up a league point last time out. There was to be no more points for the Archers, as Wrexham ran out 3-0 winners.
As expected, Wrexham made a bright start and were rewarded for that midway through the half, as Abbie Iddenden stroke home a calm finish past Charlotte Smith. Despite seeing one hit the back of the net, Smith wasn’t deterred, and made saves to deny Iddenden, Lili Jones, and Amber Lightfoot.
It was more one-way traffic in the second half, and Wrexham did eventually manage to find the second goal ten minutes into it. Iddenden’s through ball was finessed home by who else, but Rosie Hughes. The goal hungry Red Dragons ended the day with a third deep into the half, with Olivia Fuller slamming home.
A return to form for Steve Dale’s side, but for Met, the gap between them and the sides above them is increasing.
Slovakia 2-1 Wales player ratings: Two 4s and one 8 as Wales falter in Poprad
Bute Energy Welsh Cup
In the rearranged first round Welsh Cup fixtures, there were to be no real shocks.
Swansea City sealed a safe passage through into the second round with an 11-0 victory over Talycopa. Three players managed to get hat-tricks for the Swans: Emily Richards, Aimee Deacon, and Taite Trivett. There was also a hat-trick of assists for Sammy Wynne. Next up for the Adran Premier side will be a trip away to Carmarthen Town.
The other Adran Premier side in action were Briton Ferry, and they also managed to push through into the second round with a 5-0 away win over Taffs Well. There were braces for Megan Kearle and Alison Witts, along with a single strike for Aimee Heath. Ferry will now face Penydarren away from home.
In the battle of the Adran South sides, it was Cascade who came out on top, as they triumphed over Cwmbran Celtic 4-1. Annaliese Lewis, Phoebe Ware, Ellis Lunn and Olivia Townsend were all on the scoresheet, as they booked a trip away to holders Cardiff City.
Finally, Caldicot Town sealed a spot in the second round with a 12-1 win away to Cardiff Wanderers. There were a remarkable five goals for Rianne Jones, while Annabel Carr bagged four herself. Caldicot will be at home next, as they welcome Barry Town.
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