For the first time in a long time, we had a full fixture list in the Adran Premier, Adran North, and Adran South this weekend.
As ever, there was plenty of goals, plenty of drama, and big consequences in all three tables.
Let’s take a look at the week that was.
Adran Premier
We begin this week at The Rock. Games between Wrexham and Briton Ferry are often eventful, and when they met earlier this season, it was Ferry who finally got their revenge on the Red Dragons. But there was to be no repeat of that on Sunday, as Wrexham made it back-to-back wins in the topflight, beating Rhys James’ side 3-0, and handing them their first league defeat in the process.
After making a strong start, the hosts were rewarded with the opening goal eleven minutes in, as Abbie Iddenden finished from Brooke Cairns’ clever pass through the defence. Only a handful of minutes later they had a second. We all know that Lili Jones is capable of producing spectacular moments, and she added another goal to her expanding highlight reel, as she beat Courtney Young from distance.
The poor start suddenly jolted Ferry into life and they began to try and find a route back into the contest. The closest they came was through Alison Witts, who struck a free kick off the post, but it seemed like nothing was going to beat Liz Craven in goal.
Instead, Wrexham increased their lead once again at the start of the second half. Brooke Cairns saw her effort blocked in the box, but there at the right time to turn the ball home was Olivia Fuller. Six goals in two league games for Wrexham now, who seem to be back on track after a poor start. For Ferry, it will be interesting to see how they recover after their first loss of the season.
With the newly promoted side stumbling, it gave other teams around them a chance to catch up. Swansea City were aiming to get back to winning ways after being stunned at home by TNS, while opponents Cardiff Met were looking to pick up their first win of the season. It was to be more misery for the Archers, as they were routed 4-0 by the Swans.
Throughout the first period Swansea created chance after chance. Jess Williams twice went close from set-pieces, Aimee Deacon found the side netting, while Stacey John-Davis saw her shot saved by Charlotte Smith. But Jamie Sherwood’s side eventually found the opening goal two minutes before the break, as Deacon headed home from Lucy Finch’s cross.
Deacon, however, wasn’t quite done for the half, and she added her and her team’s second in added time with a calm finish from Taite Trivett’s cross. Met simply had no answers for what was being thrown at them, and that narrative continued in the second half.
Robyn Pinder made it three with a sumptuous strike against her former club, before Deacon made it a game to remember by wrapping up her hat-trick midway through the half. Swansea now up to third in the table, while Met sink to the bottom of the table.
Three stars who shined as Cardiff City top Adran Premier with big win
Cardiff City leapt to the top of the table last week, and having got there, they weren’t prepared to loosen their grip. But a home test against Barry Town could prove to be tricky, especially as the Linnets have proven themselves to be real top four contenders in the first part of the season. Yet, they proved to be no match for the Bluebirds, as Iain Darbyshire’s side ran out 3-0 winners.
All the goals could be found in the first half. Fast starts are something City haven’t been used to this season, but they found themselves two up within the opening ten minutes. An own goal from Lauren Harris and a tap in from Eliza Collie made it an uphill battle for Barry.
The visitors simply couldn’t get out of their own half and create any chance of note, and the blue wave crashed into them once more four minutes before the end of the half. Having been played through beautifully by Kerry Walklett, Fiona Barry thundered an effort right into the top of the net and beyond the grasp of Molly Arnesen.
In the second half, City took their foot off the gas a little, but they still dominated every third of the pitch. There were plenty of half chances for them, but the closest they came was through Seren Thomas. The youngster was making her league debut, and almost made it a memorable one, but her strike from 30-yards cannoned off the crossbar.
While Barry will be disappointed to come away with a defeat, any side would have struggled against City on Sunday, and it will once again be tough to stop them this season.
The late game on Sunday came at Park Avenue. Aberystwyth Town, while winless, had shown glimpses of what they are capable of, but just needed that one game where everything clicked. Making the trip west were TNS, who were looking to bounce back after drawing with Barry last week. It wasn’t pretty, but the Saints found a way through, beating Aber 1-0.
The first half for both sides was frustrating, with neither really able to test the keepers. Lily Moralee-Hughes hit the side netting for the Seasiders, while Lexi Jones saw her shot blocked at the last second by Libby Isaac for the Saints. Aber could, and probably should, have had a penalty for a handball in the box, but the referee did not point to the spot.
Into the second half, and TNS began to build a collection of opportunities. Lia Lewis saw her shot held by Chelsea Herbert, Grace Dunkerley put the ball wide, while Chantelle Teare hit the crossbar.
But seven minutes from time the game changed, as the referee awarded TNS a penalty after Josie Pugh handballed in the area. Up stepped Lewis, who found the bottom corner with ease. A nervy but needed win for the Saints who climb to second in the Adran Premier.
Cardiff City 3-0 Barry Town: Bluebirds stay top of Adran Premier after dominant win
Adran North
Connah’s Quay made a statement signing in the week, as they secured the services of forward Ella Jones from Llandudno. The forward made her Nomads debut on Sunday, as her and her new team secured a 4-0 away win over Rhyl.
Jones wasted no time in making her mark on this game. She picked up two assists in the first 15 minutes: firstly, teeing up Phoebe Ellis and then Polly Wild-McGregor, and then scoring herself in the 16th minute to make it a dream debut.
Aimee Redfern came off the bench to score the fourth ten minutes before full time, as Connah’s Quay kept pace towards the top of the table.
They are still, however, second in the table, as they trail Llandudno on goal difference. It wasn’t easy for Dudno this weekend, but they secured a narrow 1-0 win over Bangor.
The only goal came in first half stoppage time, as Kelsey Davies converted from Jasmin Dutton’s pass through. Dudno have signed Sade Benjamin from Rhyl to try and replace Ella Jones, but it will be interesting to see how they get on for the rest of the season.
Llanfair United kept their good start to the season going, as they defeated Felinheli 2-1 at Mount Field.
After taking the lead through Emma Williams, Llanfair were pegged back at the start of the second half by Shannon Jones. But they would find a winner through Paris Schofield, as Llanfair go up to an impressive third in the Adran North.
The biggest win of the day was reserved for Flint Town United, as they hammered NFA 5-0.
The star of the show was Rosie Hughes, who bagged herself two goals and two assists. Also finding the target were Ruby McGilloway, Zoe Stopford, and Ruby Hastings. That was Flint’s first win of the season, and they move into the top half.
Wales’ former Spurs and Southampton star finding success in Australia
Adran South
The game of the day could be found at Motor Park Arena. Both Cwmbran Celtic and Pontypridd United are tipped to challenge for the title, and both showed why they deserved to be in the conversation on Sunday. But it was Ponty who emerged victorious, winning 4-3.
The Dragons made a storming start and found two goals before the half hour mark through Nicole Fenton and Quianna Wheeler. Lauren Boyd pulled one back for Celtic right on the stroke of half time, but Ponty responded at the start of the second half, as Lauren Payne scored two goals in the space of four minutes.
Boyd grabbed her second of the game through the penalty spot, before Jade Crofts reduced the deficit to one, but Ponty held on to increase their lead at the top of the table.
It was a day to remember for Penybont as they picked up their first ever Adran South win, beating Cascade 2-0.
Casey Daniels scored early in the first half, before Mollie Jones added a second six minutes into the second 45, as Bont moved up to fourth in the table.
Finally, there was also a first win of the season for Caldicot Town, as they picked up a 2-0 win at home to Llanelli Town.
Rianne Jones put Caldicot in front ten minutes before the end of the first period, and after a nervy second half, they managed to pull ahead nine minutes before the end through Annabel Carr.
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