Storm Bert unfortunately took plenty of games away from us this weekend, including one in the Adran Premier.
Aberystwyth Town’s trip to Briton Ferry was called off, as were a total of four other games across the Adran North and Adran South.
However, with the games remaining, we had some simply incredible results!
Let’s take a look back at the week that was.
Adran Premier
We begin this week in North Wales and in Oswestry. TNS went into the afternoon in second place and were certainly in the race for the title. Up against them were northern rivals Wrexham, who were on a run of three consecutive league wins. That run came to an abrupt end on Sunday, as the Saints maintained their Adran Premier charge with a 1-0 win at Park Hall.
After a slow start, TNS began to create chances, as Chantelle Teare hit the side netting. More sustained TNS pressure followed, but Wrexham still possessed a threat, as Rosie Hughes’ close-range strike was saved by Becca Elliott. But on the stroke of half time, TNS broke the deadlock, as Lexi Jones converted from Teare’s cross.
With one goal under their belt, Shauna Duffy’s side set off on trying to double their advantage, but that second goal evaded them. Grace Dunkerley had a header saved well by Lizzie Craven, Jones and Caitlin Chapman sent shots wide, while Olivia Buckland couldn’t find the target.
Wrexham did string together a couple of opportunities, but Mari Gibbard and Rebecca Pritchard’s long-range strikes didn’t test Elliott in goal. All in all, a comfortable afternoon for the Saints, who keep their title dreams alive. For Wrexham, they stay in sixth, and three points off the top four.
Now to head south and to the capital derby. Cardiff Met needed to find some inspiration from somewhere, or they faced being cut adrift towards the bottom of the table. A fixture against Cardiff City would probably not have been their ideal choice in such a tough run, as the Bluebirds looked to keep their spot at the top of the table. The Archers would remain winless, as City strode to a 4-1 win.
After a handful of chances to start the game, the visitors would break the deadlock midway through the first half, as Fiona Barry kept her scoring streak going with a smart finish into the bottom corner. They could have had more than just a one goal lead at the break, but Barry and Mikayla Cook spurned chances.
If Met were going to score, it was going to come through India Shanahan. Throughout the first half, whilst feeding off scraps, the striker tried and tried to test Anna Phelps in the City net, but couldn’t get past her. Things would get worse for Shanahan and Co. at the beginning of the second period, as Eliza Collie finished expertly.
Just a minute later, the Bluebirds got their third of the afternoon, as Barry chipped over Charlotte Smith. That’s now four goals in three league games for the young forward. There was a moment of joy for the Archers, as Shanahan raced through and pulled one back. Was this the start of the comeback?
The answer to that would be no. Laura Curnock was fouled in the area with 20 minutes to go, resulting in the referee awarding a penalty. Up stepped Ffion Price, who made no mistake, as she extended her lead in the race for the Golden Boot.
A thoroughly professional job from Iain Darbyshire’s side, who keep their spot on top of the table. For Met, they need a win from somewhere to make sure the season doesn’t spiral out of control.
At Jenner Park, there was a clash of two teams looking to make it into the top four. Barry Town were proving to be tricky opponents in the Adran Premier, having only lost two games all season. Swansea City were the visitors to the south coast, who themselves were looking to make it two wins on the bounce. For all the while, it looked like it was the Swans who would win the contest, but late drama meant Barry salvaged a point a claim a 2-2 draw.
After a cagey opening, it was the Linnets who struck first. Jasmine Turner’s smart ball through found the run of Erin Murray, who slotted past Charlie Haynes. Swansea looked to hit back before the break, but the closest they came was through Emily Richards’ free kick from distance, which clipped the top of the crossbar.
Whatever manager Jamie Sherwood told his team at the break seemed to work, as Swansea hit back in style. Firstly, Stacey John-Davis capitalised on some poor set-piece defending from Barry by slamming the ball home on the turn, before Richards latched onto Aimee Deacon’s pass and clipped the ball in off the inside of the post.
It looked like Swansea would hold on and seal all three points, but in stoppage time, all that changed. Barry hadn’t threatened for the majority of the second half, but from a corner, Ellie Gunney rose highest and nodded down past Haynes. Barry are now unbeaten against the Swans this season, but crucially, both teams are in the top four after that draw.
Barry Town 2-2 Swansea City: Barry salvage point with stoppage time equaliser
Adran North
The main event of the day came in the Adran North in the form of the Flintshire Derby. Connah’s Quay were looking to jump to the top of the table, while Flint Town United were hoping to cause one monumental upset. In a game that twisted one way and then the other, it was the Nomads who recorded a 3-2 win.
It was a bright start for Jordan Parry’s side, who had two chances to score early on, but Ella Jones saw the ball flash past the post, while Alisha Whitehead-Hughes hit the post. Therefore, it came as a surprise when it was Flint who took the lead, as Ruby Hastings calmly put the ball past Molly France.
However, the hosts responded in style and scored two before heading back into the dressing room. Captain Polly Wild-McGregor fired home the equaliser, before Ella Jones chipped the ball beautifully over the keeper.
It would’ve been easy for Flint to wilt under pressure, but they are made of stern stuff, and levelled brilliantly through Rosie Hughes. With the game looking certain to end level, Aimee Redfern struck spectacularly in the 94th minute to send the home fans into a state of euphoria.
A game that encapsulated the quality and entertainment in the second tier, but a win that puts the Nomads at the top.
While the game between Felinheli and Llandudno did go ahead, it was abandoned at half time due to an injury to the referee.
Dudno were ahead through Maddie Williams, but the tie will now have to be replayed at a later date.
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Adran South
The only game in the Adran South came at Singleton Campus, where Cwmbran Celtic jumped level on points with leaders Pontypridd United by defeating Swansea University 1-0.
The only goal of the game came just after the half hour mark, and perhaps predictably, it came from Jade Crofts, with an assist from goalkeeper Amie Preston. Crofts now jumps to the top of the scoring chart, with that being her fourth goal of the campaign.
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