Connah’s Quay and Cwmbran Celtic amongst stars shinning in Adran North and Adran South
CONNAH'S QUAY, WALES - 6TH OCTOBER 2024: Connah's Quay Nomads' Anais Bathily makes it 2-0 during the Genero Adran North fixture between Connah's Quay Nomads Women and Llanfair United Women at The Poppies 3G, Connah's Quay. 6th of October, Flint, Wales (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)
The football season is ready to get back underway in 2025, but so far in the Adran North and Adran South, plenty of players have stood out.
A number of teams are pushing for their respective titles, and with it, a place in the playoff final to reach the Adran Premier.
There have been so many players who have set new boundaries during the campaign so far, but here are the five who are playing at the top of their game.
The stars shining in the Adran North
Polly Wild-McGregor (Connah’s Quay)
If you’re looking for the Adran North equivalent to Fenton, look no further than the Nomads’ Polly Wild-McGregor.
Having taken on the captaincy at the start of the season, the attacking prodigy has gone from strength to strength. With ten goals under her belt, she is the top scorer in the Adran Leagues.
Last season was disappointing for those at Connah’s Quay, who watched Llandudno lift the title for the second time in three years. But with a victory over Dudno already this season, along with signing Ella Jones from them, things are certainly looking up for the Deeside outfit.
Without a doubt, the performances of Wild-McGregor is propelling the Nomads to new heights, and if she carries on this form, she will be setting new record after new record.
Rosie Hughes (Flint Town United)
Now some of you may be surprised to hear that there are two Rosie Hughes’, but Flint’s Hughes is well and truly tearing up the league.
What Hughes can do is a bit of everything. With four goals and five assists, Hughes can act as a metronome for a Flint side that is settling into Adran North life well. With someone like her in their lineup, Flint will always have a chance against any opposition.
As well as performing admirably as an individual, Hughes is also linking up well with those around her. Zoe Stopford, Ruby Hastings and Jennifer Haynes are just some of those benefitting from Hughes’ rich vein of form.
Flint may not challenge for the title this season, but if Hughes can continue to do what she’s doing, then anything is possible in seasons to come.
Kelsey Davies (Llandudno)
When you lose a key player, you need others to step up, and Kelsey Davies has certainly done that for Llandudno.
When Ella Jones departed for pastures new, many feared about where the goals and creativity would come from in this Dudno outfit, but Davies has once again proven so far this season why she’s one of the best players in the second tier.
With four goals and four assists to her name, Davies is helping to find ways to win for the Seasiders. The Adran North was always going to be a heavyweight scrap between Davies’ Dudno and Connah’s Quay, but if she maintains this level of performance, Llandudno will always be in with a chance.
The reigning Adran North champions have always had difference makers throughout the years, and Davies is just another one of those.
The stars in the Adran South
Nicole Fenton (Pontypridd United)
Pontypridd lost a lot of experience over the summer after their relegation from the Adran Premier, and questions were raised over who could be their taliswoman. Step up Nicole Fenton.
If you’re looking for a player who can do a bit of everything, look no further than Fenton. In just five Adran South games, the maestra has recorded six goals and five assists. Her eleven goal contributions are the joint highest amount across all three Adran divisions.
While Fenton may be shining brighter than most, there are a lot of youngsters at Ponty who are really improving. Lauren Payne, Sophie McMullen, and Caitlin Seaborne just some of those who are helping the Dragons in their title charge.
If Ponty are unsuccessful in their quest to reach the top tier once again, there will no doubt be plenty of interest in Fenton, who is proving to be one of the country’s brightest talents.
Natalia Shwartz (Cwmbran Celtic)
Often, attacking talents will take the headlines, but Natalia Shwartz is proving to be just as important as those putting the ball in the back of the net.
The likes of Jade Crofts and Katie Williams have been starring at the top end of the pitch for the Adran South leaders, but Shwartz has been part of a compact and tight-knit unit at the back. Celtic have kept the highest number of clean sheets in the league so far, and it’s no surprise with players like Shwartz marshalling the back line.
It’s not easy to keep pace with plenty of pacey forwards lurking around the south, but Shwartz always seems to be in the right place at the right time to snuff out any danger, and then set her team up to attack.
The saying goes, attack wins you games, but defence wins you championships. If Shwartz and Co. can continue their good form, who knows where they’ll be come April.
