Adran Premier stars shinning, including Cardiff City and Swansea City starters

The Adran Premier roars back into action for 2025 this weekend, with every team looking to end phase one on a high.

The bar has been once again lifted by so many good individual and team performances, but some have stood out more than most so far during this campaign.

Here are the five stars who have shinned the most so far in the Adran Premier.

Chantelle Teare (TNS)

It really is a new era at Park Hall, and Teare is certainly one of those who is the new face of that era.

It’s not like the last couple of seasons have been duds for Teare. Seven goals in the 2022/23 season was followed up by eight goals in the 2023/24 campaign. Not bad numbers at all for the forward, who shared the club’s golden boot award with Caitlin Chapman last year. However, this season is different.

Teare has already bagged five goals for Shauna Duffy’s side, but she’s operating at a different level. Her movement is sharp, and she can turn defenders on a sixpence. She always seems to have an extra yard of pace on her marker, and her shots are rarely off target.

2024 was a year to remember for the Saints, and if they are to continue that success into 2025, Teare is going to be a big part of it.

Tija Richardson (Briton Ferry)

We always look for feel good stories in football, and Tija Richardson is certainly one of those.

Let’s go back to the 2022/23 season. At Cardiff Met, Richardson had an outstanding year and was a major player in that Archers side that won the Adran Trophy. Her stellar campaign earned her a move to Cardiff City, and while she did win the treble, injuries came, and we never really saw the best of Richardson in a blue shirt, which was a shame to many.

Fast forward to this season, and the creative midfielder moves to Briton Ferry, and were are watching the Richardson of old down at Old Road. The former Bluebird has been putting in vintage display after vintage display, and she could well be the cog that was missing for a Ferry team who are performing well above expectations this season.

Plenty in red are having great seasons, from Laura-May Walkley to Fleur Jenkins to Brooke Llewellyn, but Richardson could well be the one for Rhys James’ side.

Ffion Price (Cardiff City)

When a defender is leading the scoring charts, you have to talk about it, especially when it’s Ffion Price.

Cardiff City lost a lot of talent and leadership over the summer. Siobhan Walsh, Emma Beynon, Seren Watkins, Rhianne Oakley, and Kelly Adams all departed the club, while Hannah Power has also been away. Others around the squad have had to step up and take the mantle, and Price has done exactly that.

With eight goals, she’s the current top scorer in the Adran Premier, but Price’s game is about more than just scoring. Her crosses have been nothing short of exemplary once more, her communication is non-stop, and she’s been able to play in a number of positions seamlessly in Iain Darbyshire’s system.

When we talk about the Adran Premier’s Mount Rushmore, Ffion Price will be in the discussion to be on it, and this season is yet more evidence of why that’s the case.

Molly Arnesen (Barry Town)

Goalkeeper is a position on the field that rarely gets its time in the spotlight, but Barry’s Molly Arnesen is a difference maker.

Erin Brennan had been a stalwart for the Linnets during their time so far in the Adran Premier, but when she retired before the start of the season, someone had to fill some really big shoes. Yet, Arnesen has done all that and more so far as a starter.

For a keeper so young, Arnesen oozes confidence. She knows how to position a defence, but it’s her shot stopping that makes a real standout in this league. Diving to either corner, springing into action to tip a ball over the bar, or getting out so quickly to make a wonder save.

Plenty of keepers are having great seasons, including Becca Elliott and Courtney Young, but the sudden emergence of Arnesen has been remarkable.

Jess Williams (Swansea City)

There’s been a lot of change over the years down at Swansea, but one constant has been Jess Williams.

Her defensive ability is second to none. There aren’t many who possess the speed that Williams does at the back, and the way she can close down some of the league’s pacey customers is second to none. Aerially too, there may only be a handful who can compete with the centre back.

But her ability with ball at feet is exceptional too. You only need to look at her assists to know that. With three assists to her name this season, she leads the team in that category. And with her passing range, she can start attacks from the back, and the Swans benefit greatly from that.

Jamie Sherwood has plenty of talent at Llandarcy, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Jess Williams is the first name on his team sheet every week.

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)