Wrexham shock Cardiff City, and Connah’s Quay win the title

Only a handful of games remain in this season’s Adran Premier, and each game carries with it huge consequences.

As ever, the tense moments weren’t solely reserved for the topflight, with action in the Adran North and Adran South proving to be just as exciting.

Let’s take a look back at the week that was.

Adran Premier – Championship Conference

We begin with a clash between two of Wales’ in form sides at Leckwith. After their big win at Briton Ferry last weekend, Cardiff City were aiming to extend their lead at the top, but opponents Wrexham had put together a remarkable run of games and could make an unexpected run for second place. And history was made in South Wales, as Wrexham beat Cardiff City for the first time ever, prevailing 2-1.

Both keepers were forced into action early on. Ceryn Chamberlain made a superb stop to deny Carra Jones, while Liz Craven kept out Lily Billingham. The half kept ebbing one way and then the other, but it was the reigning champions who took the lead on the half hour mark. From a corner, Billingham managed to fire the ball through a crowd of bodies and into the bottom corner.

But before the half came to an end, Wrexham found a leveller. Ava Suckley has been a woman on fire in recent weeks, and her hot streak continued here, as she burst through the defence before slotting past Chamberlain.

Into the second half and the open nature of the game continued. Billingham was proving herself to be a difficult customer for the Wrexham defence to deal with, and her turn and shot on the edge of the box looked destined to nestle in the corner, but the ball clipped the outside of the post.

Moments later, and Wrexham put themselves in front. After failing to clear a goalmouth scramble, Cardiff were punished, as Abbie Iddenden struck the Red Dragons in front. City struggled to find an equaliser throughout the half. If it was going to happen, Fiona Barry was going to be the one to score it, but twice she failed to find the target.

And 2-1 is how it ended. While it may be too little too late for Wrexham to win the title, this run of form will have many wondering what could have been. However, heading into next week’s Bute Energy Welsh Cup semi-final, are they odds on favourites to win the whole competition?

With the Bluebirds stumbling, an opportunity opened up at Park Hall. Both TNS and Briton Ferry have shown this season they can beat Iain Darbyshire’s side, and if one could prevail on Sunday, maybe it could be them lifting the trophy come the end of the season. And it was yet another late late show for Ferry, as they came from behind to defeat the Saints 2-1.

Rhys James’ team started the better of the two and created opportunities early on, but both Alice Broadley and Alison Witts failed to test Megan Bowen in the TNS goal. The hosts would punish them for those wasted chances 15 minutes in, as they took the lead. Molly Havard’s cross caused havoc in the Ferry defence, and it ended in Broadley heading the ball into her own net.

The rest of the first half went by without incident, but at the start of the second, a lifeline for Ferry. Bowen brought down Maia Owen in the area, leading to the referee awarding a penalty. Up stepped Witts, but her spot kick was saved by Bowen.

TNS failed to capitalise on their reprieve, struggling to create anything against a stout Ferry defence. And having held their own at the back, the visitors finally got their equaliser midway through the second half. Jess Denscombe’s corner fell to Lowri Ridings at the far post, who had the simple task of heading home.

And just as the game looked destined to end level, Briton Ferry conjured up yet another moment of late magic. Megan Kearle fed through Laura-May Walkley, and from 30-yards out, the former Wales international found the bottom corner to wrap up all three points.

Aberystwyth Town captain hails team’s resilience after important win

Adran Premier – Plate Conference

At Cyncoed, two teams in desperate need of a win met. Cardiff Met needed to win to simply give themselves a hope of staying in the division. Swansea City needed to win in order to boost confidence. Once again, it was late heartbreak for Met, as Swansea snatched a 2-1 win.

Swansea created chance after chance early on but couldn’t breach Charlotte Smith’s goal. Stacey John-Davis headed wide, Aimee Deacon hit the post, while Katy Hosford’s dangerous corners into the box narrowly missed the mark.

One positive about the Archers in recent weeks has been their ability to counter, and that was on show again in this game. India Shanahan, Beca Thomas and Niamh Duggan looked particularly dangerous, but Charlie Haynes in the Swans net did a superb job of denying the trio.

And how Swansea took advantage, as they took the lead with 20 minutes remaining. An inviting cross from Taite Trivett was turned into her own net by Celyn Garton. Yet, just ten minutes later, the relegation threatened hosts equalised. Shanahan was able to find a pocket of space in the box and powered past Haynes.

A valuable point was almost secured for Met, but with two minutes remaining, Swansea stole all three points. Trivett again was key, and this time, her cross found a teammate, and former Archers captain Steph Turner was able to turn the ball home from close range.

Met’s relegation could be confirmed the next time they play, while for the Swans, the three points keep them top of the Plate Conference.

Met’s defeat provided a chance for Aberystwyth Town to stretch their advantage in their race for survival. They were on the road once again, this time facing Barry Town at Jenner Park. Clearly, last week’s win at Cyncoed had a positive effect on the Seasiders, as they made it back-to-back league wins for the first time since April 2023, beating Barry 3-1.

The game started perfectly from a Barry point of view, as they took the lead after twelve minutes. Lining up a free kick from just outside the box, Jasmine Turner stepped up and found the top corner with a sumptuous strike.

But a minute later, Aber had a chance to equalise from the penalty spot, as Lleucu Mathias was fouled in the box by Holly Jenkins. Up stepped Libby Isaac, who found the bottom corner. It was quickly turning into a game fuelled by set pieces, and it was another one that saw Aber take the lead. Against her former club, Carys Bufton lifted the ball perfectly over Molly Arnesen to give the visitors a vital lead at the interval.

The second half was tense, with the game flowing one way and then the other. Barry couldn’t create anything of note, and right at the end, they were punished for it. A loose pass was latched onto by substitute Lily Moralee-Hughes, who squeezed the ball in at the near post.

Erin Murray was sent off for a second bookable offence late on for Barry, who make it three games without a win in the league. For Aber, they can officially survive relegation in two weeks’ time.

Aberystwyth Town on brink of survival after beating Barry Town

Adran North

There were plenty of joy and jubilation at Connah’s Quay on Sunday, as they won the Adran North by dismantling NFA 12-0.

In what was a festival of goals at The Quay, Anna Marsh scored a hat-trick, there were braces for Poppy Kendrick-Jones and Keira Hardstaff, while Polly Wild-McGregor, Ella Jones, Evie Chard, and Natasha Spearing also found their way onto the scoresheet. There was also an unfortunate own goal from NFA captain Amy Webster.

After finishing runners-up in the past two seasons, the Nomads are finally the Adran North brides rather than the bridesmaids. They will now prepare for the Adran Premier playoff, which will take place in April. NFA, meanwhile, now need to win all their remaining games in order to not finish bottom of the table.

Elsewhere, Llanfair United confirmed a second-place finish in the Adran North after beating Bangor 4-0 away from home.

Harriet Davies made it twelve league goals for the season, while Mary Griffiths, Millie Evans, and Emma Williams were also on target. It’s been a sensational season for the mid Wales side, who can now harbour hopes of a title challenge next season.

In the battle to finish third, Felinheli and Llandudno drew 2-2 at Cae Seilo.

Dudno made a quick start by scoring two within the opening twelve minutes, with both goals coming courtesy of Kelsey Davies. But Y Felin rallied back in style to claim a point. Jenna Allsup pulled one back midway through the first half, before Llywela Edwards equalised after the hour mark.

Rhyl ended their two-game losing streak with an impressive 2-1 home win over Flint Town United.

Emily Bentley put the hosts in front halfway through the first period, and Rebecca Bannister managed to add a second in the second 45. Ruby Hastings did pull one back for Flint, but they were unable to snatch a point late on.

Adran South

The top two met on Singleton Campus in the Adran South, and it was Pontypridd United who took a huge step towards the title, as they defeated Swansea University 2-0.

After a goalless first half, Quianna Wheeler put the Dragons in front, before the mercurial Nicole Fenton sealed all three points with six minutes left. If results go their way, Ponty could be confirmed as champions in their next league game. But for now, their focus will be on Wrexham and the Welsh Cup semi-final.

Penybont returned to winning ways with a 6-1 win over bottom of the table Caldicot Town.

Mollie Jones had put Bont in front, but Sarah Sprintall shortly equalised for Caldicot in her first game of the season. Yet, Penybont raced away from their opponents with a blistering display. Layla Williams scored two, while Maisy Fahey-Pennell, Mikaela Hood and Holly Broad also found the back of the net.

And finally, Cascade needed a late winner to defeat Llanelli Town 2-1 at Stebonheath Park.

It was in fact Llanelli who went in front through Stacey Webber in the first half, but Annaliese Lewis levelled proceedings. Then, in the seventh minute of added time, Erin Parry scored her third league goal of the season to steal the win for the team from Ystrad Mynach.

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)