Adran Premier Team of the Season dominated by Cardiff City and TNS

It’s been an Adran Premier season full of twists and turns, but it ended with Cardiff City winning the title for a third straight season.

While the Bluebirds celebrate, plenty of other clubs have made tremendous strides, and have really shaken up the status quo.

So many players have stood out, so without further ado, here is our Adran Premier Team of the Season!

ADRAN PREMIER TEAM OF THE SEASON

Goalkeeper – Molly Arnesen (Barry Town United)

There have been so many good goalkeepers in the league this season, but Arnesen has been the standout. In her first season as a regular starter, it feels like Arnesen pulls of a wonder save every week for the Linnets. With seven clean sheets too, she shares the Golden Glove with a number of other keepers, but her pure shot stopping ability gives her the nod in this team.

Honourable Mention – Ceryn Chamberlain (Cardiff City)

I have to also mention Courtney Young, Charlie Haynes, and Liz Craven, who have all had incredible seasons, but Chamberlain is so consistent. She may never get the credit she deserves because of how much City win, but without her, they would not be winning title after title.

Centre-Back – Shannon Evans (Cardiff City)

In a way, it’s still a little mad to think Evans played as a striker for so long, because she is such a natural centre-back! The way she covers ground and the way she can make last-ditch tackles is simply effortless. Evans has to be considered for signing of the season, and in addition to that, should really be nominated for Player of the Season.

Honourable Mention – Rebecca Mathias (Aberystwyth Town)

It’s not been an easy season for those at Aberystwyth, but Mathias perfectly encapsulates the never say die attitude at the club. She has been so consistent and helped drag her team away from safety in the second part of the campaign.

Centre-Back – Brooke Llewellyn (Briton Ferry)

Defensively, Briton Ferry have been brilliant, and for me, Llewellyn has been the key cog. Her recovery runs and the ability to catch up with most attackers in this league is very unique, and positionally, there aren’t many better than her. A superb debut Adran Premier season for Llewellyn.

Honourable Mention – Lowri Ridings (Briton Ferry)

I have to give Ridings so much credit for Ferry’s performances too. When it comes to natural born leaders in this league, they don’t come much better than Ridings. Her communication qualities are second to none, and Ferry are very lucky to have her as their leader.

Centre-Back – Tiggy Webb (The New Saints)

Webb has enjoyed a very good first season in North Wales with TNS. In some ways, Webb reminds me of defenders of old. Not afraid of putting in a tough tackle, can physically dominate her opponents, and is also a threat from set-pieces. She will be key to how TNS progress next season.

Honourable Mention – Grace Corne (Barry Town United)

Corne has certainly added something different to this Barry defence. Her professionalism shines through in how she plays and leads, and she’s been a great communicator, especially with a young defender like Angharad Beman by her side.

Right Wing-Back – Maria Francis-Jones (The New Saints)

Eyebrows were most certainly raised when Francis-Jones left Manchester City to join TNS, but what a player she has been for them. At times, you can see that she operates at a completely different level to so many others in this league, and her delivery from set-pieces and crosses are dangerous every single time.

Honourable Mention – Lisa Owen (Cardiff City)

If it wasn’t for injury, it could have been Owen in this spot. The wing-back has had to wait her turn to have a run in the starting eleven, but she’s grabbed that opportunity with both hands. Her energy levels are so high, and she sets the standard in this Bluebirds team.

How Briton Ferry defied the odds in the Adran Premier

Left Wing-Back – Ffion Price (Cardiff City)

It feels like Price has accomplished everything already in this league, but to win the Golden Boot from a left wing-back spot is simply sensational. We know how dangerous she is from dead ball situations, but she is also able to run directly at her opponents, and I can’t think of any player in this league who would relish a battle against her.

Honourable Mention – Emily Freeman (Barry Town United)

Freeman is maybe a player who doesn’t get the credit she deserves, because she has been brilliant for Barry. Always an outlet down the left, Freeman plays with no fear and is always eager to offer encouragement to teammates at any opportunity.

Centre-Midfield – Tija Richardson (Briton Ferry)

I mentioned that Shannon Evans should be considered for signing of the season, and Richardson should be right up there with her. What she’s given this Ferry side is experience and calmness in the middle of the park, and coupled with that, she is more than capable of finding the right pass or shoot at the appropriate time. Another Player of the Season contender.

Honourable Mention – Kerry Walklett (Cardiff City)

If there was an award for Most Improved player, for me, Walklett would win that hands down. The growth that she has shown throughout the season has been heartening to watch in a way, and her captaining the Bluebirds towards the end of the season proves just that.

Centre-Midfield – Lia Lewis (The New Saints)

Lewis has become one of, if not the best, box-to-box midfielders in the Adran Premier this season. Always willing to join the attack, but more than happy to come back and offer her defence some help when required. In this season of transition for TNS, Lewis has been the constant that they have needed to improve week upon week.

Honourable Mention – Lili Jones (Wrexham)

It’s been yet another solid campaign for Jones in the heart of the Wrexham midfield. Jones always wants to move the ball around quickly, always looking to play forward, and also has the ability to score some wonder goals.

Right Forward – Abbie Iddenden (Wrexham)

In the build-up to the Bute Energy Welsh Cup final, Iddenden explained how she lost her love of football at her old club, but you can see how much she’s enjoyed this first season at Wrexham. Nine goals and nine assists in the league this season proves that Iddenden can hurt the opposition in a number of different ways, making her one of the league’s trickiest customers.

Honourable Mention – Ava Suckley (Wrexham)

Iddenden’s attacking partner has to get a mention. Eleven goals is a great return for Suckley, who only managed to find the back of the net twice last season. Her performances have also taken the pressure off the likes of Rosie Hughes, which has really benefitted Steve Dale’s team.

The evolution of Cardiff City, as Bluebirds win third straight Adran Premier title

Centre Forward – Chantelle Teare (The New Saints)

At one stage it felt like Teare was scoring every week for TNS. She’s always been a threat for the Saints, but this season, it feels like she’s cracked the Adran Premier code and has torn defences apart at times. She has such a range of finishes too, and her place in this Team of the Season is richly deserved.

Honourable Mention – Lexi Jones (The New Saints)

Jones has enjoyed a terrific season at Park Hall. She has so many traits that defenders hate in this league. Jones has an abundance of pace, can go onto one foot and then the other, and can just turn defenders inside and out in a blink of an eye.

Left Forward – Fiona Barry (Cardiff City)

Another young player who has shined this season has been Barry. It took her a little bit of time to adjust to the Adran Premier, but when she did, no one could really stop her. She plays with a swagger and a confidence that is unmatched by many, and she has scored so many important goals in City’s charge to the championship.

Honourable Mention – Aimee Deacon (Swansea City)

Many at Swansea will want to put this season behind them quickly, but Deacon can take a lot of heart from her displays. Especially when Stacey John-Davis and Katy Hosford were injured, Deacon stepped up to the mantle and played like a player beyond her years.

(Featured Image: John Smith/FAW)