The curtain came down on a thrilling Adran Premier season yesterday, as every club aimed to finish on a high.
There was also a sole fixture to close out the Adran North.
So, for the final time this season, let’s take a look back at the week that was.
Adran Premier – Championship Group
We begin this week at the home of the champions, Cardiff City Stadium. There was a party atmosphere at the national stadium, as Cardiff City were looking to lift the trophy in style. Opponents Wrexham hadn’t beaten the Bluebirds all season, but with the Welsh Cup final looming, they saw this as an ideal dress rehearsal. However, that dress rehearsal would turn into a nightmare, as City ran out 5-1 winners.
The champions got off to the perfect start, as Rhianne Oakley rounded Del Morgan and found the far corner, after a great through ball by Molly Kehoe. A number of chances then followed, but poor finishing was beginning to cost the home side, but they would find a stunning second goal before the break. Mikayla Cook managed to fire a sumptuous free kick over Morgan and into the net.
Things got even better right on the stroke of half time when Siobhan Walsh headed in Seren Watkins’ cross, and things were looking incredibly rosy in the City Garden.
Eliza Collie was chasing her maiden golden boot, and she did her chances the world of good, as she captialised on a defensive mix-up to tap into an empty net. The goalscoring spree wasn’t done there, as Olivia Basham swept home from Cook’s cross to make it five. That was Basham’s first senior goal, and there was no better place to do it then at CCS.
Perhaps the five-goal lead led to a little bit of complacency as things started to become a little less precise and fluid, and they were made to pay for it, as Carra Jones scored from 30-yards to reduce that deficit.
But the day well and truly belonged to the Bluebirds, and they will now look to win two more trophies to become the first team in the Adran era to complete a treble.
In midweek, Aberystwyth Town continued their remarkable unbeaten record away to Swansea City, by drawing 1-1 at Llandarcy. Now at Park Hall, they were looking to frustrate the Swans once more. Incredibly, they did just that, as they drew 0-0.
A quiet start was broken by Swansea, who began to string together some efforts on goal. Jess Williams saw her header blocked in the box, while Katy Hosford’s strike was saved by Sophie Steele.
Those were the only chances in the first half, but at the start of the second, Aber almost went ahead when Lleucu Mathias unleashed a fierce volley, but Chelsea Herbert made a crucial save to keep the scores level.
As the game entered its final phases, Swansea were starting to throw everything at the Aber goal, but they couldn’t find a winner. Chloe Chivers and Emily Thomas were denied by Steele, while Hosford and Ellie Lake couldn’t find the target.
For the Seasiders, two draws to end the season will please many. For Swansea, they will look to improve next week in the Adran Trophy final against treble chasing Cardiff.
Adran Premier – Plate Conference
A run of three straight wins meant TNS won the Plate last weekend, and this week, they were able to lift the trophy. Their opponents on the final weekend were Pontypridd United, who were playing their final game in the Adran Premier before heading down to the Adran South. There wasn’t to be a happy ending for the Dragons, as TNS won 3-0.
It was in fact Ponty that started the game the better of the two sides. Efa Preece Jones and Jasmine Turner both had sighters on goal, but neither were able to find the target. As the clock ticked over the half hour mark, TNS began to grow into the contest and found themselves ahead before the break. Grace Dunkerley managed to find the bottom corner with a shot from close range, as she netted her first goal for the club.
It could have been more for the Saints before the break, but not for the first time this season, Klaudia Wojtyczka was keeping her side in it with save after save. As she kept TNS at bay, at the other end, Ponty were trying to force an equaliser, but Ellie Suckley was proving impossible to get past.
How the hosts would rue their missed chances, as Greg Draper’s side doubled their lead. Chantelle Teare made a darting run into the box before executing a smart finish past Wojtyczka. And the dagger was sunk further into Ponty hearts moments later, as Izzy Redding capitalised on a scramble in the box to slam home.
A great end to the season for TNS, who will look to break back into the top four next season.
Elsewhere, Cardiff Met confirmed a sixth place finish this season, as they defeated Barry Town 2-1 at Jenner Park.
After a good start from Barry, it was Met who took the lead. Tiggi Webb’s shot took a deflection on its way through, but it was enough to beat Erin Brennan in the Town net. But five minutes later the scores were level as India Shanahan found the goal with a powerful effort.
Chances fell to both teams throughout the second half and either could have won it, but in the end, it was the Archers who took the points. A cross found its way to Ellie Preece at the far stick, and she managed to tuck the ball away. Shanahan had a goal disallowed for offside in the closing stages, but it wasn’t to be for them. Met end the season with a win.
Adran North
Y Felinheli ended their strong season with a draw, as rivals Bangor were able to take a point away from Felin.
It was a lightning start for the home side, as Fflur Williams bagged her fifth goal in three games just six minutes in.
However, on the hour mark, Bangor equalised through Georgia Lewis, and they saw the game out in fine manner to secure their third draw of the season, as they finish in seventh place in their debut Adran North campaign. Felinheli end the season in third, just eight points off the top of the table.
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