TNS to face Swansea City in Adran Trophy final – Adran roundup

Proceedings in the Adran Premier and Adran Trophy dominated the headlines in the first big week of 2025.

As well as the semi-finals, we had a full fixture list in the Adran North and the Adran South.

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

Adran Trophy

We begin this week at Park Hall. This season it has felt like TNS have dominated any opponent that has been put in their way. However, one side that caused them plenty of problems in the league was Briton Ferry, who secured a fabulous draw with the Saints earlier on in the Adran Premier. This time there would be late disappointment for Ferry, as TNS recorded a remarkable comeback to prevail 3-2.

Ten minutes in and it was Ferry who had the perfect opportunity to go in front, as Alison Witts was fouled in the area by Becca Elliott. Up stepped Lucy Powell, who sent the keeper the wrong way to put the visitors ahead. Their good start continued on the half hour mark, as they found a second. A corner found its way to Maia Owen, who converted with ease.

Being two down is something Shauna Duffy’s side hadn’t been used to during this campaign, but they set out to try and reduce the deficit. Sophie Phillips couldn’t quite sneak the ball over the line from a promising attack, Chantelle Teare was denied by Courtney Young, and you began to think this wasn’t going to be TNS’ day.

However, in the final eight minutes, the game spun on its head. Emily Ridge converted from Maria Francis-Jones’ through ball to reduce the lead, before Francis-Jones herself scored a fantastic equaliser from outside the box with three minutes remaining.

Then, in stoppage time, the impossible had been achieved. Ridge’s cross found Teare in the box, and the in-form striker turned home to send those in green and white into a state of euphoria. A first final for TNS, but for Ferry, it will be interesting to see how they bounce back from this defeat.

A few miles away from Oswestry, the second semi-final took place. Swansea City were aiming to return to their second final in two years, while Wrexham were looking to reach their first. In a game that twisted one way and then the other, it was Swansea who booked their spot in the showpiece event, winning 3-2.

Jamie Sherwood’s side only needed two minutes to take the lead, with Aimee Deacon finishing from Stacey John-Davis’ cutback at the far post. The game turned into an end to end one, with both sides creating chances. For Wrexham, Rosie Hughes failed to turn in Amber Lightfoot’s cross, while John-Davis found the hands of Del Morgan.

Yet, right before the interval, Swansea had the perfect chance to extend their lead after Deacon was fouled by Phoebe Davies. Up stepped John-Davis, who showed great composure to find the back of the net.

Again, the Swans started the half positively, but they would be pegged back by Wrexham, as Carra Jones’ cross turned shot sailed over Charlie Haynes. That strike gave the Red Dragons plenty of confidence, but that hope was dented majorly with eight minutes remaining, as Emily Richards tapped home the all-important third goal.

Liv Fuller did score what turned out to be a consolation goal in the fifth minute of added time, but it was too little too late. For the second time in two seasons, Swansea reach the Adran Trophy final.

The game between TNS and Swansea City will take place at Newtown’s Latham Park on Sunday February 9^th. Kick-off will be at 17:30.

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

Adran Premier

The sole Adran Premier game of the day came at Jenner Park. Barry Town were looking to keep their top four hopes alive, while Cardiff Met were still searching for their first win of the season. In a match that was the dictionary definition of a game of two halves, it was Barry who just came out on top with a 3-2 triumph.

The hosts only needed 43 seconds to open the scoring, and they did so in spectacular fashion, with Ingrid Ådland executing a delicious lob into the top corner. Well and truly in the ascendency, Barry added their second through Danielle Broadhurst, who nodded home her first goal since returning to the club last week. And when Keira Harris added a third, aided by some poor goalkeeping by Charlotte Smith, you began to fear for Met.

However, quickly after conceding that third goal, Beca Thomas scored her first goal for the club from outside the box, and the tide started turning in their favour. Met dominated the rest of the half, but when they came out for the second half, they came out like a side possessed.

Quickly, they reduced the deficit down to one as Ruby Colleton turned in India Shanahan’s low cross into the box and had chances after that to go ahead. On two occasions, Shanahan found herself in promising positions, but she couldn’t beat Molly Arnesen in the Barry net.

Barry had to stop wave after wave of pressure, and when the final whistle came, there was certainly relief around the ground. They move up to fourth, but Met remain marooned at the bottom of the table.

Barry Town 3-2 Cardiff Met: Barry keep Adran Premier top four hopes alive

Adran North

Connah’s Quay kept up their 100% streak with a 6-0 win away at NFA.

There were braces for Alisha Whitehead-Hughes and Elana Harley, with Natasha Spearing and Phoebe Ellis also getting on the scoresheet. With new players in the form of Poppy Kendrick-Jones and Ellie Suckley moving to the Adran North leaders from TNS, the Nomads are really making a good go of getting promoted to the promised land this season.

Behind them, Llandudno dropped yet more points, after they drew 3-3 at home to the league’s surprise package, Llanfair United.

After a goalless first half, Dudno went two goals in front, thanks to a Mary Bailey own goal, and a strike from substitute Anna Carey. Llanfair pulled one back through Paris Schofield, but when Jasmin Dutton made it 3-1 with twelve minutes to go, you could be forgiven for thinking the game was done.

But Llanfair have come on leaps and bounds this season, and in the final few minutes snatched an unlikely point. Harriet Davies originally pulled one back, before Schofield added her second to seal the draw. Llandudno are now seven points behind Connah’s Quay, but Llanfair are third, and with a game in hand on the two teams above them, could spring a surprise title challenge.

Flint Town United kept up their strong debut season with a 2-1 home win over Rhyl.

All the goals were scored in the space of three first half minutes. After Shona Roberts put Flint ahead, Lauren Jones equalised for Rhyl two minutes later. But, one minute after levelling, the visitors found themselves behind once more, as Jennifer Haynes finished from Ruby Hastings’ pass through.

In the fourth Adran North game of the day, Bangor drew 2-2 with local rivals Felinheli.

Ashleigh Jones had originally put Bangor up in the first half, but they were pegged back right at the start of the second by Llywela Edwards. Y Felin would then go in front for the first time on the hour mark through Jenna Allsup, but Bangor sealed a point with 16 minutes remaining thanks to Menna Evans.

Connah’s Quay and Cwmbran Celtic stars amongst those shining in Adran North and Adran South

Adran South

Pontypridd United missed out on the chance to go top of the table, as they lost 1-0 at home to Swansea University.

The game was decided with six minutes remaining, with Ponty keeper Eleanor Brook scoring an unfortunate own goal. Swansea Uni’s win moves them level on points with the Dragons, and the title race looks set to go down to the wire.

And it’s not just those two involved in the race, with Cascade also moving on to twelve points following a 2-1 win over Llanelli Town.

Nicole Williams had initially put Llanelli ahead, but a first half brace from Vicky Beddows meant the points stayed in Ystrad Mynach. Three points now separate the top four, with Cwmbran Celtic leading the way. Llanelli, meanwhile, remain winless and bottom of the pile.

Penybont could also make things interesting at the top of the table, as they made it back-to-back wins with a 2-0 triumph over Caldicot Town.

Mollie Jones’ goal coupled with Erin Bater’s second half strike moves Bont onto nine points, and having proved a difficult outfit for teams at the top could well have a say in where the title ends up.

(Featured Image: Sam Eaden/FAW)