Adran Premier predictions – will Cardiff City make history?

Another Adran Premier season is upon us, and it promises to be one of the most competitive yet.

Cardiff City lifted their third straight title but were pushed all the way by last year’s Adran Premier debutants, Briton Ferry.

This season looks set to be better than ever. Six teams have changed their manager, some stars have departed, but there a plenty of new faces too who will be looking to make an impact.

So, without further ado, here are our predictions for the upcoming season.

Aberystwyth Town

Last season: 7^th

Incomings: Megan Ryan (Talgarth), Caitlin O’Shea (Talgarth)

Outgoings: Mia Gleave (Llangefni Town), Chelsea Herbert (Unattached), Lleucu Mathias (Unattached), Elan Jones (Unattached)

It was a tough campaign for those on the Ceredigion coast. A slow start to last season had them on the back foot early, but important results against the likes of Cardiff Met and Barry Town United helped them gain separation from the league’s only relegation spot.

There’s another change in the dugout ahead of this season. Chris Church has moved on to Pure Swansea, and that means Rhys Jon James is the new man in the dugout. Rhys Jon has plenty of experiences with clubs in and around Ceredigion, but this will be his first time managing in women’s football.

The squad he’s inherited has seen plenty of change too. The big departure is that of Lleucu Mathias. The young forward was often the taliswoman for the Seasiders, but someone else now has to try and take that mantle. Two more of last season’s mainstays, Elan Jones and Chelsea Herbert, have also departed. Only the Talgarth duo of Megan Ryan and Caitlin O’Shea have joined the club so far.

Despite the losses, there is still plenty of quality in this team. Rebecca Mathias and Libby Isaac form a formidable defensive partnership, Imi Scourfield will run the midfield, while youngsters like Lily Moralee-Hughes and Modlen Gwynne will be looking to improve.

However, this is a squad which still doesn’t have the depth of other sides around them, and it could be another long season down at Park Avenue.

PREDICTED FINISH: 7^th

Barry Town United

Last season: 6^th

Incomings: Lily Dalton (MK Dons), Chelsea Cochrane (Cardiff Met), Beca Thomas (Cardiff Met), India Shanahan (Cardiff Met)

Outgoings: Lauren Harris (Retired), Ingrid Ådland (Unattached), Scarlett Davies (Cardiff Met), Chloe Tiley (Cascade), Kiara Jade-Robins (Unattached)

It was another sixth-place finish for the Linnets last time out, but there were definitely plenty of positives. The team achieved a record points total and set a new team record for goals scored in Stevie McCarthy-Campbell’s first season as manager.

As with every club, there has been changes in the squad. Influential defender Lauren Harris has called time on her career, and her absence will certainly be felt in the dressing room. Another one of last season’s leader, Chloe Tiley, has moved to Cascade, while Norwegian forward Ingrid Ådland has also departed.

Despite losing some key players, Barry have strengthened well over the summer. Lily Dalton will certainly be one to look out for, as will striker Beca Thomas. Meanwhile, Chelsea Cochrane and India Shanahan have returned to the club after gaining plenty of Adran Premier experience elsewhere.

The big advantage Barry have compared to many of their rivals is that they have not changed their manager. In total, six of the eight clubs competing in this year’s Adran Premier have a new leader in the dugout, but you have to feel for a team like Barry, continuity will be a huge positive for them.

On paper, this is a competitive squad, and I’m sure they will set new team records again this year. The question will be can they string together good results on a regular basis? If they do that, do not be surprised to see them competing for a top four spot come the end of phase one.

PREDICTED FINISH: 6^th

Briton Ferry

Last season: 2^nd

Incomings: Grace Evans (Cardiff City), Lauren Payne (Pontypridd United), Casey Daniels (Penybont)

Outgoings: Ella Smitham (Unattached), Tija Richardson (Unattached), Alison Witts (Retired), Lexi Clayton (Unattached), Catrin Edwards (Pontypridd United)

It was quite simply the debut season that dreams are made of for Briton Ferry. After beating Llandudno in the playoff final, Ferry wasted no time in disrupting the Adran Premier status quo. Picking up victories against the likes of Cardiff City and Wrexham, Rhys James guided his side to a tremendous second placed finish.

A fair bit of that core that got them to that second place are no longer there, none more so than manager James. His replacement is Rhys Thomas, who arrives at Old Road having been manager of Adran South side Penybont.

The playing squad has also changed, with a lot of leaders departing. Tija Richardson, who was nominated for Adran Premier Player of the Season, has departed, alongside Ella Smitham and Lexi Clayton. Alison Witts, meanwhile, has retired.

Briton Ferry are known for their strong dressing room atmosphere, and plenty of last season’s stars are still there. The likes of Lowri Ridings and Brooke Llewelyn will continue to marshal the defence, Laura-May Walkley shows no signs of slowing down, while Maia Owen looks set to develop even more this season. On top of this, the additions of promising talents like Grace Evans, Lauren Payne and Casey Daniels will make Ferry stronger.

Another second place finish this season feels like too much of a stretch, but this isn’t a side that will be anywhere near danger. They will certainly be in a top four fight until the end of phase one, but with a new manager with no Adran Premier experience, they may just miss out.

PREDICTED FINISH: 5^th

Adran Premier changes could be “radical” according to the FAW

Cardiff City

Last season: 1^st

Incomings: Helen Evans (TNS), Maddison Perrott (Gwalia United)

Outgoings: Eliza Collie (Gwalia United), Molly Kehoe (West Brom), Madison Lloyd (Pontypridd United), Anna Phelps (Unattached), Grace Evans (Briton Ferry)

Last season saw the Bluebirds go through a transition. Plenty of older players left, as well as big stars, but once again Iain Darbyshire led them to their third straight Adran Premier title. As well as that, they completed the double by winning the Bute Energy Welsh Cup at Rodney Parade, their fourth straight Welsh Cup.

City are the only other team, along with Barry, who have not changed their manager. Darbyshire will once again be tasked with winning another league title. In the history of Welsh topflight, no team has ever won four titles in a row. History beckons for the Bluebirds.

Two big stars have departed, however. Striker Eliza Collie has joined Gwalia United, while Cayman Islands international Molly Kehoe has followed in the footsteps of Seren Watkins and Rhianne Oakley by making the move to West Brom. Youngsters Madison Lloyd and Grace Evans join Pontypridd United and Briton Ferry respectively, while Anna Phelps has been released.

Only two players have signed for the champions. Helen Evans knows all about this league, while Maddison Perrott will add plenty of pace to the front line. The Bluebirds will also have Hannah Power available again after she was away for a year. On top of that, there are a host of youngsters ready to step up from the U19 side into senior football.

The Bluebirds certainly haven’t faced an overhaul like they did last season, and that will serve them well this season. The battle for the title will be intense, and they will not have everything go their way, but at the end of the season, I think it will be another record-breaking year at Cardiff City Stadium.

PREDICTED FINISH: 1^st

Pontypridd United

Last season: 1^st (Adran South)

Incomings: Catrin Edwards (Briton Ferry), Madison Lloyd (Cardiff City), Jemima Lister (Gwalia United)

Outgoings: Amelia Forkings (Swansea City), Lucy Keane (Cambrian United), Ffion Simmonds (Unattached), Madison Williams (Unattached), Caitlin Seaborne (Swansea City), Lauren Payne (Briton Ferry), Quianna Wheeler (Unattached), Emily Poole (Exeter City), Eleanor Brook (Unattached), Shannon Hindmarsh (Unattached), Ruby James (Cambrian United), Meg Gladwyn (Cardiff Met)

After one year away, Pontypridd United are back in the big time after a sensational comeback win over Connah’s Quay Nomads in the playoff final. However, this is a very different Ponty side to last season.

A total of eleven players who were involved in that playoff final have now left the squad, including captain Madison Williams and senior heads in both Lucy Keane and Shannon Hindmarsh. As well as that, plenty of youngsters have also departed.

As well as a number of players, Claire O’Sullivan has also moved to third tier side Cambrian United. The person tasked with rebuilding this team is Drew Lewis, who has been promoted from his management role with the U19s.

A number of that U19 side will likely play regular minutes in the top tier, but three key signings will certainly help their survival push. Jemima Lister moves over from Gwalia United, they’ve added defensive stability in Catrin Edwards, while Madison Lloyd is an exciting attacking prospect.

The Dragons have also kept hold of Adran South Young Player of the Season, Nicole Fenton, who will be looking to make an impact in the Adran Premier. Pontypridd will certainly have their work cut out if they are to stay up. However, the underdog tag may suit this young side, who will go out looking to prove a lot of people wrong.

PREDICTED FINISH: 8^th

Swansea City

Last season: 5^th

Incomings: Ellie Lake (Gwalia United), Amelia Forkings (Pontypridd United), Caitlin Seaborne (Pontypridd United)

Outgoings: Sophie Brisland-Hancocks (Retired), Robyn Pinder (Retired), Charlie Haynes (Cheltenham Town), Nia Jones (Unattached), Rachel Cullen (Pure Swansea), Jasmine Guymer (Carmarthen Town)

Last season was one unlike any other for Wales’ most successful club. Having won the title six times, they found themselves in the bottom four for the first time ever. They would go on to win the Conference Plate, but it certainly wasn’t an achievement to celebrate for this high achieving side.

A lot of experience has left the Swans. Sophie Brisland-Hancocks and Robyn Pinder have retired, Nia Jones is unattached, and Rachel Cullen has moved to Adran South side Pure Swansea. On top of all that, influential captain Katy Hosford will not be available all season.

Three names have been recruited by Swansea. Amelia Forkings will provide plenty of competition in the goalkeeping department, Caitlin Seaborne could come in and start in the centre of defence, while there is a welcome return to the club for Ellie Lake.

There’s a familiar face in the dugout too. Having done well in interim charge in phase two, Yzzy Taylor has been given the Swansea job permanently. Taylor knows exactly what it takes to thrive in this league, and you would imagine she can get this Swansea side ticking.

The loss of so much experience in one summer is a worry for Swansea. That being said, there a plenty of young players who want to make an impact, and under the stewardship of a manager like Taylor, a top four finish should be the minimum requirement.

PREDICTED FINISH: 4^th

Former Celtic and Newcastle United defender aiming high with Wrexham

The New Saints

Last season: 3^rd

Incomings: Harriet Wellings (Unattached), Lexie Harrison (Port Vale), Kelsey Richardson (Port Vale), Zara Gibbs (Kidderminster Harriers), Charlotte Cress (Birmingham City)

Outgoings: Helen Evans (Cardiff City), Grace Dunkerley (Unattached), Ella Hartley (Unattached), Molly Havard (Unattached), Sophie Phillips (Kidderminster Harriers), Destiny Reid (Unattached), Emily Ridge (Unattached), Kelsey Thomas (Unattached)

It felt like TNS broke the class ceiling and announced themselves as a serious contender in this league last year. As well as finishing a record high of third, they broke the “big three’s” streak of trophy wins by getting their hands on the Adran Trophy.

Shauna Duffy received so much praise for getting this team to click while also playing an exciting brand of football. However, she departed her role this summer in order to move over to the England national team. Jodie Williams arrives after a stint at WSL side Everton, where she is still highly regarded.

The Saints have had a long tradition of signing players from over the border, and this summer has been no different. Five signings have been made from English clubs, including Lexie Harrison, who makes her return from Park Hall.

There’s also been a real mix of departures. Dependable midfielder Helen Evans has moved down to the capital, clinical striker Emily Ridge has also gone, while a host of promising youngsters, including Grave Dunkerley, have also moved on.

Despite the losses, this is still a TNS side with plenty of quality. If Williams can pick up where Duffy left off, then this team have the potential to once again disrupt the Adran Premier’s elite. A trophy will certainly be on their radar again this season, as well as a top three finish.

PREDICTED FINISH: 3^rd

Wrexham

Last season: 4^th

Incomings: Jodie Bartle (Newcastle United), Katie Barker (Newcastle United), Mariam Mahmood (West Brom), Josie Smith (Wolves), Hannah Snape (Loughborough Lightning)

Outgoings: Brooke Cairns (Burnley), Amber Lightfoot (Unattached), Rebecca Pritchard (Unattached), Katie Sharp (Unattached), Del Morgan (Retired)

The only word to describe Wrexham’s season last year is a rollercoaster! Sneaking into the top four in dramatic fashion by defeating Swansea City, the North Wales side went on a superb eight-game unbeaten run, but that wasn’t enough to move them up the table.

Former manager Steve Dale is yet another managerial casualty this summer, but his replacement Jenny Sugarman arrives with a lot of promise. Having had managerial experience at Aston Villa, West Brom and Loughborough Lightning, Sugarman has plenty of contacts, and she’s put them to good use this transfer window.

Both Jodie Barlte and Katie Barker join from WSL 2 title chasers, Newcastle United, while Pakistan international Mariam Mahmood is another eye-catching addition. On top of this, both Josie Smith and Hannah Snape have plenty of experience in the third tier of English football.

As a result of these signings, Wrexham have had to say goodbye to some club legends. Playoff final hero Del Morgan has retired, while the trio of Amber Lightfoot, Katie Sharp and Rebecca Pritchard have moved on to pastures new. Meanwhile, Brooke Cairns has joined Burnley.

Despite some key losses, on paper, this is a Wrexham team that’s very exciting. The loss of experienced players who know the league may hurt them, but they will certainly be contending at the top of the table. The league title may just evade them this season, but in a year or two, don’t be surprised to see them lifting the Adran Premier trophy at the Cae Ras.

PREDICTED FINISH: 2^nd

(Featured Image: Craig Thomas/FAW)