Cardiff City and Wrexham starlets ones to watch in the Adran Premier
Credit: Craig Thomas/FAW
There have been many names who have departed the Adran Premier over the last few years who have gone on a joined some of England’s biggest clubs.
Wales U19 captain Olivia Francis swapped the white of Pontypridd United for the red of Manchester United, Vera Jones left Barry Town United to join Chelsea, while goalkeeper Elen Valentine transferred from Aberystwyth Town to Newcastle United.
Wales’ top tier has already made a name for itself as a place where youngsters can develop before moving on to, potentially, bigger and better things. So question is, who will be next off the talent conveyor belt?
We take a look at all eight teams competing in this season’s edition of the Adran Premier and pick one player from each squad fans need to watch out for.
Imi Scourfield (Aberystwyth Town)
It was a tough campaign for the Seasiders last time out, but one standout performer was Imi Scourfield.
Scourfield is one of many who have come through the Aber development squad, and having made her senior debut in 2023, she’s been an ever-present in the middle of the park for two seasons.
There is a feeling that this could be her year to not only be the star for Aber, but to be a star for the entire league. Scourfield already has a handful of caps for Wales’ U19 team, and a good campaign this season could see some of the country’s biggest sides come calling for the services of the physical centre midfielder.
Angharad Beman (Barry Town United)
Barry Town has an impressive women’s and girls’ section who have helped produce plenty of first team players, and Angharad Beman is yet another prospect with a bright future.
Having been on the fringes of the first team two seasons ago, last year Beman became a regular under the management of Stevie McCarthy-Campbell. She formed a good relationship at the back with Grace Corne as the Linnets finished sixth.
Barry are one of only two sides to not have experienced a managerial change in the off-season, and in a system she’s used to playing in, Beman definitely seems ready to take the next step in her development.
Maia Owen (Briton Ferry)
When Maia Owen signed for Ferry last season, there was plenty of optimism around her and what she could do.
Owen signed from the FAW Academy, a side who have produced plenty of talent. Olivia Francis was the first to come out of the academy to make a real name for herself, but others like Evie Hughes and Beca Thomas have also had success in the Adran Premier.
Owen will want to be the next to add her name to that illustrious list. The winger recorded seven goals and five assists across all competitions last time out, but now with a full season of senior football under her belt, it will be no surprise to anyone if she improves on those numbers during this campaign.
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Seren Thomas (Cardiff City)
Cardiff City have a long history of promoting players from their U19 side, and this season, Seren Thomas could be their next breakout star.
From the centre of the park for the U19s last season, Thomas scored eight and grabbed two assists. Her good performances caught the eye of manager Iain Darbyshire, who handed Thomas her first senior football minutes later in the season.
The Bluebirds’ midfield is perhaps a little light heading into the new campaign. Kerry Walklett, Lily Billingham and Helen Evans are perhaps the only recognised central midfielders in the squad; therefore, Thomas could be on the cusp of plenty of first team minutes this time around.
Nicole Fenton (Pontypridd United)
Anyone who was paying attention to last season’s Adran South will know just how much talent Nicole Fenton has.
With 19 goals and eleven assists across all competitions, Fenton was named as the Adran South Young Player of the Season, as Pontypridd returned to the Adran Premier at the first time of asking.
Pontypridd will be a very different side this season compared to last time out. They have a new manager in Drew Lewis, while a number of first team players have departed. There is no doubting that the Dragons will be the youngest side in the division, but if Fenton can replicate her performances from last year in the top tier, then they will have a very good chance of staying up.
Caitlin Seaborne (Swansea City)
One of those Pontypridd players who has left the club is defender Caitlin Seaborne, who now calls Swansea City home.
Having started out with Coed Duon, Seaborne made the move over to Pontypridd in January 2024 but couldn’t help the Dragons stay in the top tier. However, in the Adran South, Seaborne became a mainstay in the heart of the defence and was a force to be reckoned with.
Her good form has earned her a move to Swansea. The Swans are under new leadership with former Cardiff Met manager Yzzy Taylor at the helm, and with a few players moving on from the six-time league champions, Seaborne could quickly find herself as a key starter for Taylor in the Adran Premier.
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Matilda Edge (The New Saints)
Matilda Edge is a player who has been on the periphery of the TNS starting line-up for a few seasons, but this could be her breakout year.
The forward certainly has a lot of game time under her belt, having played for both the senior team and the U19s last season. Despite having not yet scored a goal in senior football, Edge is a player who can certainly take the game to any opposition put in front of her.
A number of Saints forwards had success last season. Chantelle Teare was one of the division’s top scorers, while Lexi Jones enjoyed a fruitful first campaign in the Adran Premier. Under new manager Jodie Williams, this could be the year that Edge makes a huge impact.
Leah Burke (Wrexham)
Wrexham are another team who are going through a bit of a transition, and as a result, Leah Burke could be a name that shines for the Red Dragons this season.
Predominantly used as a winger, Burke registered five assists in eleven U19 league games last season. Her fine form earned her first senior appearance, where she was used as a substitute in Wrexham’s Bute Energy Welsh Cup semi-final win over Pontypridd United.
With fellow wingers Amber Lightfoot and Rebecca Pritchard departing the club this summer, along with attack minded players such as Brooke Cairns, there are a few spots available in the Wrexham front line for this upcoming season. If Burke is one of those called upon, expect her to grab any opportunity with both hands.
The new Adran Premier season gets underway on Sunday September 7th. All eight teams will be in action, including The New Saints and Cardiff City, who take each other on at Park Hall in a game live on S4C. Kick-off will be at 17:35.
