Impetus’ Martin Townley rounds up all the weekend’s action across the Adran Trophy plus the Adran North and South divisions. With additional reporting from Carrie Jones (31/1/23).
Above: Amy Jenkins in possession for Aberystwyth Town against Swansea City. Photo: Ika Bajus.
Another win for Adran Premier leaders Cardiff City as they finish phase one unbeaten. Cardiff Met are held to a draw at bottom-place Abergavenny, Pontypridd United move up to fourth with a big win over Barry Town United. Holders Swansea City lose more ground on the leaders after a draw at Aberystwyth Town.
In the Adran South, Briton Ferry had to come from behind to beat Swansea University and maintain top spot. Second-place Cascade kept the pressure on Ferry with a win over Caldicot Town.
Connah’s Quay went top of the Adran North after a thumping 10-0 win over Airbus.
Adran Premier
The New Saints 1-5 Cardiff City
The New Saints faced a tough challenge as they looked to hold on to fourth spot when they hosted leaders Cardiff City.
TNS had a great chance to take the lead when Catlin Chapman was played in on goal. Chapman on the edge of the box took a shot but it straight at Ceryn Chamberlain. The Bluebirds took the lead in the 31st minute as Siobhan Walsh headed in Seren Watkins’ cross. Danielle Broadhurst made it two with her low shot under the keeper. Phoebie Poole added a third tapping in from close range in first half added time.
In the second period, Seren Watkins added to Cardiff’s tally with a stunning strike from outside the box. Helen Evans got a goal back for Saints turning in from Emily Ridge’s cross. Catherine Walsh headed in from Ffion Price’s cross – getting a goal on her return to the side after a long-term injury.
Aberystwyth Town 2-2 Swansea City
from Carrie Dunn
Amy Jenkins helped Aberystwyth Town Women to a fine finish of Phase One of the Genero Adran Premier – with a 2-2 draw against Swansea City.
Swansea took the lead shortly before half-time, Stacey John-Davis and Lailah Muscat hitting back after Emily Thomas’s drilled finish.
“All in all, it was a cracking day for the team,” said defender Lucie Gwilt. “In one sense, I’m gutted that we didn’t take the three points as we weren’t without opportunities to score a third.
“That being said, I’d have taken the draw before the game – with several key players out with injury, and lots who were on the pitch today carrying knocks, players out of position too to cover the gaps, we weren’t sure how it would go but everyone gave 100 percent.
“We knew that we could make things difficult for Swansea, just as we have done before. They’re a quality side but we know how to frustrate teams and counter well, and that’s exactly what happened today.
“Big shout-out to Amy (Jenkins) who worked her socks off and had one hell of a game with a goal to boot.”
The Seasiders now have one week off before they return to action – in the semi-final of the Genero Adran Trophy on Sunday 12th February against Cardiff Met away, and then in the semi-final of the FAW Women’s Cup on Sunday 19th February against Briton Ferry Llansawel at Carmarthen’s Richmond Park.
“We’ve played each of the top three teams in the league across the last eight days, and between injuries and general tiredness, I think we deserve a good rest,” added Gwilt.
“Then it’s all to play for in the cups, and we are hoping to make it to at least one final.”
Pontypridd United 6-1 Barry Town United
Pontypridd moved back into fourth place after a 6-1 win over Barry Town United.
Ponty started quickly and Emily Bayliss gave them the lead after four minutes. Olivia Seren-Francis and Holly Broad add two more before halftime.
Seren-Francis had her second five minutes after the break. Tate Trivett pulled a goal for Barry, but any hopes for a comeback for the visitors went in the 77th minute as Carys Bufton added number five. Alison Witts added a sixth in added time.
Cardiff Met 0-0 Abergavenny
Abergavenny held Cardiff Met to a goalless draw despite missing goalkeeper Charlotte Hastings. Marine Gingell came in for just her second Adran Premier game and the 17- year-old kept a clean sheet.
The Pennies had to play the final 13 minutes with ten after Ffion Simmonds was shown a second yellow card.
Abergavenny remain bottom eight points behind Barry Town but do have two games in hand. Cardiff Met are second but now nine points behind Cardiff City.
Genero Adran Premier News:
Female football scholarship on offer with Aberystwyth Town
from Carrie Dunn
Female footballers with dreams of playing at the highest level have a great opportunity to compete in Wales’s top flight and pursue a university degree.
Aberystwyth Town Women are once again partnering with Aberystwyth University to offer a scholarship – enabling talented female players to study, train and play in the Genero Adran Premier.
First-team goalkeeper and Wales U19 international Elen Valentine is the first woman on the programme, taking up her place to study sport science in 2022
And she urges any other woman with big football ambitions to get their application in.
“I want to sign a professional contract in the next couple of years, and get loads of games under my belt, and loads of experience,” she says. “So this is just perfect.”
In addition to a first-year payment of £4,000, additional benefits include platinum membership of the university sports centre, football coaching development opportunities, medical insurance, access to physiotherapy, match and training kits.
Possible candidates need to have experience equivalent to playing in the Genero Adran Premier. To discuss eligibility and to find out more, contact the club directly (abertownladiesfc@gmail.com) and submit applications by 15th July 2023 (https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/study-with-us/ug-studies/scholarships/aber-town-fc/au-atfc/).
Adran South
Swansea University 1-2 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Adran South leaders Briton Ferry were made to work hard to come from behind to beat Swansea University. Angelika Barris gave Swansea the lead after 12 minutes and Swansea went into half-time leading.
Briton Ferry came out for the second half and really took the game to Swansea. Their early pressure told, and Lucy Powell set up Megan Kearle to fire into the top corner. Powell then turned from provider to scorer. The Ferry midfielder took a free kick from out on the right and bent the ball into the bottom corner.
Briton Ferry remain top two points ahead of Cascade with a game in hand.
Caldicot Town 0-5 Cascade YC
Cascade pulled off a big win despite playing the second half with ten players. Two first-half goals from Annaliese Lewis set up Cascade well but Katie Davies was sent off in first-half stoppage time. Caldicot were unable to take advantage of the extra player and Cascade added three thanks to, Jess Pascoe, Chrystelle Moreton, and Amelia Mills.
Adran North
Airbus UK Broughton 0-10 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Connah’s Quay Nomads moved to the top of the Adran North with a ten-goal thrashing over Airbus UK Broughton. Second place Wrexham have a game in hand with a one-point gap between the sides.
Kirstie Kural got a double hat trick with two apiece for Elana Harley and Shannon Hobbs.
impetusfootball.org 