Martin Townley and Perry Dobbins combine to deliver their excellent detailed coverage of the weekend’s games in Wales’ top leagues. Martin rounds up the action and Perry’s superb pitchside photo gallery this week comes from Cardiff City’s South Wales derby against Swansea City at the Cardiff City Stadium as the Bluebirds lifted the Adran Premier championship trophy (18/4/23)
Above: Cardiff City poised to put in a tackle to stop Swansea City in their tracks. Photo: Perry Dobbins.
Adran Premier
Cardiff City 3-1 Swansea City
The Bluebirds finished their season off in style as they beat Swansea at Cardiff City Stadium.
Cardiff’s day of celebration didn’t get off to the start they wanted when Katy Hosford gave the visitors the lead in the 36th minute. However, Cardiff were soon level thanks to a Lilly Billingham goal before halftime.
Just after the hour mark former Swansea player Rhianne Oakley put the Bluebirds in front. Long-serving Cardiff player Zoe Atkins added the third with ten minutes to play as Cardiff finish the season unbeaten. The Bluebirds can complete the double as they face Briton Ferry in Sunday’s Welsh Cup Final.
Cardiff’s good season also saw them win Adran Under 19’s Championship Final with a 2-0 win over Wrexham. Lauren Payne scoring both goals for the Bluebirds.
Perry Dobbins’ Photo Gallery from Cardiff City v Swansea City:
Cardiff Met 4-5 The New Saints
The New Saints finished off their incredible season with a 5-4 win away to Cardiff Met.
Chantelle Teare gave TNS the lead before a turnaround by Met as Emily Preece hit two to put Met in front. Teare put the Saints level just after halftime, but Robyn Pinder then made 3-2 to the Archers. Just a minute after taking the lead Teare got her hat trick to put the sides level again.
Ruby Colleton then put Met ahead again but again the lead didn’t last long. Emily Ridge put the Saints level at 4-4 before Teare scored her fourth of the game to grab the win for Saints.
Adran Premier Final Tables 2022/23:
Adran Leagues Play-off
Wrexham 1-0 Briton Ferry Llansawel
The Hollywood ride continues for Wrexham as they win the Adran League’s Promotion Play-Off Final. In front of a bumper 1500+ crowd at Latham Park, Newtown, Rebecca Pritchard’s goal was enough to send Wrexham to the Adran Premier next season.
With so much at stake in this game, the opening minutes were tense as the teams looked to gain a foothold. There was an early penalty shout for Briton Ferry when Laura-May Walkley was brought down in the box, but play was waved on.
Walkley then picked up the ball and went past three players before lifting a shot towards the far post, but it went just wide.
Megan Kearle saw her shot saved as Ferry looked to take the lead. Walkley the shot over and Lowri Baker hit a shot straight at Delyth Morgan in goal.
Wrexham best chance of the half fell to top scorer Rosie Hughes. Hughes was played in on goal and hit a shot, but Courtney Young pulled off a teriffic save to deny her.
In the second half Walkley put the ball into the centre of the box to Baker, but she put her effort over the bar. Lucy Powell sent a free kick into Chelsea Deacon who set up Walkley. Walkley hit a shot past Morgan, but it was cleared off the line.
Mollie Jones came off the bench for Briton Ferry and straight away she got in behind the defence. Her shot from the left was saved well by Morgan.
Wrexham came back and Rosie Hughes won the ball out on the left and whipped it into the box with pace. Rebecca Pritchard came sliding in to give Wrexham the lead.
Ferry pushed forward more to try and find an equaliser and Hughes almost made it two on the counter. Hitting an effort from distance she hit the bar. As the clock ran down, Ferry throw everything, they had Wrexham. Mollie Jones forced another fine save from Morgan and Powell hit the bar from a free kick.
Wrexham were able to hold on and win promotion to the Adran Premier. Briton Ferry will have to find a way to pick themselves up for next weekend’s Welsh Cup Final.
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