Impetus’ Cymru correspondent Martin Townley returns for the new campaign with his first detailed review of all the Adran Leagues action from the opening day of the season (20/9/23).
Above: Katy Hosford (white shirt) looks to break through for Swansea City at Wrexham. Photo: Swansea City.
Adran Premier
Wrexham 3-3 Swansea City
Swansea started the game brightly with last season’s top scorer Stacy John-Davis having two early chances to give the Swans the lead. Her header was cleared from the line before she saw her shot hit the bar.
Despite Swansea’s good start, they found themselves behind in the 23rd minute. Keren Allen playing the ball though to Rebecca Pritchard who sent the ball past Claire Skinner.
In the 56th minute, Wrexham went two up after a good ball from Lilli Jones found Rosie Hughes in the box. Hughes calmly put the ball past the keeper.
Swansea put the pressure back on Wrexham and found a goal in the 75th minute. Delyth Morgan failed to hold on to Ellie Lake’s low cross and Robyn Pinder was first to the ball to turn in from close range.
Chloe Chivers levelled the game in the 80th minute with a volley from the edge of the box. There was more drama to come as Hannah Keryakoplis put Wrexham back in front. Chivers lost the ball and allowed Wrexham into the box where Hughes set up Keryakoplis to score.
Things got worse for Swansea one minute later as Ellie Lake was sent off for kicking out at Pritchard. The ten players of Swansea did manage to find another equaliser as captain Katy Hosford sent a lob from 25 yards over the keeper.
Cardiff Met 1-3 Cardiff City
It took the champions just 15 minutes to take the lead at Cyncoed Campus. Megan Bowen slid in at the back post to turn in Ffion Price’s free kick.
Met hit back and Ingrid Adland fired in from outside the box on her Cardiff Met debut. Just before halftime, the Bluebirds were back in front. Rhianne Oakley picked the ball up on the right and made a driving run into the box before slotting the ball in at the near post.
In added time the Bluebirds added a third as Bowen turned in from close range after Catherine Walsh’s header was blocked.
Aberystwyth Town 3-0 Barry Town United
(Credit Aberystwyth Media)
Aberystwyth Town enjoyed a sensational start to the season. trouncing Barry Town United 3-0 to go top of the league after the first round of matches.
The win came courtesy of two 15-year-old debutantes, Lily Moralee-Hughes with a first-half brace and Lleucu Mathias with one
Gavin Allen’s side started with four players making their first appearances in the Genero Adran Premier: Moralee-Hughes, Mathias, the versatile Imi Scourfield, and new goalkeeper Margot Farnes – all teenagers. There was another teenager on the bench, Impetus sponsored Modlen Gwynne.
And it was Moralee-Hughes and Mathias who grabbed the goals, while centre-half pairing Libby Isaac and Rebecca Mathias controlled things at the back.
It was the first match under new skipper Amy Jenkins’ official captaincy – and she couldn’t have been more delighted. “I’m so pleased with an amazing team performance,” she said afterwards. “Everyone worked so hard, and I’m delighted for the girls who made their debuts.”
Pontypridd United 1-3 The New Saints
The New Saints (TNS) got their season off with a win over likely rivals for a spot in the top half, Pontypridd. Danielle Staley gave TNS the lead after 30 minutes before Isobel Redding added the second in the 78th minute. Pontypridd mounted a late comeback attempt when Cerys Bufton scored with three minutes to play, but the Saints ended their chances as Caitlin Chapman added their third in the 89th minute.
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