Genero Adran Leagues
Fiona Barry scored a stoppage-time winner for the second week running as The New Saints moved three points clear at the top of the Genero Adran Premier with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Wrexham at The Rock.
Saints were gifted the lead on 18 minutes when Barry latched onto a loose ball and lob Lucy Farrell from distance. The visitors doubled their advantage twelve minutes into the second half as Caitlin Chapman spun away from Sarah Harvey, sprinted down the left and delivered a low cross for Lexie Harrison to tap home at the back post. Wrexham captain Jodie Bartle set up an interesting finish with her first Genero Adran Premier goal since November, planting a header into the bottom corner from Faye Knox's free kick, and Jenny Sugarman's side thought they had salvaged a point in injury time when Natasha Thomas looped a header over Mackenzie Haydn-Jones for her seventh goal of the campaign. However, there was another late twist as Barry received a short pass from Lia Lewis and sent another dipping effort from outside the area over Farrell to spark wild celebrations and maintain Saints' perfect record.
Cardiff City came from behind to claim their third consecutive win with a 7-1 triumph over Cardiff Met Women at the CIS Stadium. Met took the lead through Lily Moralee-Hughes on 20 minutes, but the hosts replied quickly through Lily Billingham and Mackenzie Olden completed the first half turnaround with a neat finish. Gillian Keenan put the Bluebirds firmly in control after the restart, finishing off two well-worked goals to make it 4-1 shortly past the hour. Kate Oakley scored her first Genero Adran Premier goal in style just three minutes after coming on, cutting inside and curling into the far corner, before Oakley and Olden added the final goals in the closing stages as both attackers joined Keenan in bagging a brace.
Swansea City put their late defeat to The New Saints seven days earlier behind them as Aimee Deacon's brace spearheaded a 4-0 victory over Barry Town United at Jenner Park. Chloe Chivers got Swansea up and running with a trademark long range effort inside six minutes, before doubling the lead seven minutes before half time with her fifth goal of the season. Barry put the ball in the net early in the second half, but Jemima Lister was deemed offside. Deacon added a third near the hour mark, before calmly converting from the penalty spot six minutes later following Amelia Herbert's foul, which also resulted in a second yellow card for the Barry defender. The Swans therefore move level on points with second placed Wrexham, while Barry remain rooted at the bottom after conceding 28 goals in their first five games.
Maizie Stiens and Freya Peyton both scored hat-tricks as Briton Ferry Llansawel stormed to a 7-1 win over Aberystwyth Town. Fifteen-year-old Stiens put Ferry ahead early, skipping past her marker and firing clinically into the bottom corner, before doubling her tally with a curling effort with her weaker foot. Amy Jenkins halved the deficit for Aberystwyth, but Katy Hosford immediately restored the two-goal cushion with a free kick that looped in off the bar. Stiens completed her first half hat-trick five minutes before the break, guiding a header beyond Megan Bowen. Peyton, on as a substitute, needed just two minutes to find the net, then added her second after cutting inside and slotting home at the near post. She completed her hat-trick in stoppage time, holding off challenges before sending a fierce strike into the top corner.
Genero Adran Trophy
Group 1:
Flint Town United sealed progression to the last 16 with a 3-2 victory over Bangor City 1876. Poppy Smith opened the scoring inside two minutes, only for Menna Evans to level five minutes later. Kelsey Davies scored on her debut on the stroke of half-time, before Ruby Hastings set her up for a second on the hour. Ellie Jones halved the deficit to set up a tense finish, but Flint held on to guarantee top spot. Llanfair United also progressed as Grace Thomas' dramatic stoppage time strike sealed a 3-2 win over Felinheli, adding to earlier strikes from Sioned Roberts and Harriet Davies.
Group 2:
Wrexham Foresters secured their place in the last sixteen with a hard fought 3-0 win over Berriew. Anna Thomas opened the scoring after 13 minutes, and despite being reduced to ten players following Savannah Miller's red card, the Foresters extended their lead through Thomas and Kirstie Kural. The other fixture between Connah's Quay Nomads and Llandudno was postponed, with both sides' progression already decided.
Group 3:
Ellis Lunn scored a hat-trick as Cascade stormed to a 5-1 win over Penybont to progress. Lunn's opener was cancelled out by Megan Clarke's fourth goal in two games, but Cascade needed just four minutes after the restart to retake the lead through Lunn, who completed her hat-trick a minute later. Annaliese Lewis headed home the fourth from a corner, and Trinity Reakes wrapped up the scoring on 72 minutes. Cwmbran Celtic topped the group following a 1-1 draw with Pure Swansea, Gracie Grosvenor's goal being cancelled out by Kayleigh Hateley.
Group 4:
Carmarthen Town reached the knockout stage for the first time in their history as they topped the group following a 1-0 win over Pontypridd United. Jasmine Guymer, who has scored in all three group matches, netted the decisive goal with just six minutes on the clock. Cambrian United meanwhile claimed a 1-0 victory over Llanrumney United through Niamh Duggan's penalty, but it wasn't enough to leapfrog Pontypridd, as they exit the group stage on goal difference.
