It was a dramatic end to the group stage in the Genero Adran Trophy as the knockout stage spots were confirmed.
Group 1
Cwmbran Celtic topped the group and qualified for the knockout stage with a 3-1 home win over Cascade, who had already secured their progress.
Fiona Anthony netted either side of half-time – having also scored a brace in the league last weekend – to put Celtic 2-0 ahead after 52 minutes, before Georgina Cridland added the hosts’ third goal soon after. Cascade got on the scoresheet thanks to Erin Parry’s finish on the hour mark, but they could complete a comeback.
Celtic’s victory meant that Taffs Well’s chances of progressing were over before they had even kicked off against Penybont, but they fell to a 3-0 defeat at the DragonBet Stadium.
Bont were already knocked out following defeat in their first two group games, but they took the lead after just eight minutes through Maddie Priday’s penalty before Erin Bater doubled the advantage on 43 minutes. Niamh Terry wrapped up the win early in the second half.
Group 2
Llanelli Town reached the Genero Adran Trophy knockout stage for the first time with a 3-2 victory over Carmarthen Town at Stebonheath.
In-form striker Summer Evans put Carmarthen ahead in the 21st minute, but Llanelli scored three times in the space of 11 minutes to turn the game around in the blink of an eye before half-time. Ffion Varney and Paige Crosby both found the net before 16-year-old Danni Webster scored her first senior goal for the Reds in style with a stunning strike from distance.
Grace McDonald pulled a goal back for Carmarthen early in the second half, but Llanelli held on to book their place in the Round of 16.
Cardiff Met made it three wins from two games in the group with a 3-1 home victory over Pure Swansea, knocking the visitors out in the process.
Scarlett Davies found the breakthrough for Met in first half stoppage time before Carys Gittins doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half. Davies then bagged her second of the afternoon from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, making it five goals in her last four games.
Kayleigh Hateley got Pure Swansea on the scoresheet in the 89th minute, but it came too late to save her side’s place in the competition.
Group 3
Llywela Edwards scored a hat-trick as Felinheli came from two goals down to stun Connah’s Quay Nomads and reach the knockout stage with a 3-2 victory at Deeside Stadium.
The Nomads seemed to be in firm control of the contest when Hannah Slack and Ella Jones scored within three minutes of each other to earn a 2-0 lead just after the half hour mark, but Felinheli were gifted a route back into the game in first half stoppage time when Megan Bowen’s foul on Edwards inside the area allowed the striker to convert from the penalty spot.
Edwards then produced a superb strike to level the game on 70 minutes as she held off Mae Hodgers and sent a curling effort into the top corner. The comeback was complete 10 minutes later when Edwards’ wide free-kick sailed beyond a crowded area and nestled into the bottom corner.
The Nomads pushed for an equaliser to stay in the competition, but time ran out for Jordan Parry’s side as they failed to reach the Genero Adran Trophy knockout stage for the first time.
Llandudno made it three wins from three games in the group stage as substitute Maddie Williams bagged a brace in a 3-1 comeback win at home against Berriew.
Berriew teenager Hester North scored her first ever senior goal to give the visitors a 23rd-minute lead, but Llandudno found their equaliser in first half stoppage time as Olivia Rigby found the net.
Williams replaced Rigby seven minutes into the second half and that switch worked wonders as the substitute scored twice in the space of 13 minutes to complete the comeback.
Group 4
Llanfair United booked their spot in the knockout stage with an emphatic 4-0 win over Bangor at Mount Field.
The two sides were level on points ahead of the clash, but Llanfair immediately took control as Tania Wylde scored twice in the opening nine minutes. Paris Schofield set up Emma Williams for the third goal on 33 minutes, before Schofield found the net herself late on as Llanfair topped the group.
Wildcard entrant Llangefni Town may have been eliminated ahead of Matchday 3, but they nonetheless secured an impressive 4-1 home win over Flint Town United.
The Silkwomen had already confirmed their progress and they led inside three minutes at Cae Bob Parry as Bella Devereux scored her first goal for the club. However, that lead lasted just 16 minutes as Milly-Jessica Lowe equalised for Llangefni.
The hosts’ turnaround was complete nine minutes into the second half thanks to captain Ffion Owen’s strike, while Amber Brown made it 3-1 from the penalty spot in the 80th minute.
Flint’s woes increased late on as Rebecca Eagles was shown a straight red card before Lowe scored in stoppage time to complete her brace.
Weekend results in full:
Group 1
Cwmbran Celtic 3-1 Cascade
Penybont 3-0 Taffs Well
Group 2
Cardiff Met 3-1 Pure Swansea
Llanelli Town 3-2 Carmarthen Town
Group 3
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-3 Felinheli
Llandudno 3-1 Berriew
Group 4
Llanfair United 4-0 Bangor
Llangefni Town 4-1 Flint Town United
