Swansea City began their 2026/27 Genero Adran Premier campaign with a statement 3-1 victory over South Wales derby rivals Cardiff City at the ThermaGlaze Ground on Sunday.
Cardiff had a glorious chance to take the lead inside just five minutes as Gillian Keenan met Haile Richards’ low cross but could only fire straight at Amelia Forkings. Swansea punished Keenan’s missed chance as Chloe Chivers opened the scoring for the home side on 17 minutes by whipping a sweetly struck free-kick over Grace Olsen and into the net via the underside of the crossbar.
The Swans were gifted a second goal just a minute later as Maddison Perrott’s interception to deny Chivers fell loose and ricocheted off Shannon Evans, leaving Olsen wrongfooted and unable to prevent the ball from creeping into the bottom corner.
Cardiff nearly halved the deficit shortly before half time as Evans’ audacious effort from distance forced Formings into a tremendous diving save before Ffion Price met a looping ball and clipped the post with a header from close range. Despite coming extremely close to finding the net, it was Swansea who grabbed the third goal of the contest to extend their lead as neat work from Aimee Deacon to keep possession allowed Emily Richards to send a powerful first-time effort beyond Olsen from the edge of the area.
Keenan bundled the ball home from Price’s corner with two minutes of normal time remaining to pull a goal back for the Bluebirds, but that only proved to be a consolation as Swansea claimed their first win over their rivals in nearly two years.
Reigning Genero Adran Premier champions Wrexham got their defence of the title off to the perfect start with a 4-0 victory over Aberystwyth Town at The Rock.
Jamaican international and former Ipswich Town stalwart Natasha Thomas got Wrexham up and running for the new season on the half-hour as the forward headed home from Maria Francis-Jones’ cross.
Francis-Jones doubled Wrexham’s lead just three minutes into the second half as she received Lili Jones’ lay-off and clinically fired into the top corner. Francis-Jones was involved for Wrexham’s third goal two minutes later as her cross towards the back post was not dealt with by Aberystwyth, allowing Ava Suckley to slam the ball into the net from close range.
The 2025/26 Genero Adran Premier Player of the Season and golden boot winner Katie Barker rounded off a convincing display from the champions in the 73rd minute as she met Jones’ cross and sent a looping header over Meg Bowen to give Jenny Sugarman’s side their biggest league win at home in nearly a year.
Briton Ferry Llansawel also earned an impressive opening day victory after they beat Barry Town United 4-1 at Jenner Park in Mark Murison’s first game in charge of the club.
Ferry scored the opening day’s quickest goal as Maia Owen put the Reds ahead with a composed finish after latching onto Laura-May Walkley-Witts’ through ball.
Jade Crofts quickly doubled Ferry’s lead in the 11th minute as Lowri Ridings headed the ball back across goal from Megan Kearle’s free-kick, which allowed Crofts to apply the finishing touch.
Kearle added a third goal for the visitors six minutes before half time as she sent a stunning free-kick into the top corner from the edge of the area. Ferry put themselves in a commanding position at the start of the second half as Crofts applied pressure on Molly Arnesen and dispossessed the Barry goalkeeper before slotting in her second goal of the afternoon.
Amy Long pulled a goal back for Barry from the penalty spot, but Ferry were not fazed and secured all three points to get their season off to a flying start.
Fiona Barry starred in her debut for The New Saints as her goal and assist helped secure a 2-0 win over newly-promoted Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Stadium.
Barry saw an effort denied by the crossbar as both teams headed into half time goalless, but Saints eventually broke the deadlock midway through the second half as Barry cut the ball back to Lexi Jones, who fired home from close range.
Met goalkeeper Violet Bell pulled off some key saves to keep the deficit at just 1-0, but Barry ensured TNS would head back to North Wales with all three points as she picked out the top corner from the edge of the area.
Genero Adran Premier results
Barry Town United 1-4 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Cardiff Met 0-2 The New Saints
Wrexham 4-0 Aberystwyth Town
Swansea City 3-1 Cardiff City
