Cardiff City return to the Cardiff City Stadium to host reigning Genero Adran Premier champions Wrexham on Sunday evening.
It was not the start to the season Cardiff would have hoped for after they suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Swansea City in Noah Bushby’s first league game in charge as new manager – their first loss to their arch rivals in nearly two years.
There were still many positives for Bushby and his side despite a disappointing opening day result, including a debut goal for Irish forward Gillian Keenan. Cardiff would love nothing more than to get off the mark in the new campaign with victory over last season’s title rivals Wrexham, who beat the Bluebirds to win the title in March.
Wrexham got their defence of the Genero Adran Premier title off to a perfect start with a 4-0 home win over Aberystwyth Town. Summer signing Natasha Thomas and last season’s golden boot winner Katie Barker have both opened their accounts for the new campaign already, and they could have a big say in South Wales on Sunday.
Cardiff and Wrexham faced each other six times across all competitions last season. Former Bluebird Fiona Barry scored late goals in both Phase One meetings to earn Cardiff four points, but Wrexham beat the Bluebirds on penalties in February’s Genero Adran Trophy final just one week before they triumphed 3-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Cardiff earned a 2-1 win in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup semi-finals on their way to lifting the trophy, but perhaps the most memorable meeting between the two sides came at the end of March, where Wrexham won 4-1 at the STōk Cae Ras to secure their first ever top-flight title and complete a league and cup double.
After their win over rivals Cardiff on the opening day, Swansea City travel to face Aberystwyth Town at Park Avenue.
Stunning strikes from Chloe Chivers and Emily Richards inspired Swansea to a statement victory in the South Wales derby, and Yzzy Taylor’s side would have also been pleased to avoid a repeat of last season’s Bute Energy Welsh Cup final by not squandering a three-goal lead.
There would have been slight added frustration for the Swans after they conceded late on to Cardiff, meaning they have still only kept one league clean sheet in 2026 so far.
Aberystwyth faced a tough assignment on their opening day visit to champions Wrexham, but the Seasiders were able to showcase many of their rising stars, including new goalkeeper Meg Bowen, who starred with numerous saves last Sunday.
Swansea won all three meetings against Aberystwyth last season with 2-0 and 2-1 victories in the Genero Adran Premier before Chivers’ goal and two assists inspired a 3-1 win in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup first round.
Briton Ferry Llansawel aim to build on their strong opening day performance against newly-promoted Cardiff Met at The Renewable Centre Stadium.
Ferry have maintained the majority of their squad from last season for the 2026/27 campaign and the Reds have new manager Mark Murison a fun first experience in the Genero Adran Premier as his side stormed to a 4-1 victory over Barry Town United last Sunday. Ferry’s prolific attacking trio all got off the mark in that emphatic win, with Crofts bagging a brace alongside goals from Maia Owen and Megan Kearle.
Cardiff Met waved goodbye to star forwards Esme Kilburn-Thompson, Summer Kilby and Anna Houghton in the summer, but Jonathan Nash’s side put up a spirited performance in their first match back in the top-flight despite losing 2-0 at home against The New Saints. Met’s away form was vital to their Genero Adran South title success last season as the Archers dropped points just once on the road, while scoring an impressive 24 goals in their other six away fixtures.
Ferry were triumphant in both league games against Met in the 2024/25 Genero Adran Premier after securing 5-0 and 2-1 victories.
The New Saints made a winning start to their exciting new era and now host Barry Town United in their first home game of the season at Park Hall.
Saints were kept at bay by Cardiff Met for over an hour in the capital last weekend, but Fiona Barry set up Lexi Jones and scored late to seal victory and mark her debut in style. Barry’s ex-Cardiff City teammates Nieve Rowbottom and Helen Evans, along with former Wrexham duo Hannah Snape and Abbie Iddenden will give TNS extra quality throughout the campaign.
Barry had a contrasting feeling last weekend following their 4-1 home defeat to Briton Ferry Llansawel, so James Fishlock’s side will have to show considerable improvements if they are to bounce back in Oswestry.
TNS scored three first half goals to earn a convincing 4-2 win over Barry in last season’s first meeting between the two sides, but Barry showed resilience in the reverse Phase One fixture to hold Saints to a 1-1 draw at Park Hall in December.
