Wrexham maintained their lead at the top of the Genero Adran Premier with a 3-1 victory over Barry Town United at Jenner Park on Sunday.
Natasha Thomas continued her epic scoring form to put Wrexham ahead in the 17th minute as she received Maria Francis-Jones’ through ball and slotted into the far corner. The Jamaican forward has now scored in all six Genero Adran Premier games she has featured in so far this season.
Cymru U23 international Faye Knox produced a moment of magic to double Wrexham’s lead six minutes later as Lili Jones intercepted Jemima Lister’s pass and laid the ball off to Knox, who curled beautifully into the top corner, with her effort just squeezing past Barry goalkeeper Molly Arnesen.
Barry were gifted a lifeline shortly before half time as Wrexham captain Jodie Bartle misjudged Emily Freeman’s cross, which allowed Erin Murray to pick up the pieces and fire beyond Liz Craven when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
All frustration was put aside for Wrexham nine minutes into the second half though, as the reigning champions restored their two-goal cushion thanks to Francis-Jones’ corner which saw the strong winds in South Wales take it over Arnesen and directly into the net. Jenny Sugarman’s side keep their perfect away record intact and continue to sit as narrow leaders on goal-difference.
The New Saints maintained pressure on Wrexham at the top of the table as Fiona Barry’s brace inspired a 4-0 victory over bottom-of-the-table Aberystwyth Town at Park Hall.
Saints were kept at bay by their opponents in the early stages, but Barry changed that in the 27th minute as she received Annie Davies’ pass and picked out the far corner with a low drive. Barry turned provider for Saints’ second goal seven minutes later as her cross towards the back post was met by Gibraltar international Caitlin Chapman, who scored from close range.
Abbie Iddenden tucked away a rebound six minutes into the second half before she set up Barry’s second of the afternoon just seconds later as the current Genero Adran Premier top scorer latched onto Iddenden’s clipped pass and fired clinically into the far corner. Saints have won all four of their home matches so far this season, scoring a minimum of three goals in each.
Cardiff City claimed their sixth consecutive win with a statement 6-0 victory over Briton Ferry Llansawel at The Renewable Centre Stadium.
Cardiff needed just 11 minutes to take the lead as Mackenzie Olden battled past Jess Denscombe and squared the ball to Mia Malone, who bagged her third goal of the campaign.
Katy Hosford rattled the crossbar as Ferry came extremely close to an immediate equaliser, but Brooke Llewellyn’s foul inside the area up the other end resulted in a Cardiff penalty, which Kate Oakley converted to make it 2-0 with 16 minutes played.
Haile Richards was introduced early on for the visitors after Gillian Keenan was forced off the pitch with injury and Richards took just 10 minutes to find the net as she produced a clinical finish from the left hand side to put the Bluebirds in a commanding position at half time.
Anna Houghton also made an instant impact off the bench midway through the second half by firing home from Olden’s low cross just two minutes after she came on as a substitute. Olden finished off a slick team move to make it five before she recorded her fourth assist of the afternoon by setting up Lily Billingham, who was rewarded with a goal for her standout display. Noah Bushby’s side remain just three points behind the current top two sides The New Saints and Wrexham.
Swansea City strengthened their place in the top half with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Stadium.
Swansea dominated the first half and went extremely close to the opening goal through Chloe Chivers, who struck the crossbar with her dipping shot from distance. Taite Trivett also missed a gilt-edge chance for the visitors as she was unable to convert the rebound from Chivers’ saved effort from just a yard out.
The Swans eventually found the breakthrough in the 66th minute as Chivers released Aimee Deacon, who fired home when one-on-one with Violet Bell. Chivers wrapped up all three points for Yzzy Taylor’s side eight minutes later as she received Lily Deacon’s pass and picked out the bottom corner with one of her trademark long range strikes to bag her sixth goal in five games.
Caitlin Seaborne made a terrific last ditch tackle to deny Met’s Olivia Basham from close range and ensure the Swans kept back-to-back clean sheets on the road.
In the Genero Adran North, Llanfair United moved to the top of the table after a convincing 5-1 victory away at Flint Town United at the Essity Stadium.
Llanfair made a flying start as Sophie Cook converted a Tania Wylde assist before doubling her tally just before half-time to give the visitors a two-goal cushion at the break. Flint were dealt a further blow midway through the first half when new signing Laura Williams was forced off. Williams had scored in each of her appearances for the club so far this season.
Kelsey Davies gave Flint hope shortly after the restart, reducing the deficit to one goal, but Llanfair quickly reasserted their dominance. Emma Williams added a third before an own goal from Chloe Hughes and a strike from substitute Sioned Roberts completed the scoring, securing Llanfair a 5-1 win and maintaining their 100 per cent start to the league campaign with two victories from two matches.
Genero Adran Premier results:
Aberystwyth Town 2-2 Barry Town United
Cardiff City 1-0 The New Saints
Wrexham 7-0 Cardiff Met
Swansea City 0-3 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Genero Adran North results:
Flint Town United 1-5 Llanfair United
Llandudno P-P Bangor City 1876
Felinheli P-P Connah’s Quay Nomads
