The Genero Adran Premier opening weekend has thrown up plenty of enticing matchups to kick off the 2023/24 season.
Reigning champions Cardiff City begin the defence of their title by making the trip across the capital to visit last season’s third-place side Cardiff Met (KO 14:00).
The Bluebirds, who did not lose a league game throughout 2022/23, are fresh from a competitive pre-season and two matches in the UEFA Women’s Champions League in Lithuania last week.
Meanwhile, it has been a summer of overhaul at Cyncoed, with an experienced core – including Bluebirds new signing Tija Richardson – being replaced by younger talent, many of whom will make their first appearances on Sunday. There will also be a debut in the dugout for new boss Daniel Delahay.
Cardiff City won all four league meetings between the two clubs last season, but the Archers triumphed over Iain Darbyshire’s side in the Genero Adran Trophy final to deny them the treble.
Newly-promoted Wrexham will make their Genero Adran Premier debut when they host Swansea City at The Rock on Sunday evening (KO 17:45), live on S4C.
Steve Dale’s side won all 12 of their matches in the Genero Adran North last season before beating Briton Ferry Llansawel in the promotion play-off, so all eyes will be on how they fare in the top-flight.
After a second-place finish in the Genero Adran Premier last season, Swansea have been busy in the transfer market as they attempt to win the top-flight title for a record seventh time. Robyn Pinder and Chloe Bull are among those who could debut on Sunday.
It will be a first meeting between the two clubs since a Karmyn Carter hat-trick helped the Swans to a 6-0 win in the Genero Adran Trophy in December 2021.
Pontypridd United and The New Saints meet at USW Sports Park on the opening weekend (KO 14:00) following their intense battle for a spot in the top half last season.
Greg Draper’s side were ultimately victorious, but only by virtue of one goal scored, which Emily Ridge got in the 88th minute of their 4-0 win over Abergavenny Town at the end of phase one.
Both clubs finished last season strongly, with TNS claiming back-to-back wins over Swansea City and Cardiff Met while Pontypridd went unbeaten throughout phase two.
Kirstie Kural will be hoping to make her TNS debut after starring in the Genero Adran North for Connah’s Quay Nomads last term, while the Dragons’ summer signings such as Nadia Lawrence and Alana Murphy could also appear for the first time in their new colours.
Aberystwyth Town and Barry Town United meet at Park Avenue (KO 14:00) hoping to improve on sixth and seventh place finishes respectively last season.
The Seasiders finished 2022/23 by winning four of their final five league matches, including two against Barry, so will hope to carry that momentum into the new campaign – helped by the arrival of Cymru U17 international Niamh Duggan from Reading.
It will be a first competitive game in charge of Barry for Stevie McCarthy-Campbell, while there could be debuts for 2021/22 Genero Adran Premier title winner Chloe Tiley and India Shanahan, who scored 24 goals for Cardiff City’s U19s last season.
Aberystwyth won three of the four matches between the two sides last season, but one of Barry’s three league wins all year did come against the Seasiders at the end of October.
