There’s absolutely no doubting that 2023 has been a monumental and historic year in the Genero Adran Leagues.
The year began with a blockbuster race to claim the final spot in the Genero Adran Premier top four. The New Saints and Pontypridd United had battled each other all throughout phase one, and in their final game of the first act, the Dragons suffered a surprise defeat away to bottom of the Abergavenny.
This gave TNS an opportunity to sneak into the Championship Group, as long as they defeated Abergavenny by four goals in their final phase one game. With the clock ticking down, Greg Draper’s side had only scored three, but Emily Ridge struck with two minutes remaining. Pandemonium for the Saints, heartbreak for the Dragons, who had to settle for the Plate Conference once more.
Pontypridd did manage to put their disappointment behind them as they won the Plate for the second consecutive year. There was relief for Barry Town United as they survived relegation; that place instead going to Abergavenny.
In the Championship Group, TNS managed to pull off some great results, including defeating Cardiff Met in a thrilling 5-4 win on the final day. The Archers failed to win any game in phase two after they had won the Genero Adran Trophy, while Swansea City had to settle for a second-place finish.
But the season belonged to Cardiff City. The Bluebirds went unbeaten, recorded incredible results, including a 9-0 victory over Met, and finished the campaign in style: beating Swansea City at Cardiff City Stadium. It was their first title in a decade. Now the top-flight was sorted, attention turned to who would earn promotion.
In the Genero Adran North, there was an intense battle for the title between Wrexham and Connah’s Quay Nomads. The tussle became more important, as the teams met twice right at the end of the season. Wrexham gained a vital 3-1 win at the Deeside Stadium, which allowed them to wrap up the title the following week away to Rhyl 1879.
Their coronation would take place in front of a Welsh league record crowd of 9,511 at the Racecourse. It was a memorable occasion for so many, especially for TJ Dickens, who scored a jaw dropping free kick, as the Red Dragons snatched a 2-1 win. Now, they went off to win it all.
In the Genero Adran South, things were a little more straightforward for winners Briton Ferry Llansawel. In a 16-game season, Ferry won 15 of their games and won the title by eleven points. There were memorable seasons for a lot of that team, most notably Megan Kearle and Laura-May Walkley. Kearle found the back of the net 20 times, while Walkley assisted on 15 occasions.
And so, the stage was set for the promotion play-off at Newtown’s Latham Park. Wrexham or Briton Ferry. Who would cap off the perfect season?
It was a tight and cagey game. The South champions edged the contest in terms of chances, but the Wrexham defence and Del Morgan between the sticks did a magnificent job of keeping Steve Dale’s team in the game. And how the Hollywood Reds would take advantage, as Rebecca Pritchard prodded home to seal the win and promotion for Wrexham.
Into the summer, and to call it busy would be an understatement, as every side across the divisions were extremely active in the transfer window.
In the Genero Adran Premier, Molly Kehoe joined the Bluebirds from the Cayman Islands, Cardiff Met stars, Robyn Pinder, Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, and Steph Turner joined Swansea, while Keren Allen and Louisha Doran bolstered Wrexham’s defence.
We also saw some Welsh internationals come into the league. Nadia Lawrence and Nia Jones joined Pontypridd United, Chloe Bull returned to the Genero Adran Premier, this time wearing the white of Swansea, while U19 international Niamh Duggan re-joined Aberystwyth Town after a stint at Reading.
There were new faces in the dugout too, as we said hello to Daniel Delahay at Cardiff Met and Stevie McCarthy-Campbell at Barry Town.
There was also plenty of movement in the second tier. Alison Witts departed Pontypridd and joined Briton Ferry, two of the third tier’s most lethal strikers, Stevie Donougher and Sade Benjamin, made moves to Llandudno and Rhyl respectively, while Erin Parry signed for Cascade.
In addition to new faces, we welcomed new teams. The North greeted Bangor and NFA with open arms, while in the South, Coed Duon, Cwmbran Celtic, and Llanelli Town joined the fray.
But perhaps the biggest stories of the summer came in terms of outgoings, as we saw some of the Genero Adran League’s youngest stars make moves over the border to England. Bluebird starlets Phoebie Poole and Lily Billingham joined Cheltenham Town, Elen Valentine now calls Newcastle United home, Sienna Strapp packed her bags and headed to Stoke City, while Genero Adran Premier Young Player of the Year, Liv Francis, joined WSL powerhouses Manchester United.
As if all this wasn’t enough, clubs in the top-flight took even bigger strides. Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham all announced they’d be moving to semi-pro statuses, with Pontypridd United and Barry Town United making similar steps towards professionalisation.
With the summer fanfare over, attention turned to the pitch, and it’s fair to say it’s been a thrilling season so far.
In the Genero Adran North, Connah’s Quay are setting the pace and are unbeaten so far, but Llandudno are close behind them, ready to capitalise if they slip up. The other six teams are taking points off each other, and it’s impossible to predict where each will finish.
In the South, Briton Ferry are standing tall at the top of the table and have yet to concede a goal this season. Cascade sit second, but Swansea University have been the surprise package, and have even made it to the quarter-final stage of the Genero Adran Trophy.
At the top table, Cardiff City have picked up where they left off by soaring to the top of the standings. The only side who have been able to take points off the champions so far are Aberystwyth, who put in a strong and brave performance in Leckwith.
Swansea and Wrexham are looking good for a spot in the top four, with a crowd of 3,859 watching the two teams face off at the Swansea.com Stadium in November – a club record.
Meanwhile, it seems to be a battle between TNS and the afore mentioned Seasiders for the final top four spot. At the bottom, Pontypridd are yet to score a point, and know they need a strong 2024 to keep their hopes alive.
2023 without a doubt has been a year full of firsts and growth, and with so much more happening in 2024, it promises to be the biggest year yet for the Genero Adran Leagues.
