While Briton Ferry Llansawel cruised to the Genero Adran South title last season, it could be a much more open division this time around.
For so long, Cascade have always been the bridesmaid and never the bride.
Twice in a row now, they have finished second in the table behind Briton Ferry, but with the Reds now in the Genero Adran Premier, Cascade could feel this is their best opportunity to capture the league title at long last.
The versatile Lauren Boyd is their only departure, but they’ve strengthened at the back by brining in Clare Daley from Pontypridd United, while Megan Waite comes in from Cardiff City’s U19 setup and has already scored in the Genero Adran Trophy.
The team who were in the upper echelons of the table with Briton Ferry and Cascade last season were Cwmbran Celtic.
James Kinsella’s side were only promoted the year before but wasted no time in making an impression in the second tier, as they recorded a third-place finish.
A lot of the squad have stayed together from last season, and they have added some interesting pieces around them. Lauren Boyd joins from Cascade, Katie Williams adds some solidity to the midfield, while Grace O’Reilly and Amie Preston bring youth to a side who will be looking to go all the way.
Following their relegation from the Genero Adran Premier, Pontypridd United will aim to bounce back at the first time of asking.
There has been a mass exodus in the Valleys after relegation, with plenty of last season’s mainstays going on to pastures new, including captain Holly Broad and Genero Adran Premier Goalkeeper of the Season, Klaudia Wojtyczka.
Instead, manager Claire O’Sullivan is putting her faith in youth this season. A number of the U19 squad will be experiencing the first team environment for the first time, and the additions of Molly Jones and Torri Grenfell are further evidence of that, while the likes of Shannon Hindmarsh and Lucy Jones have remained at the club and provide vital experience.
Swansea University quietly went about having a very successful campaign last time out.
The Students only lost three games last season, and were able to record some impressive results, including beating Cascade and drawing away to Cwmbran Celtic.
Two of last year’s starters, Emily Illet and Freya Sullivan, have departed over the summer, however, Evie Norris joins from Briton Ferry, as the University side aim to surprise many again this time around.
This season’s newly-promoted side are Penybont, appearing in the Genero Adran South for the first time.
After finishing second in the third tier, Bont were able to get themselves promoted, and haven’t wasted any time in making moves in the summer.
Poppi Coggins and Paige Ward arrive from Barry Town United’s title winning U19 side, while Leah Samuel adds some topflight experience to their defence. With two wins from two so far in the Genero Adran Trophy, including an eyebrow raising one away to Cwmbran Celtic, Penybont will hope to make their mark in the division.
It could be a very big season for Llanelli Town after their fifth-place finish in their first second tier campaign.
Over the summer, Llanelli announced their move to a semi-professional model, becoming the first side in the second tier to do so.
The Reds have added plenty of players in a bid to climb up the table. Meghan Roles and Celyn Barnett join from Pontardawe Town, while Morven Montgomery comes down from Scottish side Ayr United.
Caldicot Town brought in plenty of players last summer but struggled to challenge the bigger sides in the division.
This summer, the numbers coming in have been lower, but there’s now some Genero Adran Premier experience in their ranks. Striker Kennesha Nanette joins from Cardiff Met, as does Minji Kim, while forward Rianne Jones will add some dynamite to the front line.
A 5-1 win over Cascade in the opening round of group matches in the Genero Adran Premier was a statement of intent early on this season.
