The New Saints concluded Phase One of the Genero Adran Premier in emphatic style with a 5-0 victory over Cardiff Met at Park Hall on Sunday.
Chantelle Teare gave TNS the lead after just seven minutes as she sent a looping effort over Met goalkeeper Charlotte Smith from outside the area, while Maria Francis-Jones doubled the advantage five minutes later when her free-kick from out wide evaded a number of bodies and nestled into the far corner.
Helen Evans capped off an impressive first half for Shauna Duffy’s side as she slotted home from close range shortly before the break after Molly Havard’s free-kick had been parried by Smith.
Kay Baker’s first goal for the Saints arrived in the 72nd minute as she poked home Francis-Jones’ corner, while Francis-Jones completed the scoring with her second of the evening six minutes later after some neat link up play with substitute Olivia Buckland.
While Briton Ferry Llansawel v Barry Town United and Swansea City v Wrexham were both postponed due to waterlogged pitches, Cardiff City were 2-0 up at half-time against Aberystwyth Town at Leckwith before the game was abandoned for the same reason.
The Bluebirds had scored twice in three minutes to take control of the game, as Ffion Price fired into the top corner from the right hand side before Fiona Barry cut inside from the same flank and sent a sweet strike past Chelsea Herbert.
Aberystwyth were reduced to 10 players on 35 minutes as midfielder Lily Moralee-Hughes was shown a straight red card, before referee Ieuan Lewis abandoned the contest at the break.
In the Genero Adran North, second-place Llanfair United closed the gap on leaders Connah’s Quay Nomads to five points as Harriet Davies’ hat-trick inspired a 4-1 win over Flint Town United at the Essity Stadium.
Ruby Hastings’ close-range finish gave Flint the breakthrough after 22 minutes played, but Sophie Cook tapped home from Emma Williams’ cross to level the scoreline on 35 minutes before Davies completed a quickfire turnaround with her first goal of the afternoon. Llanfair had a two-goal cushion at the break as Davies struck again on the stroke of half-time.
It looked as though the striker would have to settle for a brace, but she completed her hat-trick in stoppage time by sending a low drive across goal and into the bottom corner.
Swansea University climbed to second in the Genero Adran South – level on points with leaders Pontypridd United – after Annabel Stokes scored four goals in a 5-1 home win over Caldicot Town.
It was struggling Caldicot who took the lead as Macey Morris netted inside 17 minutes, but Charley Haynes equalised for the hosts just before half-time.
The introduction of Stokes at the break – for only her second appearance – proved a game-changer for Swansea Uni as the 18-year-old scored a 22-minute hat-trick before adding her fourth goal late on as Dan Sheehan’s side claimed a fifth consecutive victory.
Cwmbran Celtic missed the chance to reclaim top spot after conceding late in a 1-0 defeat on home turf against Cascade.
Celtic, still coming to terms with the departure of top scorer Jade Crofts to Briton Ferry Llansawel, struggled for potency and were dealt a sucker punch in the second minute of stoppage time as Anny Lewis snatched all three points for Cascade.
Cascade are now only three points off top spot, as are Penybont who won 5-1 at home against bottom-of-the-table Llanelli Town.
Bont cruised into a three-goal lead in the first half after Mollie Jones scored either side of captain Maddie Priday’s strike. The hosts were kept at bay for most of the second half, but Priday then completed a brace of her own to make it 4-0 in the 81st minute.
An own goal from Maisy Fahey-Pennell saw Llanelli get on the scoresheet, but Layla Williams completed the scoring for Bont in their fourth consecutive league win.
Genero Adran Premier results
Briton Ferry Llansawel P-P Barry Town United
Cardiff City A-A Aberystwyth Town
Swansea City P-P Wrexham
The New Saints 5-0 Cardiff Met
Genero Adran North results
Bangor P-P Connah’s Quay Nomads
Flint Town United 1-4 Llanfair United
Llandudno P-P NFA
Rhyl 1879 P-P Felinheli
Genero Adran South results
Cascade 1-0 Cwmbran Celtic
Penybont 5-1 Llanelli Town
Swansea University 5-1 Caldicot Town
