Cardiff City suffered defeat on the opening day of a league season for the first time in five years as The New Saints earned a memorable 1-0 win over the Genero Adran Premier champions at Park Hall.Â
The Bluebirds created numerous chances in the first half with Lily Billingham, Mackenzie Olden and Fiona Barry all shooting narrowly wide.
However, the Saints came out a much-improved side after the break and rewarded with the opening goal just before the hour mark. Cardiff goalkeeper Ceryn Chamberlain failed to control a back pass from Nieve Jenkins, allowing Chantelle Teare to capitalise and poke into an empty net.
The champions pushed for an equaliser, but some resilient defending from the hosts helped secure a statement victory and a winning start for new manager Jodie Williams.
Wrexham produced a superb comeback to triumph 5-2 away at Briton Ferry Llansawel in Jenny Sugarman’s first match in charge.
Ferry also changed bosses in the summer as Rhys Thomas replaced Rhys James, and they made a stunning start to the contest as goals from Jade Crofts and Megan Kearle earned a 2-0 lead inside 32 minutes.
However, Wrexham halved the deficit in first half stoppage time thanks to a stunning long-range strike from debutant Mariam Mahmood, while they were level two minutes after the break as Ava Suckley headed home from Carra Jones’ corner. The turnaround was complete just before the hour mark when Katie Barker also scored on her debut by sending a low effort past Courtney Young.
Rosie Hughes came off the bench to score in the 79th minute, tucking away the rebound after Barker’s effort hit the post, before Nat Clark completed the scoring three minutes later with a close-range finish amid a scramble in the box.
Yzzy Taylor made the perfect start to life as permanent boss of Swansea City as her side secured a comfortable 4-0 win over Barry Town United at Jenner Park.
The Swans made a lightning start to the contest as Chloe Chivers scored a stunning free-kick from distance with just two minutes on the clock.
Barry nearly levelled the contest as Sienna Stone hit the woodwork, but the hosts were reduced to 10 players on 23 minutes as goalkeeper Molly Arnesen was shown a straight red card for a foul on Aimee Deacon.
Chivers doubled her and the Swans’ tally just after the hour mark as Stacey John’s clever dummy allowed the midfielder to fire into the bottom corner from Deacon’s cross, while John added her name to the scoresheet in the 73rd minute with a clinical finish. Substitute Emily Richards wrapped things up by tapping home in the midst of a goalmouth scramble late on.
Pontypridd United’s return to the Genero Adran Premier ended in defeat as Aberystwyth Town earned a 2-0 victory at USW Sports Park.
Teenager Modlen Gwynne found the breakthrough for the Seasiders four minutes before half-time as she sent a low drive into the bottom corner.
Carys Bufton then gave the visitors daylight midway through the second half with her neat first time finish from Lily Moralee Hughes’ pinpoint cross as new Aber managed Rhys Jon James made a winning start to life at the helm.
Genero Adran Premier results
Barry Town United 0-4 Swansea City
Briton Ferry Llansawel 2-5 Wrexham
Pontypridd United 0-2 Aberystwyth Town
The New Saints 1-0 Cardiff City
