The 2024/25 Genero Adran Trophy gets under way this weekend with the first round of group stage fixtures.
Reigning Genero Adran North champions Llandudno begin the group stage with a home fixture against NFA.
Billy Fuller has replaced Jordan Hadaway as Seasiders boss this summer and he got off to a flying start with a 6-1 win over Kinmel Bay in the NWCFA Cup last weekend.
Llandudno have won all four of their previous meetings with NFA, scoring a stunning 29 goals along the way.
NFA only managed to register one point in the group stage last season, but Niall McGuinness’ team finished fifth in their debut campaign in the Genero Adran North and will hope to build on that.
The other match in Group 1 sees Bangor host a Connah’s Quay Nomads side who have reached the Genero Adran Trophy knockout stage in each of the last two seasons.
Jordan Parry’s side achieved maximum points in their group in 2023/24 alongside a second place finish in the league, while they have recruited well this summer with the additions of teenagers Keira Hardstaff, Natasha Spearing and Nicole Samson.
The Nomads have reached the knockout stage of this competition every season since its formation and last season, they achieved maximum points in their group.
Bangor failed to win any of their group matches last season, but started the new campaign with a 3-0 win over Llanystumdwy in the NWCFA Cup a fortnight ago.
The Nomads won both league meetings between the two sides last season, including a 4-1 triumph at the Bangor City Stadium.
There is a debut in the Genero Adran Trophy for Flint Town United in Group 2, after they stormed to the NWWFL title last season.
The Silkwomen won all 12 of their matches to lift the trophy, so they will certainly feel ready to make their mark in the second tier.
They kick off the group stage by hosting Llanfair United, who will be aiming to reach the knockout stage for the first time after a sixth place finish in the Genero Adran North last season.
Last season’s quarter-finalists Felinheli host Rhyl 1879 in Group 2’s other match on Sunday afternoon.
It was an impressive campaign for Aaron Jones-Evans’ side as they also finished third in the Genero Adran North table and lost only three of their 14 league games.
Rhyl were last season’s fourth-place team in the Genero Adran North and finished the season unbeaten in their last three games – including a win over second-place Connah’s Quay Nomads. The Lilywhites have progressed from the group stage in this competition in each of the last two years.
Felinheli won both of the league meetings between the two sides last season, including a 6-1 triumph at Cae Seilo as Nel Huws scored a hat-trick.
Swansea University caused the biggest upset in last season’s Genero Adran Trophy by defeating Pontypridd United on penalties in the round of 16.
Dan Sheehan’s team begin the group stage this time around with an away trip to Stebonheath Park to face Llanelli Town.
The Reds have been busy bolstering their squad over the summer as they attempt to build on a fifth-place finish in their debut Genero South campaign.
Swansea Uni won both league meetings last season, including a 5-0 triumph on the final day of the campaign.
The other fixture in Group 3 sees Caldicot Town and Cascade face off at Jubilee Way.
The two sides had contrasting league campaigns last season with Cascade achieving another impressive second-placed finish while Caldicot finished sixth.
However, Cascade failed to make it out of their group in this competition so will be targeting the knockout stage this time around.
Cascade have an impressive record against Caldicot, having won eight out of the nine previous meetings between the two sides, including a 4-0 victory in the 2022/23 group stage of this competition.
Penybont will make their debut in the competition when they travel to Cwmbran Celtic in Group 4.
Bont were promoted to the second tier following their second-place finish in the SWWGL last season, which saw them go unbeaten in 14 out of 16 matches.
Celtic achieved an impressive third-place finish in their debut Genero Adran South campaign last term, but lost all three group matches in the Genero Adran Trophy.
The two sides last met in the quarter-final of the SWWGL Alun Evans League Cup in 2023, when Cwmbran Celtic triumphed 6-0.
Wildcard entrant Cambrian United kick off their group stage campaign with a home clash against Pontypridd United.
Pontardawe Town’s withdrawal from the competition meant the Cam Army were selected as a wildcard. Sophie Dando’s side will compete in the SWWGL this season after promotion from the fourth tier in 2023/24.
However, second tier opposition may not get much tougher than Pontypridd United who were relegated from the Genero Adran Premier last season so are therefore competing in the group stage of this competition for the first time.
