The Genero Adran Trophy reaches the knockout stage this weekend, as the eight Genero Adran Premier clubs are paired up against the eight teams to have progressed from the group stage.
Holders Cardiff City – who triumphed 5-1 over Swansea City in last season’s final – begin their defence of the trophy with a trip to Connah’s Quay Nomads. The Bluebirds come into the game as current Genero Adran Premier leaders following back-to-back wins over Aberystwyth Town and Barry Town United in the last fortnight.
Connah’s Quay Nomads boss Jordan Parry will no doubt be looking forward to this tie, as he expressed his wish to test himself against Cardiff City after his side earned maximum points in the group stage. The Nomads have also claimed three wins from three games in the Genero Adran North so far this season.
Flint Town United also earned maximum points in the group stage – on their debut in the competition – and their reward is a trip to Barry Town United in the round of 16.
The Silkwomen claimed their first ever win in the Genero Adran North last weekend with a 5-0 home victory against NFA under new boss Oli Williams, while forward Jennifer Haynes finished as the top scorer in the group stage of this competition with six goals.
Barry’s defeat to Cardiff City last weekend was their first since the opening day of the season, but they will be hoping to bounce back and reach the quarter-finals of the Genero Adran Trophy for the first time since 2021.
Penybont have also enjoyed a dream debut in the Genero Adran Trophy, winning all three of their group matches – including over current Genero Adran South leaders Pontypridd United.
Rhys Thomas’ side will be looking to build on those results and their 2-0 league win over Cascade last weekend, when they visit Briton Ferry Llansawel on Sunday.
The Reds lost for the first time this season when they were beaten 3-0 away at Wrexham last weekend and they are aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time after three consecutive round of 16 defeats.
Last season’s runners-up Swansea City begin their campaign this time around with a home tie against Llanfair United of the Genero Adran North.
The Swans earned their biggest league victory of the season last weekend as Aimee Deacon’s hat-trick inspired them to a 4-0 triumph over Cardiff Met. They are aiming to win the Genero Adran Trophy for the first time since 2021.
Group stage wins over Felinheli and Rhyl 1879 earned Llanfair a place in the knockout stage for the very first time, while they have also started well in the Genero Adran North as they sit third in the table sit with six points from three games.
After a tricky start to the season, Wrexham have started to find form with a pair of 3-0 wins over Cardiff Met and Briton Ferry Llansawel in their last two league games.
Steve Dale’s side begin their Genero Adran Trophy campaign with a trip to Cwmbran Celtic, who sit second in the Genero Adran South after a 4-3 defeat to Pontypridd United last weekend.
Celtic failed to register a point in their group last season, but after qualifying for the knockout stage for the first time they will hope to stun their Hollywood visitors. Forward Jade Crofts scored six goals in the group stage – no one netted more.
Current Genero Adran North leaders Llandudno were the top scorers in the group stage with 14 goals from three games and they will hope to cause an upset in the round of 16 when they host top-flight strugglers Aberystwyth Town.
Llandudno recorded one of the most memorable results from a second tier side at this stage of the competition when they won 2-1 over Swansea City in 2022/23.
Aber have just a point to their name from seven matches in the Genero Adran Premier this season, but they have reached the semi-finals of this competition in each of the last three campaigns.
Cardiff Met will also be hoping the Genero Adran Trophy provides some respite when they make the trip Cascade. The Archers currently sit bottom of the Genero Adran Premier with just one point, while they were also knocked out of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup by Barry Town United three weeks ago.
After missing out on a place in the knockout stage last year, Cascade are back in the round of 16 after Anny Lewis’ first half goal proved enough to secure a 1-0 win over Swansea University in the final group stage match to earn second place in Group 3.
There could be potential for a shock in Ystrad Mynach, as Cascade have not lost at home in 2024 and Met have only won twice away.
Genero Adran Premier high-flyers The New Saints face a trip south as they head to Caldicot Town in the round of 16.
Shauna Duffy’s side have lost just once in all competitions this season and won 1-0 over Aberystwyth Town last weekend to maintain second place in the Genero Adran Premier table. The Saints have reached the semi-finals of this competition in each of the last three seasons.
Caldicot are in the knockout stage for the first time in three years after topping Group 3 with six points, while they picked up their first league win of the season last weekend by triumphing 2-0 over Llanelli Town.
