Llandudno made a flying start to the Genero Adran Trophy group stage with a 9-1 home win over NFA on Sunday.
The Seasiders wasted no time at the Go Goodwins Stadium as Kelsey Davies and Rebecca Jarvis-Evans both scored hat-tricks to open up a six-goal lead after just 28 minutes played.
NFA got on the scoresheet before half-time through Molly Brown’s calmly converted penalty, but her goal was only a consolation as further second half strikes from Llandudno substitutes Sioned Phillips, Angharad Jones and Mollie Roberts capped off a scintillating win for Billy Fuller’s side.
Connah’s Quay Nomads were also emphatic winners in Group 1 as they triumphed 6-0 away to Bangor 1876.
A first half double from new Nomads captain Polly Wild-McGregor got things rolling for the visitors before teenager Keira Hardstaff added a third early in the second half with a debut goal.
The Nomads’ goalscoring fun did not stop there as clinical strikes from substitute Alisha Whitehead-Hughes and star forward Phoebe Ellis made it five. Wild-McGregor completed her hat-trick six minutes before the final whistle to give her side the perfect start to their new domestic campaign.
In Group 2, competition debutants Flint Town United secured a thrilling 4-3 win over Llanfair United at the Essity Stadium.
Both sides traded blows in the opening 18 minutes as Ruby McGilllway’s stunning strike for Flint was cancelled out by Liann Richards.
The Silkwomen restored their lead through teenager India Howarth just after the half hour mark, but were pegged back once more as Llanfair forward Sophie Cook equalised for her side.
Jennifer Haynes put Flint ahead moments after the restart, but Cook quickly made it three apiece with her second goal of the afternoon. However, Flint were able to edge back in front when Haynes headed home from Ruby Hastings’ cross to grab her brace and give her side a vital three points.
Last season’s quarter-finalists Felinheli also began strongly in Group 2 as Aaron Jones-Evans’ side secured a 1-0 win over Rhyl at Cae Seilo.
The decisive moment arrived just before the hour mark as Jenna Allsup produced a neat finish from Llywela Edwards’ cross to claim her second goal of the season.
Caldicot Town staged a stunning second half comeback to claim a 5-1 victory over Cascade in Group 3 as Rianne Jones bagged a hat-trick at Jubilee Way.
There was only one goal in the first half as Cascade opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Olivia Townsend, but Caldicot summer signing Kennesha Nanette missed two penalties in the space of three minutes.
The hosts eventually found their goalscoring touch in the second half as a quickfire brace from Jones turned the match on its head. Captain Millie Pearce added a third before an own goal from Melissa James put the game to bed in stoppage time. Things got even better for the home side when Jones completed her hat-trick in the closing stages.
Swansea University, who were quarter-finalists in this competition last season, were held to a 1-1 draw at Llanelli Town in the other fixture in Group 3.
Nadia Phillips gave Llanelli the lead on 54 minutes as the striker produced a neat finish from just inside the area. However, the Reds were unable to hold onto their advantage as Ellie Raggett popped up five minutes from time to earn the Swans a point.
Pontypridd United began their season in style with an impressive 4-0 win over wildcard entrant Cambrian United in Group 4.
The Dragons got off to a dream start at the M&P Group 3G as goals from teenagers Sophie McMullen and Lauren Payne opened up a two-goal lead after just 16 minutes played.
Ponty built on their dominant first half display and added two more goals in the second half as Nicole Fenton and Caitlin Seaborne both found the net to wrap up a convincing win.
Penybont were also victorious in Group 4 as they earned a 3-2 win away to Cwmbran Celtic.
Bont were promoted to the Genero Adran South following their SWWGL title success last season, and Rhys Thomas’ side instantly made their presence in the second tier known as strikes from Mikaela Wood and Edie Evans gave them a two-goal lead inside just 16 minutes.
Lauren Boyd quickly halved the deficit for Celtic, but Bont restored their two-goal cushion through Maddie Priday, whose calmly converted penalty came to the delight of the captain as she had missed another spot kick earlier in the second half.
Jade Crofts gave Celtic a lifeline in the 65th minute, but the visitors were able to hold on to claim an impressive three points.
Weekend results in full:
Group 1
Bangor 0-6 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Llandudno 9-1 NFA
Group 2
Felinheli 1-0 Rhyl 1879
Flint Town United 4-3 Llanfair United
Group 3
Caldicot Town 5-1 Cascade
Llanelli Town 1-1 Swansea University
Group 4
Cambrian United 0-4 Pontypridd United
Cwmbran Celtic 2-3 Penybont
