Cwmbran Celtic Women ended a highly successful 2024 in first place at the halfway stage of the Adran League South. This was after they finished 3rd in the 2023/24 league. In the South Wales FA Cup, they surrendered the trophy they won the previous season by an agonising loss to Cascade YC on penalties in the quarter final after conceding an equaliser in the 5th minute of time added on. Their only league defeat in 2024 in last season’s campaign was a narrow 2-1 defeat against champions Briton Ferry – a great performance considering they lost 6-0 and 10-0 earlier in the season. Captain Elosie Meaney and striker Jade Crofts were chosen for the League Team of the Season.
For the 2024/25 season manager James Kinsella recruited goalkeeper Amie Preston from Kidderminster Harriers, midfielder Katie Willams from Pontypridd and Lauren Boyd returned after several years away at Abergavenny and Cascade and what a difference all three made to the Celtic squad. Amie showed her class in the Adran Trophy against Premier League Wrexham with three fabulous saves including one which I described in my match report as matching Gordon Banks’s save against Brazil in the 1970 World Cup. Katie fitted seamlessly into centre midfield and currently has the most assists (5) in the league. Lauren has been sublime on the left flank scoring 11 goals in 11 games.
A new recruit in January was Summer Bowen-Quirk from Cardiff City U19s. She played in all 18 games during 2024 showing her versatility whether at full back or in midfield. A big plus has been the ability to field a settled side week in week out. Centre backs Talia Shwartz and Elena Scrivens form a solid centre back pairing, Amy Roderick at full back was picked by James Kinsella as his player of last season. Sian Anthony and Keeley Perkins provide capable cover in defence. On the right flank, Cerys Shipley was an ever-present – scoring four goals.
Celtic’s three longest-serving players, Jodie Challenger, Eloise Meaney and Fiona Anthony along with Georgia Shwartz and Katie Williams form a power-house midfield ensuring that forward players Lauren Boyd and striker Jade Crofts have plenty of chances to show their goalscoring prowess. Jade shows uncanny awareness in front of goal. Her positioning and her skilful close ball control contributed in no small measure to her ending the year as top Adran goal-scorer with 24 goals in League, Trophy and Welsh cup games. Lauren Boyd was 2nd with 16 goals which included 5 for Cascade last season.
Celtic and Pontypridd are currently leading the chase for the league title. They have played two fantastic games so far, Celtic wining 5-4 in the Adran Trophy, and Pontypridd winning 4-3 in the league.
