Cardiff Met Women ready for promotion play-off after Genero Adran South title win

Cardiff Met Women will look to complete an immediate return to the Genero Adran Premier this weekend when they face Connah’s Quay Nomads in the Genero Adran Leagues Promotion Play-Off. LIVE ONLINE

The Archers head to Park Avenue on Sunday for a 14:30 kick-off, with one game standing between them and a place back in the top flight of Welsh women’s football.

After suffering relegation from the Genero Adran Premier last season, Met have responded in impressive fashion. Under manager Jonathan Nash, the side won the Genero Adran South title, losing just once across the league campaign and finishing the season with momentum after a comeback win over Pure Swansea on the final day.

That result also saw the squad lift the Genero Adran South trophy, but attention has quickly turned to the final challenge of the season. Captain Olivia Barnes believes the group are ready for the occasion.

“The girls are feeling confident,” said Barnes. “We’ve worked hard in training over the last few weeks and I think we’re just looking forward to it now. The trophy lift after the Pure Swansea game, we allowed ourselves time to celebrate that and winning the league, and then you go back into training the following week and focus on the next steps. We always wanted to finish strong, and I think Pure Swansea we really just wanted that win for the atmosphere of the group. It was massive to win that game.”

Sunday’s fixture also carries added significance for the Archers, with Park Avenue the venue where Cardiff Met’s relegation from the Genero Adran Premier was confirmed last season following defeat to Aberystwyth Town. Now, the same ground provides the chance to close that chapter and secure promotion.

“Park Avenue is a tough place to go regardless of the opposition,” Barnes added. “The girls were probably looking at the venue thinking that we’ve got a point to prove. It’s such a big fixture for us and obviously the location is massive in that. It’s a challenge like any other game, but it is a big full circle moment.”

Connah’s Quay Nomads will provide a stern test, having won their league for the second consecutive season. They also know the play-off stage well, after narrowly missing out on promotion last year in a 3-2 defeat to Pontypridd United.

Barnes expects a difficult contest.

“They have experience in this type of game, they know the occasion,” she said. “I don’t doubt for one minute that they’re going to be ready and prepared for this.

“It’s going to be a tough fixture. To get to this position again, you’ve got to have something about you to win the league back-to-back like that. We’re ready for a fight.”

For Cardiff Met, the play-off represents the final step in a season built on resilience, consistency and belief. Following the disappointment of last year, Nash’s squad have rebuilt quickly and put themselves within touching distance of a return to the highest level.

Barnes said promotion would mean a huge amount to the group.

“It would be unbelievable,” she said. “It’s such an honour to captain this side. There’s some great players in this side and some young players coming through, so to be that leader on the field, it’s an honour.

“After everything these girls have been through, to be part of the side that goes back up would be huge.”

Cardiff Met face Connah’s Quay Nomads in the Genero Adran Leagues Promotion Play-Off at Park Avenue on Sunday, 26 April, with kick-off at 14:30. Watch the action Live.