Match Preview: Cardiff Met vs ATFC

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Aberystwyth Town
Tuesday 20th September
Nathaniel MG Cup (Round 3)
7.45pm KO
 
ATFC travel south to the capital tonight, for what is fast becoming one of the club’s most played fixtures. Aber Manager Anthony Williams only left the students in the summer, but this will be the third time he has faced his former team in only 4 months since his appointment at Aberystwyth University Park Avenue.
 
So far, it is one win each, with Aber triumphing 1-0 in a pre-season friendly at Park Avenue, before Met won 4-0 on their return visit in the league. The teams were familiar foes last season as well, facing each other no less than 6 times, with Met victorious on 4 occasions, Aber winning one and the other resulting in a draw.
 
Met reached the 3rd round by defeating Newtown 2-1 at Cyncoed Campus back on the 7th August, thanks to goals from Eliot Evans and Harry Owen. The previous evening, ATFC had beaten Llanidloes Town by the same scoreline with Phil Perry & Steff Davies on target at Park Avenue.
 
The teams come into this fixture having had contrasting results over the weekend. ATFC recorded an impressive victory over much-fancied Connahs Quay Nomads, whilst Met were on the wrong end of a dominant performance by The New Saints, who hit the students for 7 at Cyncoed.
 
Despite Saturday’s result, Met have made a strong start to the season and currently sit in 4th place in the Cymru Premier, with 4 wins from Ryan Jenkins first 6 games as Manager, since he took over from former Seasider Christian Edwards in the summer.
 
Jenkins squad remains largely the same as the one he inherited from Edwards, with familiar names such as Kyle McCarthy, Emlyn Lewis and former ATFC loanee Tom Price all still with the club. Club stalwart Eliot Evans remains a key player on the pitch, but his influence now stretches to the dugout also following his appointment as Player / Coach.
 
Cyncoed Campus can be found on Cyncoed Road, Cardiff and the postcode is CF23 6XD. Parking is available on campus in the form of a Pay & Display car park. Tickets are priced at £7 for Adults, £4 for Concessions & £3 for Students (£2 for Students of Cardiff Met Uni). Another cup tie under the lights awaits!