Match Report: Aberystwyth Town 2 Cardiff Met 5

Nathaniel MG Cup Round Three
Tuesday 21st September
Aberystwyth Town 2 Cardiff Met 5

Aberystwyth Town lost their Nathaniel Cup Third Round tie at home to Cardiff Met last night by two goal to five, in an entertaining match which ultimately provided a very disappointing outcome for the men in Black and Green. Emlyn Lewis and Dan Warre both scored twice for Met, with Liam Warman adding a fifth, while Matty Jones and Jonathan Evans retorted for the Ceredigion side.

Aber’s starting XI was injury affected, with no fewer than five absentees, and indeed Cardiff Met started the game very strongly, attacking down both wings with gusto and a purpose which Town could not match. Joey Evans blasted wide early on but Liam Warman down the right and Dan Warre down the left were probing, and Warman sent in a dangerous cross which almost dropped into the net. Louis Bradford headed Matty Jones’ free kick wide, but then at the other end Warman won a corner, Kyle McCarthy sent it across and the ball was nodded back for Aber’s bete noir Emlyn Lewis to convert from close range just ten minutes in. The visitors were dominant with Aber struggling to create any decent chances, although Owain Jones did show some trickery before his low shot was blocked for a corner. Then on 32 minutes stand in striker Lewis Rees picked out Warre with a cross ball, and the left winger turned and fired home to double the lead. Aber had an effort deflected over for a corner, and then Steff Davies headed wide, and despite a series of corners for the home team it was Warre again who popped up at the other end to score a 44th minute third. Jonathan Evans headed a Matty Jones corner over but in truth the Met were good value for a 0-3 lead after a very disappointing half from the Black and Greens.

Credit to the Seasiders, they did give a much improved showing in the second half. On 49 minutes, under the amber light of a waxing moon, Matty Jones raised thoughts of an unlikely comeback when his brilliant free kick kissed in off the near post, and it was game on. Visiting keeper Alex Lang had to be replaced by Max Manson after sustaining an injury, Owain Jones volleyed wide and sub Rhys Davies fired a shot wide. Just as it looked like the comeback might be on however, Davies received a straight red card for a 73rd minute challenge, and the Seasiders’ odds grew longer again. Three minutes later Lewis volleyed home Met’s fourth goal from a corner and the game was surely done. Lewis volleyed over from another corner, but then with just ten minutes left Matty Jones’ free kick into the area was fumbled by Manson, and Jonathan Evans snaffled up a second goal in two games with a low drive. Bradford headed wide from another Matty Jones corner, and when eight minutes of injury time was shown the hosts dreamed again. They were lucky to escape a three on one when Adam Roscrow saw his shot blocked, but at the other end Owen Orford’s excellent right wing cross almost sneaked in. Orford had another shot blocked for a corner but then Met broke away in the 99th minute and a crazy game ended with Warman netting the visitors’ fifth goal with a low drive, to bring an end to a Bad Night at the Office for Antonio Corbsiero’s men.

Aber did at least show some fight in the second half and threatened a recovery, however a three goal home defeat is never pleasant, and Town will have to play much better on Saturday afternoon to make it through their Welsh Cup Third Round tie at home to Cefn Druids. Kick off is at 2.30pm.