Match Report: ATFC 1-0 Cardiff Met

Aber’s third pre-season game saw the visit of manager Anthony Williams' former club - fellow Cymru Premier side Cardiff Metropolitan University, now managed by Ryan Jenkins following former Seasider Christian Edwards’ decision to step down at the end of last season.

Players and fans alike would have been pleased that the game was played in much cooler temperatures than those experienced throughout the country earlier in the week with conditions at Park Avenue comfortable at kick off.

Aber started the match with two trialists - one in goal and one at centre back. The familiar faces of Jack Rimmer, Jack Thorn, Sam Phillips and Steff Davies also began the match and new signings Sam Litchfield, Phil Perry, Iwan Lewis, Niall Flint & Charley Edge completed the line up.

The first half was largely uneventful with neither side having any clear cut chances during the opening half hour. 

On 42 mins, a long throw from Jack Thorn caused problems in the Met box which resulted in a handball. Summer signing Niall Flint stepped up to take the resulting penalty and netted with a firm shot to the keepers left. 

Anthony Williams made no changes at the break and the second half continued much the same as the first, with both sides working hard and passing the ball well, but largely cancelling each other out. 

Met got themselves in some dangerous positions as the half progressed, with Sam Litchfield and Jack Thorn doing well to block long range shots. 

With around ten minutes to go, there were loud claims from Met’s players for a penalty, in similar circumstances to that that led to Aber’s in the first half, but these were waved away by the officials.

On 83 minutes, Met made eight changes to their team, but one of these substitutions would only be involved in the action for three minutes as he received a straight red card on 86 minutes - presumably for dissent. 

Harri Horwood, Jonathan Evans, Dan Owen & Jamie Jones all made appearances off the bench during the second half and Evans came close to doubling Aber’s lead with a couple of minutes to go - his header going narrowly over.

Next up for Aber is the visit of Merthyr Town to Park Avenue next Saturday, for the final pre-season friendly of 2022. The competitive action starts the following week with a Nathaniel MG Cup tie - the draw for which is this coming Monday (25th).