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JD Welsh Premier League
Sunday 11th November Cardiff Met 2-3 Aberystwyth Town Aberystwyth Town secured one of their most memorable victories in recent times as they came from two goals down to win 3-2 against Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Campus on Sunday afternoon. The Seasiders went into the half time break two goals behind, with goals from Will Evans (7) and Sam Snaith (35) putting the hosts well in control. But an inspired second half performance saw Aber pull a goal back through Declan Walker (66), before a late equaliser from Ryan Wollacott (85) looked to have earned the visitors a point until substitute Ashley Ruane smashed the ball into the top corner of the net in the fifth minute of stoppage time to seal all three points, and ensure Aber strengthened their grip on 6th place in the league table. Manager Nev Powell made one change to the starting eleven that beat The New Saints at Park Avenue last weekend, with young central defender Lee Jenkins coming in to replace Jack Rimmer. Hosts Cardiff Met started the game brightly, attacking on the front foot and scoring with their first meaningful shot of the game in the 7th minute, as Will Evans picked up a loose ball and cut inside before firing beyond Terry McCormick to make it 1-0. The early goal seemed to kick Aber into life, as they began to edge their way into the game with winger Joe Phillips starting to get some joy down the left flank against Met's Emlyn Lewis. On 18 minutes, Phillips cut inside before curling a right footed effort just wide of keeper Alex Lang's post. Very few clear cut chances followed during the opening 35 minutes, with Cardiff Met relying on long throw-ins and direct balls over the top to create their best opportunities, and Aber failing to produce many passages of play in the final third to threaten an equaliser. Then, on 35 minutes, the hosts doubled their lead as Adam Roscrow latched on to a pass on the right flank before crossing for Sam Snaith, who headed the ball beyond McCormick into the net to make it 2-0. It was a disappointing blow for the black and greens who struggled to find their way back into the game before the break and went in two goals behind. Manager Nev Powell and Assistant Manager Gavin Allen shuffled the pack at half time, with Ashley Ruane and Alan Goodall replacing Geoff Kellaway and Lee Jenkins as Aber switched formation in search of a way back into the game. From the outset there was an increased tempo and rhythm to the black and greens' play, with strike partners Rio Ahmadi and Ruane providing an added presence and Ryan Edwards giving extra width from the left. On 58 minutes, Wes Baynes tried his luck from long range but his right footed effort sailed over the bar, before Paulo Mendes replaced Steff Edwards in the final throw of the dice. Then on 66 minutes, Aber found a way back into the game as Ruane skipped past Lewis inside the penalty area before providing a deep cross for captain Declan Walker to head the ball beyond Lang to make it 2-1. The travelling supporters raised their voices as they sensed their team clawing their way back into the game, and the Seasiders moved into another gear with 20 minutes remaining - camping themselves in the Cardiff Met half and dominating possession. On 70 minutes, Mathew Jones tried his luck with an audacious bicycle kick that tested Lang, before Ruane smashed a curling effort straight at the Met keeper as the pressure continued to rise. As the game entered the final moments, the black and greens sensed it was time to go for broke, as they earned a corner kick after some neat interplay between Edwards and Ahmadi. Wes Baynes swung in an inviting corner kick which Lang failed to deal with, and Ryan Wollacott was on hand to tap the ball into the net to make it 2-2 and get Aber back on level terms. Many would have thought that after coming from two goals down, the visitors would settle for the draw, but instead they continued to push for the winner as the Archers clung on by their fingernails. On 87 minutes, Met substitute Rhys Thomas crashed into Alan Goodall with a late challenge and received his marching orders as he was issued a second yellow card. With 90 minutes up, the fourth official indicated a minimum of 3 minutes added time, and the Green Army sensed there may be one more moment of magic left in the game for Aber. In the fifth minute of additional time, Baynes played a ball forwards towards Ahmadi, who's flick on landed right in the path of Ashley Ruane, who took one touch and buried a shot into the top corner of the net to spark scenes of chaos amongst the away fans as Aber snatched all three points in the very last seconds. It was a truly remarkable turnaround from Nev Powell's side, who looked well out of the game at half time. Inspired substitutions and a change in formation sparked a phenomenal second half performance in which the visitors had Cardiff Met, notorious for their excellent home form, camped inside their own half. The victory means Aber stay 6th in the league table, and climb to within just six points of joint league leaders Connah's Quay Nomads and Barry Town United. The Seasiders face another tough away test next Saturday as they travel to face Bala Town at Maes Tegid, looking to continue their four-game winning streak. Teams: Cardiff Met: Lang, Edwards, Woolridge, Lewis, Morgan, McCarthy, Baker, W Evans, E Evans (80), Roscrow (71) Snaith (84). Subs: Owen (84), Thomas (71), Neale, Flay, Black, Williams (80), Manson. Aberystwyth Town: McCormick, Baynes, Wollacott, Jenkins (45), S Edwards (65), Jones, Walker, R Edwards, Phillips, Kellaway (45), Ahmadi. Subs: Goodall (45), Rimmer, Mendes (65), Blake, Ruane (45), Morgan Attendance: 256 Comments are closed.
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Gem Nesaf
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