JD Welsh Premier League
Saturday 9th September
Aberystwyth Town 0 Cardiff Met 2
Two deflected goals, from Joel Edwards (32 minutes) and an own goal from Jon McKenna (65 minutes) were enough to confirm Cardiff Met's victory at Park Avenue this afternoon, after a difficult task for the Black and Greens had been made even tougher by Joe Culshaw's sixth minute dismissal.
Bolstered by the return of strikers Craig Hobson, John Owen and Luke Borrelli, Aber looked to make a positive start, but Manager Neville Powell's plans were thrown into disarray when Culshaw's reckless tackle on Kyle McCarthy earned the left back a straight red card with barely five minutes on the clock. Chris Baker fired over for the visitors but a tactical switch to move Kellaway and Owen up front improved Aber's game immensely and they went on to enjoy a purple patch from the quarter hour mark. Kellaway surged down the left but his cross just eluded Owen, before the selfsame Kellaway saw a near range lob tipped over by Will Fuller. Ryan Wollacott then headed just wide from Cledan Davies' corner, before Kellaway again surged to feed Owen who narrowly missed the target, ruffling the side netting instead. With Met's passing going astray Aber looked to be on top and Fuller again had to punch a rasping shot from Declan Walker wide, before palming on Owen cross to safety. As in previous games however the hosts were punished for failing to convert, as Met came back into things. Adam Roscrow curled a shot wide, Elliot Evans sent a free kick straight at Chris Mullock, and then disaster struck as impressive left back Edwards surged into the Aber box and his left wing cross was deflected past Mullock for a soft opener which was harsh on the hosts. The goal changed the game with Jordan Lam dancing past two home defenders before finding the side netting, Evans hitting the post and McCarthy missing from close range, and the Black and Greens were probably glad to hear the half time whistle having battled hard with ten men to make a game of it.
The hosts created the first chance of the second half as Ashley Young released Kellaway, who burst forward before sending a low effort past the post. With Aber imposing a high press on the visitors defence things were looking hopeful and an even period ensued, with Evans twice denied by Mullock before Kellaway's goalbound back header drew an amazing tip over from Fuller, with home supporters howling for a penalty after an Aber player appeared to be hauled to the ground in the box. With the match in the balance the hosts were again punished as another soft cross from the right wing was deflected past Mullock by McKenna to double Met's advantage and kill the game. Borrelli brought yet another save from Fuller with a sweet volley, but back came Met with Adam Roscrow twice going close. Having made three subs Aber's nightmare day was completed as John Owen hobbled off to reduce Town to nine men, and from here they did well not to concede further, with Mullock denying Charlie Corsby and Evans again in injury time.
Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Aber this afternoon, and they will be hoping for better luck in front of goal, and elsewhere on the pitch, next week as they travel to Latham Park to face Newtown on Saturday 16th September (ko 2.30pm). Keep the faith!
Saturday 9th September
Aberystwyth Town 0 Cardiff Met 2
Two deflected goals, from Joel Edwards (32 minutes) and an own goal from Jon McKenna (65 minutes) were enough to confirm Cardiff Met's victory at Park Avenue this afternoon, after a difficult task for the Black and Greens had been made even tougher by Joe Culshaw's sixth minute dismissal.
Bolstered by the return of strikers Craig Hobson, John Owen and Luke Borrelli, Aber looked to make a positive start, but Manager Neville Powell's plans were thrown into disarray when Culshaw's reckless tackle on Kyle McCarthy earned the left back a straight red card with barely five minutes on the clock. Chris Baker fired over for the visitors but a tactical switch to move Kellaway and Owen up front improved Aber's game immensely and they went on to enjoy a purple patch from the quarter hour mark. Kellaway surged down the left but his cross just eluded Owen, before the selfsame Kellaway saw a near range lob tipped over by Will Fuller. Ryan Wollacott then headed just wide from Cledan Davies' corner, before Kellaway again surged to feed Owen who narrowly missed the target, ruffling the side netting instead. With Met's passing going astray Aber looked to be on top and Fuller again had to punch a rasping shot from Declan Walker wide, before palming on Owen cross to safety. As in previous games however the hosts were punished for failing to convert, as Met came back into things. Adam Roscrow curled a shot wide, Elliot Evans sent a free kick straight at Chris Mullock, and then disaster struck as impressive left back Edwards surged into the Aber box and his left wing cross was deflected past Mullock for a soft opener which was harsh on the hosts. The goal changed the game with Jordan Lam dancing past two home defenders before finding the side netting, Evans hitting the post and McCarthy missing from close range, and the Black and Greens were probably glad to hear the half time whistle having battled hard with ten men to make a game of it.
The hosts created the first chance of the second half as Ashley Young released Kellaway, who burst forward before sending a low effort past the post. With Aber imposing a high press on the visitors defence things were looking hopeful and an even period ensued, with Evans twice denied by Mullock before Kellaway's goalbound back header drew an amazing tip over from Fuller, with home supporters howling for a penalty after an Aber player appeared to be hauled to the ground in the box. With the match in the balance the hosts were again punished as another soft cross from the right wing was deflected past Mullock by McKenna to double Met's advantage and kill the game. Borrelli brought yet another save from Fuller with a sweet volley, but back came Met with Adam Roscrow twice going close. Having made three subs Aber's nightmare day was completed as John Owen hobbled off to reduce Town to nine men, and from here they did well not to concede further, with Mullock denying Charlie Corsby and Evans again in injury time.
Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Aber this afternoon, and they will be hoping for better luck in front of goal, and elsewhere on the pitch, next week as they travel to Latham Park to face Newtown on Saturday 16th September (ko 2.30pm). Keep the faith!
