Cardiff Metropolitan University and The New Saints continued their steady start to the season with an exciting draw at Cyncoed Campus.
The result means that The Archers have gone top the league table for the first time this season. The home side put up a ferocious fight in front of around 350 spectators, and they gained a reward for their efforts with a point.
The Met captain Bradley Woolridge headed the ball off the line after an in swinging free kick met the head of Blane Hudson on the 4th minute.
Chris Baker headed wide on the 14th minute after meeting a well-placed corner; it was a decent opportunity to break the deadlock.
Wes Fletcher hit the ball off the base of the post after he met a beautifully placed cross from Jamie Mullan on the 17th minute. He should have scored and the frustration of his manager, Scott Ruscoe illustrated that.
The Archer’s desperation began to reveal itself after a couple of attempts were either skied or blocked.
After 26 minutes, Eliot Evans gave the ball away and Fletcher blasted the ball over the bar in away team’s second-best opportunity of the night.
It was Charlie Corsby who got The Met’s first shot on target after 33 minutes, although it did not give the goalkeeper a great challenge.
It was only 3 minutes later that Adam Roscrow gave forced the keeper to pull out a strong save. The Cyncoed Campus side were getting close and they continued to press with energy and passion in a hunt for the opening goal.
The second half began with The Archers substituting off Jordan Lam for Will Evans. It didn’t prove effective as The Saints began to dominate the game, and push for a crucial three points.
Their chance came on the 56th minute when Fletcher blasted a shot towards goal from inside the area, however it was crucially blocked by Emlyn Lewis.
The Met were struggling and scrapped to defend as their opponents proceeded with waves of attack; a goal was coming.
On the 63rd minute Joel Edwards came off injured and he was replaced by Dan Spencer; it was an indication that the home side were drained.
Adrian Cieslewicz fizzled a shot that bobbled just wide of the post on the 69th minute, and it was a sigh of relief for The Archers.
Just 5 minutes later, Fletcher added to The Saints tally of missed attempts on goal as they continued to be incapable of finishing sitters.
Adam Roscrow came off for Gwlon Howell on the 76th minute, and The Met seemed to find some energy as they began to attack again for a short period of time.
The New Saints were on a mission to win the match and they sent the home side into defensive mode again.
That was until the 86th minute when Howell hit a shot that looked likely to go in, and some of the home support went into raptures before they realised that Paul Harrison had made an expert save.
The last kick of the game was a free-kick on the edge of the box that Christian Seargeant put over the bar.
The Saints players held their hands in their heads in disappointment before they headed for the changing rooms as they were unable to break down the Archers defence.
The Met took away a brilliant result and it gives them great confidence heading into their game away to Connah’s Quay Nomads FC next Saturday.
Tonight’s man of the match is Bradley Woolridge for his impressive defensive efforts and ability to command the defence which lead them to keep a clean sheet.
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