Cardiff Met 0-2 Connah’s Quay Nomads – Michael Bakare stars as Nomads move up to second with win in Welsh Capital

Connah’s Quay Nomads proved too clinical for Cardiff Met as they defeated the Archers at Cyncoed Campus to move into second-place in the JD Welsh Premier League.

Goals from Michael Bakare and Jay Owen secured the three points for Andy Morison’s men as they moved above Bala Town in the table.

It means that it is now just one loss in eight games in all competitions for the Nomads. Met, on the other hand, remain in fifth place following the loss.

The students have failed to record a victory so far in phase two, following two straight losses to Bangor City and Connah’s Quay Nomads, respectively.

It was the visitors who started the better in blistery conditions in the Welsh capital, with winger Declan Poole looking bright on the right-hand side, as his dangerous looking cross was headed behind inside the first five minutes by Met’s Aaron James.

Michael Bakare, playing on the opposite wing then played in a delicious looking cross from the right-hand side, which Will Fuller had to punch away to clear any danger as the game remained goalless.

Bakare was continuing to look menacing down that right-hand side, as he found some space, before drilling in a shot which was comfortably saved by Fuller in the Archers goals.

The Nomads were certainly the more threatening in the opening exchanges as Bakare forced Fuller to make a save low down to his right, which was followed up by Callum Morris, but his header was excellently cleared off the line by Joel Edwards.

The pressure eventually paid off for the Nomads as Bakare finished expertly low into the bottom left-hand corner, beyond Fuller’s reach to put the Nomads in the ascendancy – he was booked following his fine finish after punching the corner flag.

The ball was played in from Jay Owen, which originally came from Declan Poole’s in-swinging corner, which Met failed to get clear as the visitors deservedly took the lead at Cyncoed Campus.

Met failed to really get going in the first-half and that was credit to the visitors, who were well organised throughout the first-half as Andy Morison’s side took a slender lead going in at the break.

The students started the second-half more bright, with intent as Dan Spencer combined with Adam Roscrow, as Spencer eventually got a shot away, which faded wide of John Danby’s goals.

In a half of few chances, James was allowed to scamper forward for the hosts, but his effort was blazed wide following a speculative effort from just outside the penalty area.

However, the visitors extended their lead as Jay Owen coolly slotted home in the 59th minute to Fuller’s left-hand side after Ben Bowler cheaply gave away possession for the students.

Following their second goal, Nomads were very much relaxed as Met were reduced from firing from range as James tried his luck again as his effort went well wide.

Met pushed hard to try to get back in the game and introduced both Harry Hope and Elliot Evans, but it was Joel Edwards who had their best chance to get back in the game, but his header narrowly missed the target.

Met striker Adam Roscrow was then shown a straight red after appearing to say something to the referee as the Nomads came away from South Wales with all three points following an assured display in what was a bitterly cold afternoon in the Welsh capital.

Man of The Match (Micheal Bakare)

A fine display from the wide-man, who excellently finished low into the bottom left-hand corner beyond Fuller to give the Nomads the lead in the first-half as he flourished.

His presence was a constant menace for the Met back-line, who struggled to cope with Bakare’s pace and tenacity throughout.

Cardiff Met: Fuller, Rees, Edwards, McCarthy, James, Bowler, Corsby, Baker, Roscrow, W. Evans, Spencer

Subs: E. Evans, Barnett, Hope, Lam, Morgan, D. Evans

Connah’s Quay Nomads: Danby, Edwards, Horan, Pearson, Smith, Harrison, Poole, Morris, Owen, Bakare, Wilde

Subs: Spittle, Wignall, Owens, Woolfe, Phillips

(Featured image: NCM Media)