The Archers celebrate their goal against Newtown on the weekend. (Will Cheshire)
Cardiff Metropolitan ended Carmarthen Town’s Nathaniel MG Cup hopes at Cyncoed Campus this Tuesday evening, as goals from Rhys Thomas, Chris Baker and Tim Parker sent the Archers on their way to a 3-1 win.
The home side got off to the worst possible start in the 10th minute. Luke Bowen found himself through on goal with no-one around him, and the Old Gold striker kept his cool to fire the ball into the top-right corner of the net.
Christian Edwards’ side were soon back on level terms, however. Wing-back Dylan Rees found himself free on the right-hand side of the area, he struck a low effort that was well-saved by stopper Lee Idzi, but Rhys Thomas was first to react and buried the rebound.
Cardiff Met nearly took the lead soon after in the 21st minute, when midfielder Ben Bowler’s effort was cleared off the line by the well-placed Lewis Baldwin.
Tyrrell Webbe was particularly active on the night and looked to use his pace and physique to get past the Met defence.
Making a great run down the left-hand side, Webbe floated the ball towards Bowen on the edge of the area, who struck a sweet volley towards the right-side of keeper Max Manson.
The stopper was equal to the effort, but Carmarthen were slowly utilising their possession on the ball more effectively.
Eliot Evans came closest soon after for Met, as a quick shot with his back to goal was on target, but it proved to be little trouble for keeper Idzi.
The hosts took the lead just before the break. Rhydian Morgan whipped in a cross from the left, and Baker lost his to marker to sneak in and poke his effort into the left corner.
In a more subdued second period, neither side were able to stamp their mark on the game. The Archers could not pull away, whilst Carmarthen failed to craft enough goal-scoring opportunities.
It took until the 67th minute for the first notable chance of the second half to arrive, and it fell to the home side.
A clearance deflected off Eliot Evans, and was bundled towards Tim Parker who was in space.The substitute smacked an first time effort towards the goal from the edge of the area, but once again Idzi was not troubled.
Carmarthen’s first real opportunity came in the 77th minute, after a horrible mistake from Kyle McCarthy gifted Luke Bowen a glorious chance on goal.The forward’s effort was well saved low down by Max Manson, who had to react quickly after the initial effort.
Sean Hanbury was bearing down upon goal looking for the equaliser, but the stopper got back well to deny the visitors once more.
The Students looked to put the game to bed soon after, as substitute Adam Roscrow, who was playing in his first game back after injury, squared the ball to Will Evans in the middle of the box, but his outstretched effort was blazed high and wide over the bar.
If they could not capitalise there, they should have done so moments later.
Cardiff Met had earned themselves a penalty in the last five minutes of the game, with Roscrow stepping up on his return and Lee Surman also seeing red for a poor challenge.
The striker blazed his effort high over the bar however, as he could not close out the tie in what would have been the perfect return to action.
Roscrow was involved throughout when coming off the bench, and redeemed himself at the death.
The forward found himself in space within the area, squaring it to Tim Parker who slotted home to send the Archers through to the next round of the Nathaniel MG Cup.
(Featured image: Will Cheshire)
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