(Image: Josh Thomas)
Cardiff Metropolitan taught promotion hopefuls Haverfordwest County a harsh lesson as they demolished the Bluebirds to reach the semi-finals of the League Cup.
Haverfordwest County, who are second in the Welsh Football League, were humbled by sixth-placed in the Welsh Premier League, Cardiff Metropolitan.
Adam Roscrow scored twice in the first half, with Tim Parker also securing a brace in the second half, with Eliot Evans and Sam Snaith also on the scoresheet to to make it two semi-finals in the last two years for Met.
Cardiff Metropolitan almost opened the scoring early on. Ian Black flicked a header at Hall’s goal, but it was a tame header.
The home side were then presented with a good opportunity after loose possession from Tom Dyson, but Baker’s through pass to Snaith was blocked by Alaric Jones.
Haverfordwest had their own opportunity through former Archer Elliot Scotcher. The midfielder hit a powerful free-kick at Lang’s goal, as the Met keeper tipped it over the bar.
The game was being played to a decent pace, as both sides worked towards the opposition goal.
Adam Roscrow almost opened his tally in the competition this season, as his shot went just wide of the post, after holding off the challenge of Pemberton. The Haverfordwest County skipper was almost on the scoresheet, as he headed just wide from a corner.
Met did have the opening just over the half-hour mark. An exquisite through ball from Will Evans to Adam Roscrow, allowed the Met front-man to flick the ball over Hall.
The lead was doubled not long after. Hall’s sliced clearance, fell to Roscrow who powered his effort into an empty net, to provide a two-goal advantage.
Haverfordwest had to withstand a barrage of Met attacks. Chris Baker’s shot from just outside the box was the latest effort, as Hall saved to keep his side in the game.
Met went into the break with a two-goal advantage but had to bring off right-back Dylan Rees as a precaution, with Rhydian Morgan replacing him.
(Image: Josh Thomas)
After a non-eventful start to the second half, Sam Snaith put Met further in front, as his close-ranged half-volley into the net.
Met talisman Eliot Evans booked his side’s place into the next round, as Sam Snaith set him up, Evans curled an effort into the corner of the goal, for a convincing lead.
Haverfordwest were continuously penned into their own half and Met were onto a rout. Substitute Tim Parker almost opened his account, after a good cross from Roscrow, Hall saved Parker’s shot from point-blank range.
Parker did open his account for Met on the night, as a cross was put in from Neale, the ball deflected from Parker’s head, to make it five.
Ben Fawcett tried to claw back a consolation goal for Haverfordwest, but Alex Lang was alert to his effort.
Parker doubled his tally for the evening, as Adam Roscrow beat the offside trap, to square it to Parker who tucked his finish past Hall.
Both Parker and Roscrow were denied chances for their hat-tricks, as Roscrow’s effort which was heading for the corner, was saved by Hall, before he claimed the ball at the feet of Parker, who was sniffing in the box for a rebound.
Lee Trundle almost scored a consolation goal, in what was a quiet game for the former Football League player, but Alex Lang collected his effort with ease. With no stoppage time played, the referee blew for full-time, as Cardiff Metropolitan were comfortable winners, booking their place in tomorrow’s semi-final draw.
Cardiff Metropolitan
Lang, Rees (Morgan 46), McCarthy, Woolridge (C), Lewis, E.Evans, Baker (Neale 73), Roscrow, W.Evans, Black, Snaith. (Parker 62)
Haverfordwest County
Hall, Watts, Luby, Pemberton (C), Jones, Dyson, Williams (Fawcett 69), Scotcher, Wilson (Thomas 62), Trundle, Palmer.
(Featured Image: Josh Thomas)
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