Cardiff Metropolitan 1-0 Aberystwyth Town: Students seal playoff spot with a narrow win
Cardiff Metropolitan will participate in their third consecutive Europa League play-off after narrowly beating Aberystwyth Town.
A win for the Archers was needed to secure a spot with a game to go. They beat nearest placed Aberystwyth Town to qualify for the play-offs.
The Archers have reached the last two finals but have lost out on both occasions. They will be away for both the semi-final and he final should they progress.
A goal which will have to be decided by the Welsh Premier League’s dubious goals committee is one Met will be thankful for. Adam Roscrow will lay claim to the goal but it looked like an own goal from Declan Walker.
Roscrow, Eliot and Will Evans all had chances to add to the score but Terry McCormick was in inspired form helping keep the score down as the Met made it to the Play Offs with one game to spare.
Town came into the game unbeaten in their last five since overcoming Christian Edwards’s men at Park Avenue in February but it was Chris Baker who almost handed the Met a dream start after 20 seconds. A long ball down field was picked up by Baker who got himself into the penalty area but saw his strike hit the foot of the post and go out for a corner.
Christian Edwards’s men went close again through Eliot Evans. With Will Evans being bought down on around 25 yards from goal the Wales C international fizzed free-kick inches over the bar.
Met took the lead via an own goal from Aber’s Declan Walker. A lovely run down from the left from Kyle McCarthy put in a great low delivery inside the penalty area. Roscrow was on hand to meet it and deftly hit it towards the goal, slowly crossing the line via a deflection.
Ashley Ruane could have equalised moments later when a fantastic first time ball from Geoff Keleaway found the forward but he could only see his shot saved well by Will Fuller.
From the resulting passage of play Roscrow found himself one on one with McCormick and looked destined to make it his and his side’s second but the goalkeeper stood tall and kept out the strikers effort.
Will Evans was next to go close after good work from Dylan Rees found the chest of Evans who on his second touch half volleyed it towards goal but Aberystwyth’s McCormick was quick of his line and saved well with his legs.
Adam Roscrow’s early second-half effort was superbly saved by McCormick with the rebound coming into the path of Baker but the Aberystwyth defence remained firm and resolute as the ball goes out for a goal kick.
Will Fuller made a good save from Kellaway after good work from Ruane on the edge of the box.
The Archers held on for the victory and will can now rest ahead of next week’s final day fixture against Llanelli Town.
Cardiff Met: Will Fuller, Rees, McCarthy, Woolridge (C), Lewis, Eliot Evans, Baker, Roscrow, Will Evans, Williams and Morgan
Aberystwyth Town: McCormick, Baynes, Edwards, Wollacott, Kellaway, Mendes, Williams, Walker (C), Jenkins, Jones and Ruane (McDaid, 64)
Attendance: 206
