Cardiff Metropolitan 0-1 Aberystwyth Town: Lacklustre Met knocked out of Nathaniel MG Cup by Aberystwyth

Holders Cardiff Metropolitan were made to rue their missed opportunities as a lacklustre display saw them knocked out of the Nathaniel MG Cup by Aberystwyth Town. 

Matthew Jones’ first half strike was enough to separate the sides on an evening when the hosts were out of sorts in front of goal.

Archers boss Christian Edwards had made changes to the side which won away at Bala on Saturday, but saw his team put in a below-par performance at a sodden Cyncoed Campus.

The Black and Greens have endured a difficult start to their Cymru Premier campaign, but defended resolutely here and will have eyes on a cup run to provide them with momentum for the league.

The visitors had little to shout about in the opening exchanges, a free-kick just outside the area their only real chance of note.

Aberystwyth’s on-loan goalkeeper Connor Roberts produced a fine save to deny Dion Phillips, after the forward’s shot from inside the area looked destined to ripple the net.

Kyle McCarthy’s ball into the box found Dan Spencer, whose flicked header from inside the area was straight at Roberts.

Having soaked up everything the Archers threw at them in the first half, Matthew Bishop’s side took the lead against the run of play when Jones fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area; leaving Alex Lang with no chance.

The Students went close to levelling just before half-time when midfielder Mael Davies put a ball across goal for Spencer, however, despite getting a touch, he saw his effort roll narrowly wide of the left post.

The hosts appealed for a goal when Joe Evans’ header resulted in a goalmouth scramble, with Charlie Corsby competing for the ball and getting a touch, only for the officials to rule that the ball had not crossed the goal-line.

Aber could have doubled their lead when a pinpoint free-kick on the right side found Lee Jenkins at the back post, the defender was unmarked and should have done better with his header.

Forward Dion Phillips’ frustrating evening continued when he saw another chance go begging. After receiving the ball inside the penalty area, he looked set to take a shot which would have troubled Roberts, however a sharp clearance denied him the chance to do so.

With time running out for Met to find an equaliser, they appealed for a penalty, claiming that the ball had struck the hand of an Aber player after Corsby’s bicycle kick.

Edwards’ side pushed hard to find a leveller late on, but were unable to break down an organised Aber defence.

Cardiff Metropolitan: Alex Lang, Kyle McCarthy, Bradley Woolridge, Mael Davies (Guto Williams 68′), Charlie Corsby, Dan Spencer, Joel Edwards, Joe Evans, Rhydian Morgan (Owen Taylor 85′), David Thomas (Liam Warman 61′), Dion Phillips

Substitutes: Dan Evans, Guto Williams, Samuel Pashen, Matt Chubb,

Aberystwyth Town: Connor Roberts, Ryan Wollacott, Paulo Mendes, Marc Williams, Edmilson Vaz, Lee Jenkins, Matthew Jones, Richard Ricketts, Alexander Boss, Tom Price, Joe Phillips

Substitutes: Alex Pennock, Luke Boundford, Stuart Jones

(Featured image: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD)