Cardiff Metropolitan 1-1 Penybont: Archers concede late again as Bont battle back to earn deserved point

by Tom Pritchard at Cyncoed Campus

Cardiff Metropolitan suffered more late heartbreak as substitute Kostya Georgievsky netted a stoppage time equaliser to earn Penybont a deserved point.

The Archers, who had the better of the first-half, went ahead when Will Evans tapped in from close range for his fifth goal of the season.

But Rhys Griffiths’ side battled back after the break, keeping themselves in the game before striking the killer blow with just minutes left to play.

The sixth-placed Students were unable to replicate their first-half showing in the face of a strong wind, as they missed out on the opportunity to open up a five-point advantage over Newtown.

This is the third time this season that Met have conceded a goal in the 90th minute, adding to previous late lapses against The New Saints and Connah’s Quay Nomads.

Christian Edwards’ team began well, with Mael Davies’ inviting ball into the area causing issues for the visitors, as goalkeeper Rhys Wilson made a sharp reaction save when team-mate Mikey George diverted the ball towards his own goal.

The rain was considerable in the opening half an hour, but both sides appeared happy to keep the ball on the floor and Emlyn Lewis had to be alert to clear inside his own box with Penybont left-back Kane Owen lurking.

Eliot Evans found namesake Will with a delicious cross from the right. The latter should have done better with his header from inside the area.

Just moments later, he found himself on the scoresheet.

A fast, flowing move from the Archers created space for Jordan Lam on the left side, the winger shot first time and saw his effort parried by Lewis, but only into the path of Evans who was rewarded for following up as he tapped in to put his team ahead.

Owen – always a threat from free-kicks – almost brought his side level when his curling effort forced a good save from Will Fuller.

Chris Baker, the Cardiff Metropolitan midfielder, was in the thick of the action for much of the first half, and should have added a second for his side when his header from just yards out was gathered by Lewis, when the stopper should really have been troubled.

The Evans-Evans link continued into the second-half, and Will should have scored his second when Eliot delivered an excellent cross from the right which found him unmarked inside the area, however his volley – struck first time – was poorly timed and flew over the bar.

Eliot was the next to be involved, as his free-kick from just outside the area took a deflection which diverted it narrowly wide of the left post as the Students began to turn the screw.

Met’s slick and decisive passing – a key feature of their performance – crafted an opportunity for the bright-booted Davies, whose shot just evaded the left corner.

The Bont certainly grew into the game in the second period, but lacked a cutting edge in the final third despite some positive attacking play.

Penybont boss Griffiths brought himself on in the final 10 minutes as his team searched for a late leveller.

The former Llanelli Town striker – who netted over 200 goals in his playing career – was making his first Cymru Premier appearance since 2016, when he featured for Aberystwyth Town.

The KYMCO outfit pushed hard late on, and sent the travelling supporters into raptures when substitute Georgiesky tapped home from close range after a corner created havoc inside the box.

Griffiths’ side stuck to their task throughout the second-half, and a point was no less than they deserved as they move to within four points of Aberystwyth Town.

Both sides are now winless in six in all competitions, but the conclusion to this game means that only one team will have that record on their mind.

Cardiff Metropolitan: Will Fuller, Dylan Rees, Kyle McCarthy (C) (Joe Evans 69′), Emlyn Lewis, Mael Davies, Eliot Evans (Guto Williams 87′), Chris Baker, Will Evans, Charlie Corsby, Jordan Lam (Dion Phillips 84′), Joel Edwards

Substitutes not used: Alex Lang, Owen Taylor, Joe Bassett, Liam Warman

Pen-y-Bont: Rhys Wilson (C), Kane Owen, James Saddler, Cullen Kinsella (Luke Borrelli 61′), Curtis Hutson, Dan Jefferies, Matthew Harris, Dan Griffiths (Rhys Griffiths 81′), Owain Warlow, Mikey George (Kostya Georgievsky 75′), Keenan Patton

Substitutes not used: Brad Borge, Billy Borge

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(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)