Cyncoed 1-4 Cardiff Metropolitan: Schupbach nets brace as departure is announced
Madison Schupbach scored twice in her final appearance as Cardiff Met beat Cyncoed Ladies 4-1 at the USW Sport Park.
Madison Schupbach’s first half brace followed by goals from Robyn Pinder and Aimee Dagnall saw Cardiff Met take home all three points from their WPWL fixture, whilst Cyncoed’s Kirstie Pervin-Davies scored a consolation free kick for the home side.
Having moved into second place on goal difference last week, Cardiff Met’s victory this weekend saw the team move three points ahead of third place Cardiff City, whilst adding vital goals to their goal tally.
For Cyncoed, the result has no effect on their standings in the league which leaves them in sixth position and four points ahead of the foot of the table.
The Archers showed desire from the first whistle and were rewarded in the first two minutes when Pinder chased down Mighty Oaks keeper, Soper, who’s clearance ricocheted to Schupbach who made no mistake with her high strike.
Met kept the pressure on the home team, forcing keeper Poppy Soper into a series of decent saves in the space of five minutes. Best of all was a point-blank stop from a Lauren Townsend shot from only ten yards out.
Cyncoed fought their way back into the game though, as striker Lauryn Lyons continuously tormented the Met line with her pace and persistence which lead to a slack Met pass across their defensive line, a late challenge by Grace Corne and a subsequent Cyncoed free kick, 20 yards out.
Kirstie Pervin-Davies took the opportunity to level the game, slotting her strike into the bottom right corner past Smith.
It only took Met five minutes to regain their lead once more, as the Pinder to Schupbach strike force combined again.
Pinder’s pass cut through the Cyncoed backline, finding the feet of Schupbach who made no mistake in slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Refusing to take their foot off the gas, Cardiff Met captain Pinder found the net for herself as she picked the ball up on the right-wing, drove towards the box and placed a left-footed shot past Soper.
The second half saw breaks for both teams with Met’s winger Alexis Rienks shooting wide, as well as Cyncoed’s Lyons making a breakthrough the back line. Nothing came of the chances though and the game remained up for grabs for both sides.
Met’s substitute defender Ffion Llewellyn stood strong in a fifty-fifty challenge with Lyons before she moved the ball onto winger Lucy Finch whose shot was saved.
The resulting corner found its way onto the head of Aimee Dagnall who stretched the archers lead to 4-1.
Cyncoed continued to fight to pull the game back, with winger Athina Varnava, in particular, causing trouble for Met’s defensive line, although with no end product.
The game ended at 4-1 to the archers, and although Met dominated the score line, the match itself showed some real promising moments from both sides.
Cardiff Met will now prepare for their FAW Women’s Cup quarter final match versus Cardiff City next weekend, whilst Cyncoed have almost a month to wait until their next league fixture when they host Briton Ferry on 1st March 2020.
Cyncoed Ladies: Poppy Soper, Millie Jones, Holly Broad (C), Caitlin Williams, Naomi Grant, Athina Varnava, Kirstie Pervin-Davies, Lauryn Lyons, Alison Witts, Ellie Tunney, Grace Morris
Goals: Kirstie Pervin-Davies 21’
Cardiff Metropolitan: Charlotte Smith, Alexis Rienks, Lucy Finch, Lucia Carpanini, Steph Turner, Grace Corne, Sophie Hancocks, Robyn Pinder (C), Madison Schupbach, Lauren Townsend, Aimee Dagnall
Goals: Madison Schupbach 1’, 26’, Robyn Pinder 31’, Aimee Dagnall 68’
(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)
