Cardiff Metropolitan 2-1 Flint Town United : Rees wonder strike gave Edwards’ side all three points
Cardiff Metropolitan pick up their first home win of the season in a feisty-affair with Flint Town United
Second-half goals from Dylan Rees and Ollie Hulbert ended Cardiff Met’s four-game losing streak.
Despite a lively first half and a consolation goal from Callum Bratley, Flint Town United lost their fifth game on the bounce.
Both sides started lively with an early yellow card for both teams setting the pace for the game.
The first chance of the game fell to the visitors as Rob Hughes looked to catch Alex Lang off his line. The goalkeeper reacted well and saved the shot with relative ease.
Hughes carried on his energetic start with another chance in the eighth minute. His left-footed shot from the right went just wide of the far post.
Kyle McCarthy almost put the Archers in front in the 19th minute when his effort from the edge of the box was tipped onto the post by Aaron Jones. The goal may not have stood, however, as Ben Maher was on the floor with a head injury.
Flint Town had a claim for a penalty eight minutes later when Alex Jones was seemingly brought down in the box but the referee decided it didn’t warrant a penalty.
Harry Warwick failed to convert in the 32nd minute when he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Aaron Jones did exceptionally well to prevent the striker from taking the lead.
Alex Jones’ flair was on display just before half-time as he drove at the hosts’ defence before having a shot deflected out for a corner.
Dylan Rees gave the Students the lead just after half-time when his sensational shot from range flew into the bottom left corner to beat Aaron Jones.
Ollie Hulbert doubled the lead for Met just four minutes later with a cultured finish after Warwick counter-attacked at speed.
The lead was almost extended further when Warwick was played through on goal where he had space to attack the goalkeeper. Instead, the striker tried to chip Aaron Jones from a long way out and his effort went over the crossbar.
Ben Nash thought he got one back for Flint when he scored with a volley around the hour mark but the goal was disallowed as the defender was offside.
Substitute Connor Harwood almost made an instant impact for the Silkmen as he had a shot in the box which was blocked and put out for a corner.
Callum Bratley got one back for Flint as he converted with his head from a Rob Hughes corner in the 72nd minute.
McCarthy almost secured the three points for the hosts in the 79th minute as he was found free in the box. His acrobatic attempt from close flew over the bar.
Hulbert came close to doubling his tally in the 90th minute but his shot from inside the box was saved by Jones.
Despite late pressure by the visitors, they were unable to equalise as they travel back north with nothing to show.
Cardiff Metropolitan: Alex Lang, Dylan Rees, Kyle McCarthy, Brad Woolridge (C), Harry Warwick (Harri Harwood 67′), Charlie Corsby, Ollie Hulbert, Joe Evans, Rhydian Morgan, Liam Warman, Liam Black.
Goals: Dylan Rees 48′, Ollie Hulbert 52′
Flint Town United: Aaron Jones, Sam Hart, Nathan Craig (Les Davies, 44), (Connor Harwood, 63), Ben Nash, Kai Edwards, Rob Hughes (Mark Cadwallader 79′), Richie Foulkes (C), Alex Jones, Callum Bratley, Joe Palmer, Ben Maher.
Goals: Callum Bratley (72′)
This is how the game played out at Cyncoed Campus today:
