Cardiff Metropolitan 5-0 Cardiff City: five-star Met ease past Bluebirds

Cardiff Metropolitan gained their second successive 5-0 win as they were victorious over city-rivals Cardiff City.

Goals from Chloe O’Connor, Shannon Evans and Jodie Passmore gave Met their fifth win of the season as they continue their perfect start.

An impressive defensive display means the hosts gained their fourth clean sheet of the season, as they’ve only conceded one so far.

Both sides started lively and a couple of strong challenges in the first five minutes set the pace for the rest of the game.

The Archers’ attacking-midfielder Chloe O’Connor was a handful from the start, with her quick feet and agility proving to cause problems for the opposition.

Following her inspiring performance last time out, O’Connor broke the deadlock for the hosts in the 14^th minute when her right-footed shot from the left curled into the bottom corner. The goal marks a four-game scoring streak.

City reacted well to the goal, as lengthier spells of possession helped them settle into the game better.

Nealy Martin helped the Students play from the back as her composure and passing ability allowed Met to keep the ball well.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 32^nd minute as Lucy Finch displayed her flair on the left-hand side before providing an inch-perfect cross for Shannon Evans who converted. The goal meant the ex-Cardiff City striker has scored in all of her appearance for Met so far.

City almost replied swiftly as Phoebie Poole’s shot from the edge of the box was denied by a remarkable save from Charlotte Smith. The Bluebirds thought they’d scored seconds later through Catherine Walsh but the goal was disallowed as she was offside.

Evans then doubled her tally before half-time as she kept her composure to slot home after being played through by Amy Long.

Met made it four just minutes later as substitute Jodie Passmore headed home from close following an Ellie Finneran cross.

Evans was denied of her hat-trick just before the half, as her shot from inside the box was excellently saved by Charlotte Hastings.

The hosts added another ten minutes into the second half as Passmore got her second after she reacted first to a Hastings save before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Poole came close to getting one back for the visitors on the hour mark. She won a header from a corner but couldn’t direct the ball on target.

City were next to come close again as Danielle Green’s deflected shot from range forced Smith into a dramatic save as she tipped the ball wide of the post.

Passmore almost got her hat-trick off the bench 77^th minute as her shot from range was almost fumbled into the back of the net.

Poole was denied of a consolation by the woodwork when her effort from outside the box bounced off the underside of the crossbar before being collected by Smith.

Cardiff Metropolitan: Charlotte Smith, Ellie Finneran, Nealy Martin, Stephanie Turner, Erin Murray (Jodie Passmore, 21), Amy Long, Sophie Hancocks, Chloe O’Connor, Shannon Evans (Kennesha Nanette, 72), Emily Richards (Emilia Baker 86), Lucy Finch.

Goals: Chloe O’Connor 14, Shannon Evans 32, 38, Jodie Passmore 42, 55.

Cardiff City: Charlotte Hastings, Ffion Price, Hannah Daley (Lisa Owen, 45), Siobhan Walsh (C), Kanisha Underdown, Danielle Broadhurst (Mikayla Cook, 52), Danielle Green, Phoebe Poole, Catherine Walsh, Zoe Atkins (Brooke Evans, 88), Cerys Pinchard.

Yellow Card: Catherine Walsh 47′

See how the game played out here:

(Featured Image: Elisio Williams)