Cardiff Metropolitan University continued their blistering start to the season with an emphatic 8-0 victory over Aberystwyth Town in the Welsh Premier Women’s League Cup.
The Archers put in a rampant first-half display, with a double from Lauren Hutton-Townsend, along with strikes from Stephanie Turner, Lucy Finch and Jodie Passmore.
In the second-half, Kerry Harris’ side added to their lead with substitute Kennesha Nanette’s clinical finish, along with Passmore’s second goal of the game and Chloe O’Connor’s late strike.
The victory is the Archers’ six win of the season, maintaining a 100% record so far this campaign.
Despite a battling performance, Aberystwyth Town succumbed to their fourth defeat of the season and are yet to record a point in their league or cup campaign.
The Archers came out of the blocks quickly and applied early pressure on the visitors.
With four minutes played, Kerry Harris’ side took the lead as the referee awarded a penalty for an adjudged pull-back in the box.
Cardiff Metropolitan winger Lauren Hutton-Townsend dispatched the penalty for her fourth goal of the season.
The hosts could have gone further ahead when Amy Long was fouled on the edge of the box.
Playmaker Chloe O’Connor, who has made an impressive start to the season, fired narrowly over.
O’Connor was again involved as the Archers went close to a second, heading narrowly wide, following a delivery from the right.
Kerry Harris’ side weren’t to be denied however, as Sophie Hancocks’ corner fell into the path of centre-back Stephanie Turner, who fired home to double the advantage.
Cardiff Metropolitan were clinical as they have been all season and netted a swift third.
O’Connor played Lucy Finch through on the left, who cut inside and beat Ffion Ashman at the far post.
The hosts added a fourth just five minutes later, with Amy Long the provider this time. The winger’s cross was perfect for Jodie Passmore to emphatically fire past Ashman in the Aberystwyth goal.
Aberystwyth continued to battle and tried to play the ball out of defence at every opportunity.
As the Seasiders tried to keep possession of the ball, a tame pass by goalkeeper Ashman allowed Hutton-Townsend to pounce for her second of the game.
Cardiff Metropolitan continued to control possession in the second-half and could have gone further ahead early after the break.
Chloe O’Connor got in-behind the Seasiders defence, but her chipped effort flew narrowly over the bar.
Aberystwyth Town could have had a penalty in the 55th minute, as Caryl Evans went down in the box. The protests were waived away by the referee.
Cardiff Metropolitan winger, Lauren Hutton-Townsend, looking for her hat-trick, was found free at the back post, but was denied by a fine save from Ffion Ashman.
The Seasiders had a positive spell mid-way through the second-half and could have reduced the deficit when Kelly Thomas headed narrowly wide from a corner.
Kerry Harris’ side were again clinical however, as substitute Kennesha Nanette was found free on the edge of the box and clinically fired last Ashman to add a sixth.
With just five minutes to play, the Archers added to their lead, as Amy Long squared for Jodie Passmore to grab her second, before Chloe O’Connor turned home from close range to add an eighth goal for the hosts.
Despite her first-half mistake, the scoreline would certainly have been even heavier had it not been for the performance of the Aberystwyth Town goalkeeper.
The shot-stopper denied Amy Long and Lauren Hutton-Townsend late-on with a string of fine saves.
Both sides return to league action next week, as Cardiff Metropolitan travel to Swansea City and Aberystwyth Town face a trip to Cardiff City.
Cardiff Metropolitan: Charlotte Smith (Jess Rees, 78), Ellena Finneran (Grace Corne, 58), Nealy Martin, Stephanie Turner, Amy Long, Sophie Hancocks, Chloe O’Connor, Jodie Passmore, Lauren Hutton-Townsend, Emily Richards (Kanesha Nanette 68), Lucy Finch
Goals: Lauren Hutton-Townsend p 4, 43, Stephanie Turner 23, Lucy Finch 27, Jodie Passmore 31, 86, Kanesha Nanette 73, Chloe O’Connor 88′
Aberystwyth Town: Ffion Ashman, Bethan Roberts, Kelly Thomas, Caroline Cooper, Libby Isaac, Caryl Evans, Flavia Jenkins (Niamh Duggan, 56), Josie Pugh, Hannah Pusey, Alaw Davies (Lucie Gwilt, 64), Eloise Jenkins (Catrin Evans, 64)
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(Featured Image: Carl Robertson)
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