Cardiff Met 2-0 Briton Ferry Llanswel: Debutant Preece nets brace for Archers against sturdy Ferry

Cardiff Met closed in on a semi-final spot in the Welsh Premier Women’s League Cup after defeating Briton Ferry Llansawel 2-0 at Cyncoed Campus.

18-year-old forward Ellie Preece scored twice in her first game for Cardiff Met since moving from Bristol Ladies Union.

Kerry Harris’s side had to strike at the right times in their victory today after a defensive performance from Briton Ferry in a wet and windy game.

The match was fairly battled out and both sides could have both won it with plenty of chances for both teams. 

The first half was more entertaining with the weather than it was on the pitch as chances were at a few with shots going wide from both teams early on.

Lauren Hutton-Townsend struck the crossbar with a free-kick from distance in Met’s first meaningful opportunity.

Met were able to break the deadlock just over the half-hour mark through young forward Preece. Chloe O’Connor’s effort deflected to the path of Preece who struck home with a neat finish.

The rain cleared up ready for the second half and the game opened up from there with Briton Ferry having plenty of opportunities following the introduction of Caitlin Owen and Lowri Baker.

Owen then eventually came on for Briton Ferry as she and Baker made the teams attacks which nearly gave Briton Ferry an equaliser as Owen went down the right flank but no connection from Baker was found.

Baker and Owen gave Ferry some life in attack as they looked to reward the defence for their efforts. 

They almost levelled too as Baker tried to chip substiute goalkeeper Estelle Randall but her effort sailed wide of the post. 

After weathering the wave of attacks from the visitors, Met had their own attacking opportunities.

Sophie Hancocks forced Courtney Young into a stop after trying to place her effort into the corner. Moments later, a chipped cross from Stephanie Turner almost caused problems but an Archers shirt was unable to get on the back post.

The deciding moment of the game came from a fast-moving counter-attack from Cardiff Met as they ran home their advantage.

Preece scored her second goal of the game as she finished brilliantly from outside of the box to earn her side the victory.

Cardiff Met: Charlotte Smith (Estelle Randall, 67), Ellie Finneran, Grace Corne, Stephanie Turner, Lauren Hutton-Townsend, Sophie Hancocks, Chloe O’Connor, Ellie Richards (Hannah Davies 83) , Jodie Passmore, Amy Long, Ellie Preece

Goals: Ellie Preece 35, 90′

Briton Ferry: Courtney Young, Anna Doble, Anya Welch, Renee Day, Nia Davies (C), Ela Roberts (Lowri Baker 57) , Megan Kearle (Rebeca Rees 76), Alice Broadley, Lani Hogben, Alexsie Clayton, Jessica Pascoe (Caitlin Owen 66)

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(Featured Image: Carl Robertson)