Cardiff City 2-2 Cardiff Metropolitan: Archers claw back twice in end-to-end draw

Cardiff Metropolitan twice came from behind as Cardiff City forced them into settling for a 2-2 draw in the Welsh Premier Women’s League.

A superb goal from Phoebie Poole and an unfortunate own goal from Grace Corne gave City the lead on two separate occasions. 

Corne equalised first, with Ellie Preece equalising second, in an entertaining affair at Leckwith Stadium.

Met miss ground on the chance to overtake league leaders Swansea City meanwhile the Bluebirds remain in fifth spot with the result.

Archers midfielder Amy Long found space on the right early on, but her cross was cleared by Hannah Daley.

Met’s high pressing was prominent from early on, with Shannon Evans and Robyn Pinder pressing from the front. 

City broke away for the first time with Zoe Atkins on the right-hand side. Her low-driven cross was met by Stephanie Turner who cleared. 

Both sides defended superbly in the opening half hour, with the lack of chances showcasing their defensive capabilities. 

The first shot of the game came five minutes prior to halftime. Cardiff Met’s Long struck from range, but her shot went wide of the post. 

Minutes later, City had their first attempt. Phoebie Poole fired wide after being played in behind on the counter attack.

Poole opened the scoring for the Bluebirds early in the second half. She converted from a near-impossible angle on the right-hand side, and the ball smashed off the inside of the near post and into the back of the net.

Met equalised minutes later, as Corne converted with a looping header from a Pinder free-kick from the right. 

Shannon Evans headed over from close after rising highest from a corner. 

The Bluebirds took the lead again just after the hour mark, when, seven minutes after equalising, Archer defender Corne was unfortunate when her back-pass beat Charlotte Smith in goal and bounced into her own net. 

Jasmine Simpson came close to doubling the deficit, but her shot from the left-hand side was saved fairly comfortably by Smith. 

Almost identically, Simpson forced another save out of Smith minutes later.

Less than one minute after having a goal-bound effort cleared off the line, Preece equalised with a lofting shot from the right. 

Poole almost doubled her tally when her effort – destined for the front post – was saved well by Smith.

From the resulting corner, Siobhan Walsh’s header from close was cleared off the line by Lucy Finch.

Preece superbly rounded Ceryn Chamberlain late on, but fired wide from close range. 

City could have grabbed a late winner, but Poole’s pass to Simpson was over-played.

Cardiff City: Charlotte Hastings (Ceryn Chamberlain 46’) , Lisa Owen, Ffion Price, Hannah Daley, Siobhan Walsh (C), Kanisha Underdown (Sophie Norman 82’), Danielle Broadhurst, Jasmine Simpson, Phoebie Poole, Catherine Walsh, Zoe Atkins (Danielle Green 46’)

Goals: Phoebie Poole (48’), Grace Corne O.G (63’)

Cardiff Metropolitan: Charlotte Smith, Lucy Finch, Stephanie Turner (C), Hannah Mills, Sophie Hancocks, Amy Long, Grace Corne, Amber Roberts (Elianna Chavez 46’), Shannon Evans (Ellie Preece 63’), Lauren Hutton-Townsend, Robyn Pinder.

Goals: Grace Corne (54’), Ellie Preece (72’)

Catch up with the action here:

(Featured Image: Chwarae Sports Agency/Lewis Mitchell/FAW)