Cardiff Met put themselves back on track in their pursuit of the Welsh Premier Women’s League title with a comprehensive 4-2 victory over Abergavenny Women.
The Archers were keen to bounce back from their 2-2 draw with Cardiff City in midweek, and they did just that with a dominant performance against the Pennies.
Lucy Finch and Shannon Evans were on target in the first-half, before Sophie Hancocks and Emily Richards added gloss to the scoreline.
Lyndsey Davies netted a consolation goal for the visitors, along with a stoppage-time strike from Amy Williams to reduce the deficit, but ultimately their efforts were in vain.
Kerry Harris’ side remain within two points of league leaders Swansea City and move six clear of this afternoon’s opponents to narrow the race for the title.
In the opening stages, Evans was causing all sorts of problems for the away defence. She first forced Zara Pernalete to gather a low cross before driving a shot just wide of the post.
Abergavenny were compact at this stage, but had to allow Met to dominate possession as they tried to soak up the pressure.
A key chance fell to Chloe O’Connor as Lauren Hutton-Townsend split the organised back-four, but she fired her effort straight at the goalkeeper.
O’Connor later had an effort from outside the box, however Pernalete was alert to the danger.
Met made the breakthrough soon after, and it came in fine fashion. Finch let rip a strike from just outside the box and it deflected past the flat-footed keeper.
Evans was showing a real desire for a goal and she got her rewards. Hancocks put in a delicious cross at the second attempt, and the Met forwarded directed a bullet header into the goal.
Abergavenny did have a chance towards the end of the first-half. Williams carried the ball down the flank before sending her tight-angled shot just across goal.
They were then awarded a chance from the spot as Finch slid in on the pacy Eliza Atkins, who weaved her way into the box.
Mali Summers twice had the opportunity to score from the spot but, on both occasions, Annabel Sweeney, who was making her first start, outwitted the Abergavenny spot-kick taker.
Abergavenny had a chance to score early in the second-half. They opened up the home defence and Amy Thrupp hit a strike from close-range at Sweeney.
Met were undeterred by the early warning signs and were able to press home their advantage.
Hancocks was free at the back post after meeting a cross to her side and she prodded home.
Met then made it four as substitute Emily Richards showed composure to run the ball under the onrushing Pernalete.
Abergavenny later pulled one back as Davies scored from close-range after being picked out by Thrupp.
In stoppage time, they pulled a further goal back as youngster Williams scored her first league goal, beating the Met full-back before placing a low shot onto the post and into the net.
Cardiff Met: Annabel Sweeney, Grace Corne (Hannah Mills, 78), Stephanie Turner, Sophie Hancocks, Amy Long (Emily Richards, 54), Robyn Pinder, Chloe O’Connor, Shannon Evans, Lucy Finch (Elianna Chavez, 62), Amber Roberts, Lauren Hutton-Townsend.
Goals: Lucy Finch 19, Shannon Evans 40, Sophie Hancocks 48, Emily Richards 59′
Yellow Cards: Lucy Finch 41′
Abergavenny Women: Zara Mujica Pernalete, Sian Bull (Megan Jones, 62), Lauren Boyd (Carys Bufton, 83), Mali Summers, Jessica Bennett, Olivia Barnes, Eliza Atkins (Lauren Daniels, 54) Ceri Hudson, Lyndsey Davies, Amy Thrupp, Amy Williams.
Goals: Lyndsey Davies 73, Amy Williams 90′
Cardiff Met’s Dr Kerry Harris said:
“I thought we played really well in the first-half. There were spells in the second-half were we looked strong.
“We made some silly mistakes in the second-half that cost some goals.”
Abergavenny Women’s manager Craig Morgan-Hill said:
“I’m delighted with the attitude of the girls. We knew it would be tough and it was.
We stuck in there and showed great effort. I’m so proud. We are not a million miles away and this group of girls will only get better.”
Find out how the game unfolded with our live blog:
(Featured Image: Chwarae Sports Agency/Carl Robertson)
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