Cardiff Met kept pace in the Welsh Premier Women’s League title race by defeating Aberystwyth Town 3-0 at Cyncoed Campus.
Elianna Chavez and Stephanie Turner were on target in the first half, before Erin Murray added in stoppage time in the second half.
Kerry Harris’ side remain two points of the league leaders Swansea City and stay clear six clear of Cardiff City to help maintain the race for the title.
Met dominated the first forty-five were made to work for their third goal by Aberystwyth who put in a spirited performance in the second-half.
The first real chance of the game in the early stages was a free-kick from 20 yards out as Chloe O’Connor struck the ball and was caught by Ffion Ashman.
Met then made an early breakthrough as Chavez opened her account in South Wales with a fine composed strike.
Chavez collected the ball on the left side of the box before slotting low past Ashman to give the hosts the lead.
Met had a free-kick just outside the box in which Pinder and Hancocks moved it like a training ground set-drill, ancocks fired just past the post.
The home side doubled their advantage from a corner-kick in which Aberystwyth failed to clear.
Hancocks’ floated cross eventually fell to Turner who blasted the ball home from close range.
Eloise Jenkins provided a few attacking passes for Aber but none of which led to any danger for the Seasiders as they headed into the break trailing by two goals.
The second half was a more contested affair as Aberystwyth dealt with various opportunities from Met in which they may not have done in the first.
Andrew Evans’ side kept pressing the Met defence and came out of their half more after being penned in for the first. They were able to play without any pressures as Evans urged his side forward.
At the hour mark, Erin Murray made her run as she was introduced for her return. She nearly managed a goal with her first opportunity.
The impressive Chavez delivered a cross into the back post in which saw Erin Murray inches away to header the ball in.
In a rare opportunity for Aberystwyth, Bethan Roberts curled an effort at goal but her shot was saved by Charlotte Smith.
Ellie Preece came on with ten minutes to go and managed to miss an opportunity as she dribbled past the defence in which her shot was blazed over from five yards out.
After being hard-pressed by Aber in the second half, Met were able to break down a rearguard for a third goal, a few minutes from time.
Pinder sprayed a pass to Hancocks on the flank to carry before hitting a cross to Murray who leapt highest to flick a header home.
Cardiff Met: Charlotte Smith, Lucy Finch, Grace Corne, Stephanie Turner (C), Sophie Hancocks, Amy Long (Erin Murray 66), Robyn Pinder, Elianna Chavez, Chloe O’Connor, (Ellie Preece,79), Shannon Evans, (Emily Richards, 56), Amber Roberts
Goals: Elianna Chavez 7, Stephanie Turner 22, Erin Murray 88
Yellow Cards: Chloe O’Connor’
Aberystwyth: Ffion Ashman, Flavia Jenkins, Lucie Gwilt, Josie Pugh, Rebecca Mathias, Bethan Roberts, Kelly Thomas, Caroline Cooper (C), Eloise Jenkins, (Emily Thomas, 67), Libby Isaac (Alaw Davies, 75), Niamh Duggan (Charlotte Chalmers, 63)
Recap Met’s win at Cyncoed Campus by reading our live blog below:
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