Cardiff Met 2-2 Newtown: Honours even at Cyncoed Campus
14/04/2021 - Cardiff Met 2-2 Newtown © Carl Robertson
Cardiff Met and Newtown couldn’t be separated as they played to a 2-2 draw at Cyncoed Campus in the JD Cymru Premier.
Newtown twice took the lead through Kieran Mills-Evans and Lifumpa Mwandwe, however Chris Baker and Liam Warman cancelled out their efforts.
The draw sees the Archers ended their three-game winless run meanwhile Newtown earn their fourth point from their opening two Play-off Conference matches.
Met remain in the bottom two despite the draw meanwhile Chris Hughes’ side fall behind in the race for seventh with eight points now separating them and Haverfordwest.
Met were dealt an early blow as Harry Owen was forced off with a hamstring injury in the opening minute with Tom Price sent on in his place.
Owen had previously been sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and looks consigned to missing the remainder of the campaign.
Price’s first piece of the action was forcing a save out of Dave Jones with a close-ranged shot before heading over with a rebounded effort.
Newtown took the lead with their first meaningful opportunity as Mills-Evans used his aerial prowess to nod the Robins in front.
A free-kick from captain Craig Williams was delivered in well and Mills-Evans was on hand to head home for the visitors.
Chris Baker issued a response eight minutes later with a smart finish.
The Met midfielder used his shin to chip Newtown keeper Jones after he had initially saved his first effort.
Newtown restored their lead just before the break however as Mwandwe netted his second goal upon his return to the Mid Wales outfit.
Mwandwe let rip a strike into the top right corner of the goal leaving Alex Lang with no chance.
The second-half began with both sides heavy on the attacking side.
Mwandwe was causing problems down the left flank through impressive dribbling but his dangerous cross wasn’t met by a yellow shirt.
Met just before the hour mark got back on level terms again.
The creative Liam Warman expertly dribbled his way into the edge of the box before curling past Jones.
Met then almost took the lead for the first time in the match as Woolridge’s effort from the back-post forced the Newtown keeper into a save.
Warman then had an opportunity to add to his tally as he shot from five-yards out but Dave Jones was alert to his effort.
Baker, who also was on the scoresheet, nearly added another as his shot skimmed just over the bar.
In the dying stages, top scorer Ollie Hulbert almost sealed the game for Met as his curling effort went inches wide of the post.
Cardiff Met: Alex Lang, Kyle McCarthy, Bradley Woolridge, Eliot Evans, Chris Baker, Charlie Corsby, Harry Owen (Tom Price, 1), Ollie Hulbert, Joe Evans, Liam Warman, Matt Chubb
Goals: Chris Baker 22, Liam Warman 57’
Yellow Cards: Liam Warman 64, Bradley Woolridge 80’
Newtown: Dave Jones, Kieran Mills-Evans, Neil Mitchell (Jordan Evans, 46), Nick Rushton (Jake Phillips, 65), Craig Williams, Tyrone Ofori, George Hughes, Shane Sutton, Alex Fletcher, Lifumpa Mwandwe (Tyrone Ofori, 65), Callum Roberts
Goals: Kieran Mills-Evans 14, Lifumpa Mwandwe 42
Yellow Cards: Tyrone Ofori 53, Jordan Evans 84’
Recap the action as-it-happened by reading through our live blog below:
