Cardiff Metropolitan 6-1 Haverfordwest County: Archers net six in sublime first-half display
20/04/2021 - Cardiff Met 6-1 Haverfordwest County © Carl Robertson
Cardiff Metropolitan made it back-to-back wins as they claimed a resounding 6-1 victory over Haverfordwest County at Cyncoed Campus.
A sublime first-half display from the Archers saw them net six in the opening period.
Striker Ollie Hulbert netted an impressive hat-trick, along with Eliot Evans’ brace and a goal from captain Bradley Woolridge.
Kieran Lewis pulled a consolation goal back in the second-half on a disappointing night for the Bluebirds.
The victory sees Christian Edwards’ side rise to tenth in the Cymru Premier table, overtaking Flint Town United, who succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Newtown.
Wayne Jones’ side fall to their second straight heavy defeat, as the gap between them and Newtown in sixth is reduced to just two points.
The Archers came out of the blocks quickly and took an early lead in just the third minute.
Midfielder Thomas Price broke well down the right and slid in Evans at the back post, who fired past Wojciech Gajda to open the scoring and record his seventh goal of the season.
The Bluebirds responded well to falling behind and almost found an immediate equaliser, as midfielder Elliot Scotcher fired narrowly over from the edge of the box.
Despite going into the fixture as the lowest scorers in the Cymru Premier, Edwards’ side were clinical and doubled their lead.
Superb distribution from goalkeeper Alex Lang found Evans in space on the left to cross to striker Hulbert, who turned the ball home for his sixth of the season.
Cardiff Met went close to adding a swift third, as Evans fired narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
The Archers weren’t to be denied however, as they extended their lead.
A corner routine was parried by Gajda to captain Woolridge, who struck home from close range to put the hosts in a commanding position.
The Archers continued to threaten from set-pieces and found joy in delivering into the box, as they added a fourth with ten minutes of the first-half to play.
Striker Hulbert found himself in the right place at the right time to turn the ball past Gadja for his second goal of the evening.
Just two minutes later, defender Emlyn Lewis looked to meet a corner delivery, only to be brought down in the box, with Evans dispatching the penalty emphatically.
The influential Evans was once again involved as the Archers added a sixth in the 43rd minute, as he played in Hulbert, who finished cooly past Gajda to cap off a sublime first-half display from Edwards’ side.
Looking to reduce the deficit and get themselves on the scoresheet, the Bluebirds started the second-half positively and almost pulled one back through Danny Williams, who couldn’t quite control in the box.
Cardiff Met took control of possession however and looked full of confidence with numerous intricate attacks, as midfielder Charlie Corsby went close with an effort from the edge of the box.
A positive for the Bluebirds was the return from injury for attacker Jack Wilson, who scored eight goals in Phase One.
After a more competitive performance in the second period, the Bluebirds got themselves on the scoresheet.
Kieran Lewis capitalised on a rare mistake from Cardiff Metropolitan goalkeeper Lang to pull a goal back for the visitors.
Despite being denied a clean sheet, the Archers had chances late-on to add a seventh goal, as defender Lewis headed over from close range in a golden chance for the hosts.
Evans, who caused problems for Haverfordwest throughout, went close to securing his hat-trick, but his effort from distance was saved by Gajda.
In the dying minutes, substitute Lewis Rees found space in the box, but fired against the woodwork.
After a sublime first-half performance, the Archers secured an impressive 6-1 victory.
Cardiff Metropolitan University return to action as they travel to Aberystwyth Town on Friday evening, while Haverfordwest County host Flint Town United this weekend.
Cardiff Metropolitan University: Alex Lang, Dylan Rees (Mathew Jones 85’), Kyle McCarthy, Bradley Woolridge (C), Emlyn Lewis, Eliot Evans, Charlie Corsby (Rhydian Morgan 68’), Ollie Hulbert (Lewis Rees 62’), Liam Warman, Matthew Chubb (Joseph Evans 85’), Thomas Price (Thomas Craig Davies 85’)
Goals: Eliot Evans 3’, 38’, Ollie Hulbert 13’, 35’,43’, Bradley Woolridge 23’
Haverfordwest County: Wojciech Gajda, Dan Summerfield, Alaric Jones (Trystan Jones 45’), Scott Tancock (Sean Pemberton 45’), Ricky Watts (C), Ben Fawcett (Marcus Griffiths 45’), Cameron Keetch, Kurtis Rees, Elliot Scotcher, Kieran Lewis, Danny Williams (Jack Wilson 66’)
Goals: Kieran Lewis 73’
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