Cardiff Met 2-1 Flint Town United: Liam Warman strikes late for Archers

Cardiff Met signed off their Cymru Premier campaign with a 2-1 win over Flint Town United at Cyncoed Campus.

The Archers took an early lead through midfielder Chris Baker, only to be cancelled out in the second period by a well-taken goal from Mark Cadwallader.

Despite chances for both sides late-on, it was the hosts who found the winner with a fantastic strike from distance by Liam Warman.

The victory sees Christian Edwards’ side finish eighth in the Cymru Premier, one place lower than last season’s standing. 

Despite succumbing to their 20th defeat of the season, Flint Town United finish 10th in the table.

The Archers started on the front foot and were rewarded for their fast start, as they took the lead in the opening four minutes. 

Midfielder Baker got in-behind the Silkmen’s defence and fired calmly past Jon Rushton to give the hosts an early advantage.

Neil Gibson’s side responded well to falling behind and went close to an equaliser when winger Callum Bratley got the wrong side of Archers captain Bradley Woolridge, only to fire wide.

In a competitive first period, another chance fell for Bratley, as he met captain Alex Jones’ low cross into the box, but couldn’t make clean contact. 

The Archers went close to punishing the visitors with a second goal, as Kyle McCarthy’s dangerous corner delivery was headed narrowly wide by right-back Matthew Chubb.

Late in the opening period, tempers threatened to boil over in a heated contest, as Chubb, Hulbert and Thomas Price were all booked for the hosts.

As both sides went into the break having created chances, it was the Archers who had the lead through Baker’s opener. 

Gibson’s side started the second period well and went close to an equaliser when Ben Nash crossed well for Bratley, whose header deflected narrowly wide.

Flint Town were rewarded for their positive start to the second-half as they levelled the score in the 57^th minute. 

Playmaker Cadwallader did superbly well to create space for himself in the box and fire emphatically past Will Fuller for the equaliser.

The Silkmen had their tails up following Cadwallader’s effort and had a positive spell of chances, but were denied at every turn by Fuller.

Edwards’ side then had an opportunity to re-gain the lead, as Baker found space on the left to cross for substitute Warman, who headed over the bar.

It was then Flint’s turn to go close, as the ball was laid off to Maher on the edge of the box, who fired powerfully past the post.

In an end-to-end finish, it was the Archers who found the winning goal, as they re-gained their advantage in the 85^thminute. 

Warman drove with pace at the Flint Town defence before firing a fantastic strike past Rushton to put Edwards’ side in the ascendancy with just five minutes left.

In the dying minutes, Cardiff Metropolitan managed the game well and defended resolutely to seal the three points.

Cardiff Metropolitan University: Will Fuller, Bradley Woolridge (C), Kyle McCarthy, Emlyn Lewis (Dylan Rees 61’), Eliot Evans, Chris Baker, Charlie Corsby, Ollie Hulbert, Matthew Chubb (Rhydian Morgan 61’), Thomas Price (Craig Davies 72’), Lewis Rees (Liam Warman 36’)

Goals: Chris Baker 4’, Liam Warman 85’

Yellow Cards: Matthew Chubb 42’, Ollie Hulbert 42’, Thomas Price 44’

Flint Town United: Jon Rushton, Sam Hart, Ben Nash, Kai Edwards, Mark Cadwallader, Alex Jones (C), Callum Bratley, Ross Weaver, Evan Gumbs, Conor Harwood (Edmond Clarke 72’), Ben Maher

Goals: Mark Cadwallader 56’

Yellow Cards: Evan Gumbs 42’

(Featured Image: Carl Robertson)