Barry Town United 0-4 Cardiff Met: free-flowing Archers maintain top-spot
Cardiff Met remain top of the Adran Premier with a comfortable 4-0 win over Barry Town United.
First-half strikes from Emily Allan and Taylor O’Learly, followed by one each for Laura-May Walkley and Emily Richards gave the Archers their fifth league win of the season in style.
Cardiff Met remain top on goal difference from Cardiff City. Both sides have a three-point lead over third-placed Swansea City, who have two games in hand.
Barry drop to seventh, above TNS on goal difference.
Barry made a bright start and Lauren Harris was able to get behind the Met defence. Harris was denied entry into the box by Jessie Taylor.
The hosts had the first big chance of the game as they worked the ball across the pitch, finding Harris inside the box. The Barry captain’s right-footed shot went wide of the post.
Stephanie Turner had a shot at goal blocked as she got the ball from Sophie Hancocks’ corner.
Emily Richards played a dangerous ball behind the defence looking for Erin Murray. Barry did well to cut out the pass and clear.
After what had been an even start, Met took the lead on 14 minutes. Emily Allen fired a shot into the top corner after a corner from Sophie Hancocks.
Megan Bowen tried to level it up with a shot from the edge of the box but the attempt didn’t trouble Annabelle Sweeney.
Met doubled their lead soon after, as Allen turned provider. Allen put a low cross along the box finding O’Leary at the back post who put the ball into the opposite corner.
Chelsea Herbert was called into action making a double save first from Allen and then from the follow-up shot.
Met put Barry under early pressure as they looked to press their advantage. Chelsea Herbert did well to stop O’Leary’s ball looking for Laura-May Walkley.
The Students punished a defensive error to extend their lead as Murray set up Walkley who lofted the ball over Herbert.
Murray set up Emily Richards for a shooting chance. Richards showed good close control to create space, but her shot from the edge of the area flew narrowly wide.
Mackenzie Olden tried a curling effort from the edge of the box but there wasn’t enough bend and it went straight to Sweeney.
Allen had two efforts blocked in the box by Barry after the ball fell to her from Hancocks’ corner.
The Archers were able to control the game as they moved the ball around the pitch to see the game out.
Met added a fourth late on through Richards. Receiving the ball from Murray on the corner of the box, Richards found space to shoot with some good footwork and hit her shot into the top corner.
Barry Town United: Chelsea Herbert (G), Faith Mulenga (Olivia Townsend 71), Holly Jenkins (Caitlin Marron 64), Delia Ebbin, Rachel Currie, Megan Bowen, Grace O’Reilly (Taite Trivett 54), Anna Houghton, Mackenzie Olden, Mannon Pearce, Lauren Harris (C).
Cardiff Met: Annabel Sweeney (G),Alanna Torrington (Grace Corne 44), Hannah Mills (Elianna Chavez 62), Stephanie Turner (C), Sophie Hancocks, Emily Allen, Laura-May Walkley, Erin Murray, Emily Richards, Taylor O’Leary (Ellie Preece 54), Jessie Taylor.
Goals: Emily Allen 14, Taylor O’Leary 18, Laura-May Walkley 48, Emily Richards 82.
