Cardiff Metropolitan 1-1 Connah’s Quay Nomads: late strike secures draw for Archers

Brandon Roberts struck with the last kick of the game as Cardiff Met earned a point against Connah’s Quay and prevented Craig Harrison from winning his first Cymru Premier match.

The Archers deservedly drew 1leaving it late to secure a point. Jamie Insall’s early opener was cancelled out by 18-year-old Roberts’ injury-time strike.

The reigning champions are now winless in their last seven league games. The wait for a league victory for Craig Harrison carries on.

Met have picked up an impressive 18 points from their last eight league games.

The sides were evenly matched in the opening stages, with strong defending preventing any clear chances in the first 10 minutes.

The first opportunity of the game fell to Aeron Edwards, who was found at the back post by an Aron Williams cross. Edwards’ header flew wide of the post.

Insall broke the deadlock with a tidy lofted attempt over Alex Lang after a clearance from Nomads goalkeeper Oliver Byrne found its way into the path of the attacker.

Danny Harrison struck a clean effort with his left foot, but it was just too high and went over the crossbar.

A free-kick in a dangerous position for Met was played short to Adam Roscrow, whose attempt was blocked. Charlie Corsby followed up but fired wide.

Aron Williams tested Lang with a low-fired shot from the edge of the box, but the goalkeeper saved well.

Met settled into the game towards the end of the first half, passing with more purpose. They were almost rewarded for their efforts when an Emlyn Lewis header found Eliot Evans at the edge of the box, but his volley flew over.

The Archers started the second half with the same intensity as the end of the first. Quick feet from Harry Owen allowed him to find Lewis Rees in a dangerous position on the right, but the latter was offside.

Cardiff Met players and fans were left furious following a penalty appeal. They believed the ball had struck a Connah’s Quay hand in the box, but the referee waved play on. Manager Christian Edwards was booked in the aftermath.

The introduction of Paulo Mendes helped the visitors massively. Mostly used as a central midfielder for Caernarfon Town last season, he was playing higher up the pitch for the Nomads. His height and all-around aerial ability helped get Connah’s Quay out of trouble.

McCarthy received his marching orders with less than 20 minutes left to play. His second yellow came following a foul on Declan Poole.  

Met’s best chance of the game fell to Roscrow. A long ball by Lang saw Roscrow control the ball in the box. It looked as though he had taken it past Byrne, but the goalkeeper recovered superbly to save the shot.

Roscrow made up for his missed chance minutes later, this time at the opposite end. Connah’s Quay were attacking in numbers until the attacker tracked back fantastically to slide tackle John Disney in the box.

Byrne gifted a chance to Met late on as his pass inside his own box was intercepted by Emlyn Lewis. He then found Liam Warman, whose strike was saved comfortably by Byrne.

Youngster Brandon Roberts rescued the point right at the death with a left-footed effort from the edge of the box which flew into the bottom corner.

Cardiff Metropolitan University: Alex Lang (C), Kyle McCarthy, Emlyn Lewis, Thomas Price, Eliot Evans, Adam Roscrow, Charlie Corsby, Harry Owen, Lewis Rees (Liam Warman 60’), Joseph Evans, Chris Caven.

Goal: Brandon Roberts (90+3)

Yellow cards: Kyle McCarthy (2’, 72’)

Red card: Kyle McCarthy (72’)

Connah’s Quay Nomads: Oliver Byrne, John Disney, Ryan Harrington, Callum Morris (C), Jamie Insall (Byron Harrison 90’), Declan Poole, Danny Holmes, Kris Owens (Jamie Mullan 26’), Aron Williams (Paulo Mendes 58’), Neal Eardley, Aeron Edwards.

Goal: Jamie Insall (14’)

(Featured image: Carl Robertson/Cardiff Met Sport)