Cardiff Met 3-2 Barry Town United: Archers reach third final in spite of early setback
Eliot Evans of Cardiff Met celebrates scoring his sides third goal. Cardiff Metropolitan University v Barry Town United in the Nathaniel MG Cup Semi Final at Cyncoed Campus on the 27th November 2021. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Cardiff Met continued to get the better of Barry Town United as they beat them 3-2 to reach their third Nathaniel MG Cup final in four seasons.
In front of a raucous crowd, goals from Adam Roscrow, Emlyn Lewis and Eliot Evans was enough to see the Archers through, after Jordan Cotterill scored the opener and Nat Jarvis got a consolation goal late on, but it wasn’t to be for the visitors.
Things started well for Barry. A throw-in was flicked on by Kayne McLaggon and Cotterill latched onto it, who then produced a stunning lob over Lang to send the travelling Yellow Army into a frenzy.
For the opening half-hour, even though they were down by one, Met had most of the ball and were beginning to create chances. Michael Lewis doing well to keep out the efforts of Eliot Evans and Matthew Chubb.
In the 32nd minute, their pressure was rewarded. Lewis Rees sprinted into the box and was kicked in the air by Aron Davies, and the referee had no option but to give a penalty. Roscrow stepped up and blasted the ball down the middle to level proceedings.
The hosts only had to wait four minutes to take the lead. A corner from Harry Owen found the head of Lewis, and his downward header found it’s way into the bottom corner to give Met a well-deserved lead going into half time.
Met picked up where they left off at the beginning of the second half. In the 55th minute, Harry Owen robbed the Barry midfield of the ball, and laid it onto Rees who played in Evans, and he rifled his effort past Lewis to make it 3-1.
Then came the most controversial moment in the game. A Barry corner resulted in a goalmouth scramble. The Barry players and supporters were adamant the ball had crossed the line, but there were bodies all over the place after Met players had been kicked.
After consultation with his assistant referee, the referee decided to give Met a freekick, a decision which angered the travelling faithful.
For the rest of the game, Barry had chances but couldn’t convert. The best chance fell to Curtis McDonald, who found himself alone in the area at the end of a Rhys Kavanagh cross but headed it narrowly wide of the goal.
Jarvis did get a goal in the 92nd minute, getting his foot on the end of a McLaggon cross, but it was too late for Barry, and Cardiff Met advance to face Connah’s Quay Nomads in the final.
Player of the Match: Lewis Rees
Not only did he win the penalty, but Rees was always an outlet for Met when they were under pressure, and also managed to find the right passes when they were in control.
Cardiff Met: Alex Lang (GK + C) (Max Manson, 78’), Matthew Chubb, Kyle McCarthy, Emlyn Lewis, Eliot Evans, Adam Roscrow, Charles Corsby, Harry Owen, Lewis Rees, Joseph Evans, Chris Craven
Subs: Jac Davies, Liam Warman, Thomas Davies, Daniel Warre
Yellow Cards: Adam Roscrow (27’), Matthew Chubb (36’), Charles Corsby (74’), Eliot Evans (79’), Chris Craven (90’)
Barry Town: Michael Lewis (GK), Chris Hugh, Robbie Patten, Kayne McLaggon, Jordan Cotterill, Rhys Kavanagh, Theo Warton (Nat Jarvis, 77’), Curtis McDonald, Aron Davies, Luke Cooper (Luke Cummings, 89’), Clayton Green (Marcus Day, 77’)
Subs: Kelland Absalom (GK), Evan Press, Mervyn Bennett, Shaiyon Johnson
Yellow Cards: Evan Press (56’), Jordan Cotterill (70’), Clayton Green (76’), Nat Jarvis (90’)
