Cardiff Met 1-1 Swansea City: Richards wonder free-kick earns draw against Champions

Cardiff Met drew 1-1 with the inaugural Genero Adran Premier winners Swansea City at Cyncoed Campus.

Met started the game on the back foot as they could not manage to get out of their own in the opening ten minutes.

The first effort of the game went to the champions as Katy Hosford had her effort blocked following a Rhianne Oakley delivery.

Stacey John-Davis went one on one with Smith and was forced to make a stop in which it went for a corner to the Swans.

As Swansea ere picking up a rhythm it soon came falling as Chloe Chivers had to come off as she was carried off and was replaced by Nia Rees.

Met won a free-kick following a foul on Elianna Chavez as Sophie Hancocks delivered a ball into the penalty area as Richardson converted from 10 yards out. The flag went up for offside as the Archers nearly took a shock lead.

Oakley had another effort late in the half in which Charlotte Smith was forced to make another save to go out for a corner. Following the corner, Jessica Williams headed just wide.

Laura May Walkley had to come off in the last few minutes of the half as Shannon Evans replaced her. As soon as she came on she had a header go past the post from close range.

After a goalless first half, Swansea won a free-kick firm 40 yards out following a foul on Oakley by Tija Richardson. Jessica Williams stepped up to take as she took an audacious attempt in which it rattled the post.

Moments after hitting the post the Genero Adran Premier champions took the lead. Stacey John- Davis who has been key for the side this season hit a powerful effort into the bottom right corner past Smith.

Emily Allen who made the return to Met this season could have brought the Archers level within a minute of going behind. As she ran down the right as she has an effort from just inside the box hit the woodwork.

Sophie Hancocks has been an underrated player for Met this season as the midfielder who has contributed six assists for the Archers this season nearly adding another one. As she whipped a corner into the penalty area as Richardson headed over the bar.

Emily Richards was subbed on with 25 minutes to go as the Met youngster scored a set-piece against Aberystwyth earlier in the season in a 2-0 win.

Moments after coming on Met won a free-kick from 35 yards out as she managed to put it into the top corner past Claire Skinner as Met grabbed an equalizser.

The chances kept coming for Met as Allen played a ball to the back post as Shannon Evans had her effort hit the side netting.

Richards made a massive difference since coming on as she passed a ball to the path of Shannon Evans who had her effort saved by Claire Skinner.

The skillful midfielder continued as Richards played a wonderful through ball to Elianna Chavez who had her effort saved.

Neither side could win it as soon as the whistle went the Swans could start their celebrations as they prepared for the trophy presentation.

Cardiff Met  

Charlotte Smith, Jessie Taylor, Lucy Finch, Tija Richardson, Grace Corne ( Hannah Mills, 34 ), Sophie Hancocks (C), Emily Allen, Laura-May Walkley ( Shannon Evans, 44 ), Erin Murray, Lauren Hutton-Townsend (Emily Richards , 66), Elianna Chavez. 

Subs  

Jess Rees , Amy Long , Emily Richards , Hannah Mills , Shannon Evans 

Goals: Emily Richards 73 

Swansea City  

Claire Skinner, Alicia Powe, Sarah Adams, Ellie Lake, Kelly Adams, Chloe Chivers ( Nia Rees, 13 ) (Gwen Horgan , 80) , Katy Hosford, Stacey John-Davis, Rhianne Oakley (Chloe Tiley, 71 ), Laura Davies, Jessica Williams. 

Subs 

Gemma Border , Nieve Jenkins , Chloe Tiley , Gwen Horgan , Nia Rees 

Goals: Stacey John-Davis 52