An own goal proved costly for Pontypridd United as they lost 1-0 to Cardiff Met at the USW Sport Park in the Cymru Premier.
Former Archers defender Joe Evans deflected the ball into his own net in the early stages of the second half in the only goal of the game.
Andrew Stokes’ side fell to their fourth defeat in five matches and failed to score for the eighth time this season. The Met won their first away match since October 22, and made it three wins from their last five matches.
Met moved up to fifth and overtook Caernarfon Town, whilst Pontypridd remain two points behind Flint Town United.
In a game that started with tremendous pace, it was Pontypridd who looked the sharper of the two sides in the opening stages of the match.
However, Cardiff Met soon found their rhythm and began what turned out to be a half of dominating possession with a lack of conviction in front of goal.
The Archers looked threatening down the flanks with Eliot Evans and Lewis Rees both delivering menacing crosses into the box. Unfortunately from a Met point of view the Ponty defence remained resilient.
Joe Hunt seemed the most likely to trouble the Cardiff Met goal, although both of his long-range efforts went straight down the path of Alex Lang.
The best chance of the first half fell to Eliot Evans, however, he failed to convert from Harry Owen’s wicked delivery to the back post.
Kurtis Rees was perhaps lucky to not see red after two heavy challenges. His second on Dixon Kabongo was deemed only worthy of a yellow by referee Iwan Griffith.
It took only two minutes after the break for Cardiff Met to break the deadlock after Joe Evans turned the ball into the back of the net following a lack of communication between the defender and his goalkeeper.
Eliot Evans came close to doubling The Met’s lead after a fantastic counterattack. But his effort narrowly went by the post.
Chances were few and far between for Ponty in the second half with their best coming in the dying embers when the ball fell to Elliot Richards. Had it not been for Chris Craven’s last-ditch challenge the ball would’ve surely found the back of the net.
Pontypridd United: Ashley Morris, Dave Vincent, Joe Evans, Joe Hunt, Kieran Lewis, Kurtis Rees (James Saddler, 49), Ben Ahmun, Lewys Twamley, James Bloom (Elliot Richards, 80), Corey Jenkins (Lewis Harrison, 85), Lee Baldock.
Yellow Cards: Ben Ahmun 26, Kuris Rees 43, David Vincent 89’
Cardiff Met: Alex Lang, Matthew Chubb, Emlyn Lewis, Kyle McCarthy, Chris Craven, Dixon Kabongo, Chris Baker, Eliot Evans, Sam Jones, Harry Owen, Lewis Rees
Goals: Joe Evans O.G 47′
Yellow Cards: Dickson Kabongo 68’
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