As-it-happened: Cardiff Met 1-0 Pontypridd United
Cardiff Met kept chase of Swansea City going in the Genero Adran Premier with a win at their home ground against an inform Pontypridd United.
The first half started with both teams testing each other, waiting for one another to make the first move. Not much fire shown in the cold of Cardiff. Elianna Chavez was the first player to start injecting some pace into the game with a few driving runs at the Ponty backline. A Met counterattack allowed Preece to get the ball into the box which found Erin Murray for the first real chance of the game, but she was unable to tuck it away with Brooke coming up with a good save to keep the scores level. Shortly after, Ponty’s Gunney was forced off with an injury and was replaced by number 23, Turner.
Murray and opposition striker Liv Francis have a rivalry of their own as both players are par on goals this season, both netting 5. But following a Chavez’s shot that was saved, the American was quick to pounce on the loose ball and lay off Murray who arrived late in the box to smash the first goal home after 28 minutes.
After a period of pressure from Met a quick break gave us a glimpse of what Liv Francis has to offer with the Pontypridd player streaking away in behind only for her low driven shot to be saved by the fingertips of Forkings. Things were starting to fire up. Just before the half we saw Chavez, who is yet to score in the league, get another chance in front of goal, but Brooke gave the visitors another lifeline by coming up with an impressive save.
The second half started similarly to the first with nobody taking charge. As the half progressed, Ponty were finding themselves able to cause the Met defence some trouble down the right-hand side. The inform Witts getting the first chance from a dangerous and powerful cross but she was unable to add to her 3 goals tally this season. A second chance came a few minutes later with the replacement Turner unable to capitalize on the space she found herself in. With time running out, Pontypridd were looking to their bench to emulate the positive impact Turner had when coming on. With full time looming the Met midfield trio of Murray, Batsford and the influential Hancocks were able to find spaces and dictate the tempo taking advantage of an increasingly desperate Pontypridd.
There was no shaky ending from Met even though the visitors never lost heart. Cardiff Met matched the weather and kept their cool to secure a 1-0 win at home against fifth-placed Pontypridd which stretches the gap between the two teams to 8 points. The chase for domestic success continues for the Met while Pontypridd will attempt to secure their spot in the league in the coming games.
