Cardiff Met strengthened their grip on a top six spot Cymru Premier with a clinical 2-0 win over Haverfordwest County at Cyncoed Campus.
Lewis Rees’ ninth-minute penalty and Sam Jones’ strike in the second minute of stoppage time in the second-half was the difference as the Archers showed their clinical edge over a Bluebirds side that have struggled on the road this season.
Ryan Jenkins’ side shot up to third, whilst Haverfordwest remain in the eighth, though their hopes of top-six football, hinge on other teams dropping points.
Cardiff Met took the lead as they earned a penalty after a positive early start. Rhys Abbruzzese clipped Chris Baker and the referee pointed to the spot. Rees stepped forward and sent Lee Idzi the other way with a composed penalty.
Met continued to dominate and Rees went near to a second. A simple ball cut through Haverfordwest’s makeshift defence but the former New Saints man hit the side netting.
The hosts had a majority of the opportunities and Chris Baker blazed a shot over the bar as the visitors failed to clear from a corner kick. In the second half, Dickson Kabongo had a similar fortune, shooting wide.
Haverfordwest had failed to create much, but had a penalty appeal turned down. Emlyn Lewis had collided with substitute Ryan George, but the referee stood firm in his on-field decision.
In their quest for an insurance goal, Met had two opportunities in quick succession but were unlucky not to score. Chris Craven drove a shot at Idzi, but the goalkeeper was alert to the effort. A chance then came after Iori Humphreys let a ball over the top beat him, with Idzi coming out, the goal was unguarded but Kabongo put his effort wide.
It took them the last ten minutes to get into the game, but Haverfordwest began to find their feet. Rhys Abbruzzese found space on the left-hand side but could only curl his shot over the bar.
The result was put beyond reasonable doubt as Sam Jones scored with a clinical strike. His first shot hit the body of Idzi and then on the rebound, he tucked it home on the rebound.
Cardiff Met: Alex Lang, Matt Chubb, Kyle McCarthy, Alaric Jones, Emlyn Lewis, Chris Baker (C), Lewis Rees, Harry Owen (Eliot Evans, 82), Chris Craven, Dickson Kabongo, Sam Jones.
Yellow Cards: Chris Baker 57, Alaric Jones 84′
Goals: Lewis Rees p 9, Sam Jones p 90+2
Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi, Rhys Abbruzzese, Ricky Watts, Corey Shephard (C), Ben Fawcett, Henry Jones (Ioan Evans, 46), Jordan Davies, Jamie Veale, Jack Wilson (Ryan George, 71), Iori Humphreys, Elliott Dugan (Harri John, 62)
Yellow Cards: Henry Jones 44, Rhys Abbruzzese 90+2
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