Four goals from Emily Allen guided Cardiff Met to an 8-1 win over Barry Town United and kept their place in the title race.
Along with Allen’s four goals there were two for Tija Richardson, and one each for Ellie Preece and Kennesha Nanette. Mackenzie Olden scored Barry’s only goal.
The result leaves Met in third place. Barry stay in seventh and will be playing for the Plate in phase two.
From the off it was clear to see the gameplans of both teams. Barry playing a high line, while Met wanted to push up the pitch as far as possible. Within 20 minutes, we saw whose tactics were better.
A cross from Steph Turner was flicked on in the box by Barry’s Hana Bennett. Unfortunately for Bennett, lurking behind her was Emily Allen, and she rifled in to give Met the lead.
They only had to wait three minutes for their next one. A ball over the top found Robyn Pinder, and she squared to Tija Richardson to double the lead.
What followed was a masterclass in attacking movement as the Archers scored three in as many minutes.
Allen got her second after Brennan parried Pinder’s effort straight into her path. Richardson then followed suit by scoring her second, nodding in from a cross from Pinder. Who would get their hat trick first?
The answer was Emily Allen. A goal similar to Met’s second, this time it was Ellie Preece who beat the offside and squared it to the striker. Met were on fire.
Barry calmed down after the fifth and headed into half time without conceding another, but could they salvage anything from this game?
Well, they started the second half superbly. A poor clearance from Amelia Forkings in goal fell straight to Anna Houghton. She slid it through to Mackenzie Olden, and the poacher picked her spot perfectly to reduce the deficit.
The goal could’ve provided Barry a spark, but when you’re up against a player in their mojo, like Emily Allen, it’s difficult to stop.
A delightful through ball down the line from Steph Turner found Allen, and her effort squirmed past Brennan into the bottom corner.
Preece was next to get on the scoresheet with a goal 20 minutes from time. Sophie Davidson’s original effort cannoned off the bar, but Preece was quickest to react and knocked it into the net.
On the full-time whistle, Preece’s cross was spilled by Brennan, and Kennesha Nanatte was on hand to tap in the eighth.
A blot on Met’s day however will be the injury suffered by Robyn Pinder. The forward looked in pain after a tackle from Hana Bennett, and the Archers will be hoping it isn’t too serious an injury.
Barry will play their final game of phase one away to Pontypridd United. Met will host Aberystwyth Town on Wednesday night.
Player of the Match: Emily Allen
I could’ve picked any of the Met frontline today, but how could I not pick Allen? A variety of finishes from the forward, the defenders couldn’t cope with her speed, and her work off the ball was good too.
Barry Town United
Erin Brennan (GK), Lauren Harris ©, Faith Mulenga, Rhian Thomas, Holly Jenkins (Delia Ebbin, 46’), Hana Bennett, Brooke Evans (Ruby Hamed-Jones, 72’), Chloe Jones (Paige Ward, 72’), Mackenzie Olden, Anna Houghton, Maisy Fahey-Pennell (Gina Robinson, 46’)
Unused Sub: Phoenix Phillips
Goals: Mackenzie Olden (48’)
Yellow Cards: Hana Bennett (56’)
Cardiff Met
Amelia Forkings (GK) (Charlotte Smith, 77’), Eve Pearson (Evie Griffiths, 71’), Sophie Davidson (Tiggi Webb, 77’), Grace Corne, Steph Turner ©, Sophie Hancocks, Emily Allen, Tija Richardson, Robyn Pinder (Kennesha Nanette, 59’), Erin Murray (Grace Batsford, 71’), Ellie Preece
Goals: Emily Allen (9’, 18’, 20’, 62’), Tija Richardson (12’, 19’), Ellie Preece (70’), Kennesha Nanette (90’)
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