Goalkeepers on form as Cardiff Met and Newtown play to bore draw
Cardiff Met goalkeeper Alex Lang in action. Cardiff Met v Penybont in the JD Cymru Premier at Cyncoed Campus on the 30th December 2022.
Cardiff Met and Newtown could not be separated as Cymru C excluded goalkeepers Alex Lang and Dave Jones were on form.
Both teams battle it out in cold, brisk conditions under the lights in Cardiff as the match ends 0-0. Newtown came down to the capital looking for their first-ever win over the Archers at Cyncoed Campus.
The first half started off with both teams able to get into the final third but no one able to find the break with chances going astray. The first chance came with Harry Owen hitting a shot on target only for it to be saved fantastically by the visitors’ keeper; Dave Jones.
Cardiff Met’s stopper, Alex Lang seemed to take that personal as he pulled out an unbelievable save from a Newtown deflected shot and tipped it over the bar. Sam Jones was causing the Newtown defence some trouble with his quick feet and runs in behind. But he was contained by Ryan Sears, his soon to be teammate after both being selected for the Cymru C squad. Worrying signs for Met as Lewis Rees seemed to nurture a knock, but he soon ran it off. The half ended with neither team taking charge of the game and a feeling that it could go either way.
The Archers came out the better side in the second half, one way traffic made it seem as if a goal was only a matter of time. Lewis Rees was looking dangerous being allowed to take on the Newtown backline, and Eliot Evans was able to become more prominent in attack for the Met. After some intricate passing deep into the Newtown half, Harry Owen cut back across the box and got a left footed shot off and forced Dave Jones to pull out yet another stunning save to keep the scores level. The man between the stick was keeping them in the fight. A few minutes later the visitors were let off the hook with CJ Craven unable to connect with a cutback into the box that went out for a goal kick.
In the final few minutes Newtown started to push forward. Louise Robles was looking lively as the men in maroon were starting to tire and you felt if it had to come for Newtown, it would come from him. After a few good crosses delivered into Met’s box, no breakthrough was found and the game finished 0-0. Emlyn Lewis was visibly tired after a great performance at the back covering and distributing and in the end keeping a clean sheet. Both teams had opportunities to score, but Newtown AFC will be the team going home the happiest with a point against a team seven points in front on them.
