Cardiff Met and Caernarfon Town share spoils in thrilling draw

Uchafbwyntiau | Highlights@CardiffMetFC 2-2 @CaernarfonTown #JDCymruPremier | @CymruLeagues pic.twitter.com/e252StWvwf

— Sgorio ⚽️ (@sgorio) February 10, 2024

Ten-man Cardiff Met and Caernarfon Town couldn’t be separated as they drew 2-2 in the Cymru Premier. 

Gwion Dafydd earned his side a point as they recovered from Tom Price and Eliot Evans scoring after Sion Bradley had opened the scoring. Sam Jones was red carded in the 70th minute for the hosts and the Canaries made most of that advantage.

Caernarfon go level on points with Caernarfon and are only behind on goal difference whilst Met move to within two points of third-placed Bala Town. 

As much of the game, the opening minutes started in an even end-to-end contest between both sides. Even though the possession and attacks were 50:50, Cardiff Met had more of the chances. CJ Craven missed a header from point-blank, but the ball was coming at him at an awkward height.

Sion Bradley, who was the standout player for Caernarfon, was brought down by Archers defender Emlyn Lewis in and decided to take the free-kick himself. It turned out to be an excellent decision, as the Cofi’s forward curled one in wonderfully to beat Alex Lang and put the Cofi’s in front.

Met were not to be broken by that and instead decided to replicate it rather perfectly. Morgan Owen fouled Thomas Price just outside the box, and just like Bradley, Price decided to take it upon himself to convert the free-kick. And so he did! Brilliantly curled away from goalkeeper Lewis Webb the crowd were amazed to see two quality free-kicks within ten minutes.

The remainder of the half was an even contest, but just like the opening minutes, Met had some more decisive opportunities. Caernarfon captain GJ Williams produced a goal-saving block to make sure the away side did not go into the halftime break trailing. Alex Lang made sure of the same for Met when he produced a save off Louis Lloyd seconds before the referee blew up.

Not much time after the start of the second half, Cardiff Met scored and took the lead for the first time in the game. Some crisp passing on the left found Sam Jones running at the defence with acres of space, finding Eliot Evans perfectly, who tapped it home for the Archers.

The next quarter of the game was full of physical exchanges and confrontations, till it finally boiled down enough for the first and only red card of the game. Sam Jones, who produces an amazing assist for Eliot Evans, went in heavy in what seemed like a 50:50 attempt at getting the ball with Morgan Owen. However, when Sam Jones went full force on the tackle and was second to it, the referee saw no hesitation to send him off and what seemed to be a soft red card.

Caernarfon picked up some steam after Met were reduced to 10-men for the final 25 minutes of the game. After some near-misses and midfield dominance, the north Welsh outfit finally took advantage of the 10-men Archers and equalised with five minutes to go. The ball found Gwion Dafydd on the right, and despite the tight angle and the rushing defender trying to close the space down, Dafydd found the back of the net with precision amid the chaos.

The final few minutes saw Alex Lang coming in to rescue Cardiff Met with some stunning close-range saves to see off the tide as both teams gracefully accepted the draw at the end of a thrilling contest.

Cardiff Met FC

Alex Lang (gk), Matthew Chubb, Kyle McCarthy (c), Emlyn Lewis, Thomas Price, Eliot Evans, Dixon Kabongo (Joe Evans 72’), Lewis Rees (Finn Skiverton 80’), CJ Craven, Barnaby Soady, Sam Jones.

Goals – Thomas Price 24’, Eliot Evans 57’

Yellow Cards – Emlyn Lewis 17’, Matthew Chubb 90+2’, Kyle McCarthy 90+6’

Red Card – Sam Jones 70’

Caernarfon Town FC

Lewis Webb (gk), Iwan Cartwright, Joe Faux (Darren Thomas 83’), Gruffydd Williams (c), Dion Donohue (Cai Griffith 80’), Sion Bradley, Adam Davies, Gwion Dafydd, Zack Clarke, Louis Lloyd, Morgan Owen.  

Goals – Sion Bradley 7’, Gwion Dafydd 84’

Yellow Cards – Adam Davies 10’, Gruffydd Williams 74’

(Featured Image: S4C Sgorio)