Bala Town emerged victorious in a high-voltage clash at the Cyncoed Campus against Cardiff Met, who are still hunting for their first win of the play-off stage. The North Walian outfit secured all three points in cold and rainy conditions in the Welsh capital, further strengthening their hopes for Europe.
Cardiff Met kicked things off on the rainy afternoon, and almost immediately their right back for the day CJ Craven, who has had a terrific season thus far, got booked for what seemed like a harsh decision for a foul near the touchline. Craven did not take the decision well, and kept arguing with the referee in the following minutes. Noticing that his star player could be close to getting sent off in the opening stages of the game, Met manager Ryan Jenkins replaced him with the calm and composed Dixon Kabongo in only the 18th minute.
The following minutes were full of scratchy plays, physicality and soft fouls. With Craven departed and Kabongo playing right back, the fluidity of the Archers attack took a blow and they resorted to defending the Bala attacks. Eliot Evans and Lewis Rees, however, kept making some excellent inter-play passes, often finding Thomas Vincent in dangerous positions.
Met finished the half strong, with some big chances falling to Thomas Vincent and Emlyn Lewis in dangerous areas, but the Archers failed to score. Towards the end of the half, Met skipper Kyle McCarthy took a knock on his face, much to the displeasure of the Archers staff who pointed out that CJ Craven was booked under similar circumstances. However, no yellow card was awarded to the Bala player.
Immediately after the second half, Bala Town scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game in the 52nd minute, almost against the run of play, when George Newell put the ball past the line after getting a lucky rebound off Met goalie Alex Lang, whose save off a brilliant Paulo Mendes shot landed straight at the Bala no. 9’s feet.
The Archers pulled up their socks after conceding, creating some decent chances, especially in the 65th minute when Eliot Evans’ pass to Matthew Chubb in an abundance of space on the right seemed to be a definite goal. Chubbs’ shot was saved by the Bala goalie Kelland Absalom but the rebound went straight to Thomas Price’s feet, whose scuffed shot was miraculously saved by Absalom for a corner.
Met kept pushing in the final stages of the game, but the chances created could not be capitalized, especially by Thomas Vincent whose unlucky time in front of goal cost the Archers some points. Full time – Cardiff Met 0-1 Bala Town.
Cardiff Met FC
Alex Lang (GK), Matthew Chubb, Kyle McCarthy (C), Emlyn Lewis, Thomas Price, Eliot Evans, Lewis Rees, Joseph Evans, CJ Craven (Dixon Kabongo 18’), Barnaby Soady (Charles Bullock 69’), Thomas Vincent.
Yellow Cards – CJ Craven 4’
Bala Town FC
Kelland Absalom (GK), Iwan Roberts (Luke Wall 80’), Nathan Burke, George Newell (Joe Malkin 80’), Kieran Smith (C), Babarinde Abadaki (Ollie Shannon 90’), Aeron Edwards, Paulo Mendes, Ross White, Kyle Harrison, Naim Arsan.
Goal – George Newell 52’
Yellow Cards – Ollie Shannon 90+3’
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