Cardiff Met and Aberystwyth Town drew 0-0 in a frustrating Adran Premier matchup at Cyncoed.
Chances were very much at a premium, as both sides struggled to create anything in front of goal. Throughout the contest, Aber looked the more likely to score, but they could only muster half chances at best.
The result leaves both as they were before heading into this game; Met in seventh and Aber bottom.
Met interim manager Chris Baker elected to make three changes from the side that lost 5-1 at home to Barry Town last time out. Among the names to return were goalkeeper Charlotte Smith, and former Aber player Niamh Duggan.
Chris Church made two changes to his Aberystwyth team that lost 3-1 at home to Wrexham last weekend. Chelsea Herbert replaced Sophie Steele in goal, while Shuana Chambers returned to the XI in place of Modlen Gwynne.
Both teams came into this matchday five fixture winless, and you could sense the tension around Cyncoed.
When it came to style of play, there were contrasts between both the Archers and the Seasiders. For hosts Met, they were more than happy to pass the ball about and try and drag Aber players out of position. But for the visitors, they were playing a more counter press system and were finding brief moments of success.
But one similar trait was true for the league’s bottom two sides, and that was a panic and unsureness when entering the final third.
No one was able to find that crucial final pass, no one was able to make that goal making movement in and around the penalty area, and no one looked like they wanted to take the goal scoring mantle.
The two best opportunities of the half did, however, fall to Aber. Imi Scourfield’s shot from range, and Rebecca Mathias’ effort, were both saved well by Charlotte Smith, but at the break, a draw was a more than fair outcome.
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Most of the crowd at Cyncoed would have hoped that the second half would offer more in the way of attacking chances, but they would be left disappointed by more tepidness in front of goal.
Again, it was Aberystwyth who were creating the best chances, but even then, they were half chances at best. Lleucu Mathias struck over after Met failed to clear a corner, while substitute Jess Baker failed to get the ball past Smith at the near post.
As the final whistle blew, there was a collective sigh around this small area of Cardiff. Aber would have felt like they could, and maybe should, have taken all three points, but there were positives for them moving forward.
But for Met, it was a performance that left a lot to be desired. Two seasons ago, they were title contenders and winning trophies at will. Those all-conquering teams and their winning mentalities have faded away, and now, they are well and truly in a relegation fight.
Next for both teams is the first round of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup. Met will be at home to fellow Adran Premier side Barry Town, while Aberystwyth Town travel north to take on Adran North outfit Rhyl.
Player of the Match: Libby Isaac
It’s still hard to believe Isaac used to play as a forward, because she is quite simply a terrific centre-back.
What made her standout today was her positioning. It always looked like she was one step ahead of all the Met forwards, and that meant she could cut lines quickly or make a superb recovery tackle in a blink of an eye.
Cardiff Met
Charlotte Smith, Anna Houghton (Number 16 72’), Sophie Davidson, Samantha Dziminowicz, Cerys Pinchard ©, Niamh Duggan, Sally Grimm (Molly Chapman 72’), Number 8 (Sophie Topper 46’), India Shanahan, Chelsea Cochrane, Faith Mulenga
Unused subs: Gwenllian Jones
Yellows: India Shanahan (85’)
Aberystwyth Town
Chelsea Herbert, Josie Pugh, Rebecca Mathias, Lily Moralee-Hughes, Lleucu Mathias, Imi Scourfield, Libby Isaac, Shauna Chambers (Modlen Gwynne 59’), Bethan Roberts, Maria Ewers (Hannah Davies 75’), Amy Jenkins © (Jess Baker 68’)
Unused subs: Sophie Steele, Ffiona Evans
Yellows: Lily Moralee-Hughes (35’)
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