Cardiff Met and Aberystwyth Town played out a 0-0 draw in Cyncoed, as the Adran Premier’s bottom two sides couldn’t find a winner.
In a game that lacked real quality, Aberystwyth shaded it in terms of chances, but they simply couldn’t put the ball past Charlotte Smith in the Cardiff Met goal.
As we take a look back at today’s game, here are the three stars who shined.
Libby Isaac
For those football purists who believe strongly in squad numbers, seeing a number nine playing at centre-back can be more than a little off-putting, but Isaac is not your normal centre-back.
It’s hard to believe that she once played as a striker in this Aber team, because at the back, she is imperious. Today, up against a tricky customer in India Shanahan, Isaac dealt with her superbly. From a mental standpoint, she always looked one step ahead. Whether she would drop off her slightly or have that yard of pace, and maybe the fact that she’s been an attacker helps her in those situations.
Isaac also adds a really interesting dynamic to the Aber defence as a whole. The Seasiders have always had a reputation for being robust, tough, and hard to break down. Isaac can do all those things, but she can also bring the ball out so calmly and have those forward-thinking instincts.
If you look up the definition of ‘a Rolls-Royce defender’, you will find a picture of Isaac attached to it.
Cardiff Met 0-0 Aberystwyth Town: Goalless draw for Adran Premier’s bottom two
Imi Scourfield
In many ways, I thought this was a real coming of age game for Scourfield.
What was fascinating was seeing her battle in the middle of the park with her opposition, Niamh Duggan. Both Duggan and Scourfield formed a solid partnership in the midfield for Aber last season, but now the former has moved on to the Archers, it was great to see that battle unfold, and it was one Scourfield got the better of.
Physically, she outmuscled Duggan, and was able to push her way to the ball time and time again. Coupled with that physicality, there’s a finesse to Scourfield. Feint touches, excellent movement, bursts of speed, she really was the all-round package. So much so, as the game went on, Duggan got more frustrated and had to be moved away from Scourfield for the final 30 minutes of the game.
In this new system under Chris Church, this is a real opportunity for Scourfield to make a name for herself.
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Shauna Chambers
Chambers only made two league appearances for Aberystwyth last season, but you can tell immediately her importance to this team.
Technically, Chambers is assured. Someone who is willing to drive out of midfield and try and aid the attack. For the likes of Amy Jenkins and Lleucu Mathias, having someone like Chambers in behind spraying passes must be a dream.
Perhaps the most impressive part of Chambers’ game is just how vocal she is. She can order players to go to their positions, she can command others to make certain runs, and more often than not, her teammates listen to her. But she is also always the first to praise and encourage her team. Even when she was substituted on the hour mark, you could still hear her on the bench pushing her team forward.
For Church, having someone like Chambers on the pitch be his eyes and ears is so vital.
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