Cascade recorded a huge Adran Trophy shock, as they knocked out two-time champions Cardiff Met, beating them 1-0 at home.
After making a slow start, Cascade really came into their own and dominated their opponents in every area of the pitch. The only goal of the game came ten minutes before the break, as Chrystella Moreton headed in from a corner.
The Adran South side, and the only second tier club left in the competition, will discover their next opponents later this week.
Cascade made five changes from the side that were defeated by Penybont in the Adran South last weekend. Amongst the names to return to the line-up were former Pontypridd United defender Clare Daley and forward Ellis Lunn.
Interim Met boss Chris Baker made six changes from their last game, which was a 4-0 defeat away to Swansea City. Niamh Duggan and India Shanahan were two of the six dropped to the bench.
The opening few minutes gave us an indication of how both sides looked to approach this game. Met wanted to play a tidy style of football, but sometimes seemed to force the issue rather than be patient.
Cascade, on the other hand, were content to sit back in their defensive shape and sweep up anything that tried to be played behind them, and then launch a counter on the Archers.
When Met did find their composure, they did open up the Adran South side. Ruby Colleton failed to turn in an inviting cross from the right, before Faith Mulenga couldn’t convert a one-on-one chance, seeing her effort saved magnificently by Bethan Connolly instead.
The longer the game remained level, the more confidence Cascade were getting. Ellis Lunn chopped and weaved her way into the box before trying to strike at the near post, but she saw the ball ripple the side netting instead.
Some fans thought the hosts had taken the lead, but minutes later, they would be up celebrating a legitimate goal. Katie Davies’ floated corner found the head of Chrystella Moreton, who guided the ball expertly into the far corner.
Some brave defending from Cascade towards the end of the half saw them hold onto their lead heading into the break. Were they on the cusp of knocking out the two-time Adran Trophy champions?
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Having scored one in the first half, Moreton came very close to adding another to her collection early in the second half. It was another corner that she got her head onto, and this time it looked destined to nestle in the top corner, but Carys Gittins pulled out a miraculous save to keep the deficit at one.
Despite being the higher ranked side, Met looked incapable of moutning any sort of pressure. Any attack often fizzled out with a poor pass or a wayward shot, and it resorted in a few of the squad beginning to argue with each other on the pitch.
Cascade tried to take advantage, and probably should have stretched their lead on two occasions. Firstly, Met stood still when a free kick from deep came into their territory, and that allowed Holly Hughes to run clean through, but she could only poke the ball wide. Then Lunn tired her luck from outside the box, but she saw the ball smack off the post.
Met really had nothing to cheer about, but they were presented with a golden chance to equalise with five minutes remaining. Substitute India Shanahan was released clean through into the box with only the keeper to beat, but somehow, she skied her effort well over the bar.
That miss proved to be the costly one. Cascade saw out the game in a professional manner and seal a priceless victory.
Player of the Match: Erin Parry
Parry was the real definition of a box-to-box midfielder today. Going forward she looked assured and was able to link up with those around her effortlessly. She was also stellar when it came to doing her defensive duties and extinguished a lot of fires in the middle of the park.
Cascade
Bethan Connolly, Lucia Carpanini, Casey Thomas, Clare Daley, Erin Parry, Katie Davies ©, Ellis Lunn, Anneliese Lewis, Holly Hughes (Megan Waite 85’), Olivia Townsend (Vicky Beddows 70’), Chrystella Moreton
Unused subs: Mia Kemp, Ruby Lewis, Chrissy Kidley
Goals: Chrystella Moreton (35’)
Yellows: Chrystella Moreton (27’)
Cardiff Met
Carys Gittins, Number 2 (Anna Houghton 46’), Sophie Davidson, Samantha Dziminowicz, Cerys Pinchard ©, Maddison Coles, Number 7, Sally Grimm, Molly Chapman (India Shanahan 62’), Ruby Colleton (Gwenllian Jones 80’), Faith Mulenga
Unused subs: Charlotte Smith, Niamh Duggan
Yellows: Cerys Pinchard (39’), Maddison Coles (76’)
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