Adam Roscrow has reflected on Cardiff Met’s dramatic European qualification, his bittersweet departure to AFC Wimbledon and his new chapter at Llantwit Major as he continues to develop as a coach alongside Jack Lyons in the Cardiff Met Academy.
The experienced striker has opened up on the highs and lows of his footballing journey, from helping Cardiff Met secure a historic European place to making the difficult decision to leave before he could experience the achievement alongside his team-mates.
The forward was part of the Cardiff Met side that finally reached Europe after a dramatic play-off final victory over Bala Town in 2019, with the contest settled by a penalty shoot-out following a hard-fought encounter.
However, while his former team-mates could experience a landmark moment in the club’s history, Roscrow had already embarked on a new challenge after securing a move to AFC Wimbledon, who were competing in the EFL League One at the time.
In an interview reflecting on his playing career, his return to Llantwit and his development in coaching, Roscrow discussed the sacrifices, experiences and different perspectives that have shaped his journey.
Adam Roscrow remembers Cardiff Met’s dramatic European qualification
For Cardiff Met, reaching Europe in 2019 was the culmination of years of trying to make the breakthrough, with the play-off final against Bala representing another opportunity after previous disappointments.
Roscrow admitted there were doubts heading into a third final, but the experience of narrowly missing out in the past gave the squad belief that their moment would eventually arrive.
“It was an incredible day,” he said. “When you go to your third play-off final, part of you is wondering, ‘Will it ever happen?’ But then a bigger part of you has that experience of narrowly missing out two years previously.
“You have it in the back of your mind. You kind of think that third one’s going to be the one.”
The final proved to be a tense occasion, with Roscrow recalling an early opportunity that saw him hit the post with a header from just a couple of yards out.
Despite that personal disappointment, Cardiff Met responded after falling behind, quickly finding an equaliser before taking the contest to penalties against a Bala side that had established itself as a strong force in the Cymru Premier.
The eventual victory provided a moment that Roscrow still remembers vividly, particularly the celebrations and journey home afterwards.
“The way the game unfolded and went to penalties kind of summed up how we were going to eventually qualify,” he said.
“I still remember quite a lot of the game, and especially the trip home. The memories around that were amazing.”
For a group containing several players who had spent years together, the achievement carried significance beyond the result itself.
Why Roscrow chose AFC Wimbledon over playing in Europe
While Cardiff Met celebrated and had an opportunity to play in Europe , Roscrow faced a difficult decision of his own.
An opportunity to join AFC Wimbledon in League One offered the chance to step into full-time professional football, but accepting the move meant missing out on the European campaign he had helped his team-mates reach.
Roscrow admitted the decision was bittersweet, having spent years chasing the opportunity with Cardiff Met.
“It was a tough decision because going to sign for Wimbledon or playing in Europe was something that we’d chased for a couple of years,” he explained.
“It was difficult, but I think in the end, when an EFL club and the chance to go and play professional football full-time comes knocking on the door, it’s probably slightly more difficult to push that back any longer.”
The move was facilitated by then-Wimbledon manager Wally Downes, who understood the significance of the decision facing the forward.
Roscrow recalled told that he could stay to play in Europe if he wished, but the opportunity to become a full-time professional was one he did not want to risk losing.
He also recognised the uncertainty that comes with a football career, particularly the possibility of an injury preventing another opportunity from arising.
“It was a little bit bittersweet not going to play in Europe,” he said.
Watching Cardiff Met’s achievement from a distance at Leckwith, Roscrow was delighted for his former team-mates, even if there was inevitably a sense of disappointment at not being part of the occasion.
European football has given Roscrow a different perspective as a coach
Although Roscrow never managed to make a European appearance as a player, he has since gained experience of the competition from the coaching side.
He explained that the contrast between his experiences as a player and his current role has helped him understand the challenges facing members of a squad who do not necessarily get onto the pitch.
Roscrow recalled sitting on the bench during European matches without getting the opportunity to play, giving him a personal understanding of the disappointment that can come with being left out.
“I think those experiences, it’d have been easy for me, in a coaching perspective, to say to the lads, ‘I know what you’re going through’,” he said.
“But actually, I think it’s more powerful that there’s lads on the bench that might not get on, and there’s lads that we’ve had to leave out of the squad. I’ve been there, I’ve been in that situation.”
He believes that experience can help him relate to players who are struggling with the disappointment of not being selected, offering a perspective that complements the experiences of coaches who have played in European matches.
Llantwit Major return offers a fresh challenge in the Cymru South
Roscrow’s move to Llantwit Major represented a return to familiar surroundings, with the opportunity arising after a phone call from Karl, who contacted him to discuss his plans.
The move came together quickly, with Roscrow explaining that he had signed within a week or two of the initial conversation.
Despite the appeal of returning closer to home, he has found the Cymru South to be a demanding competition, with Llantwit facing a challenge to climb away from the lower reaches of the table.
The club endured a difficult start to the season but have since picked up results, leaving Roscrow hopeful that a stronger run could help them move up the standings.
“We’ve got a decent side, we’ve got some really good players,” he said.
“I think that’s just the nature of that league. If we can get a few results and put them together, I’d like to think we move up the table.”
Alongside his playing commitments, Roscrow continues to work with Cardiff Met’s coaching staff, with the arrangement allowing him to spend more time on the training pitch and develop his understanding of the game.
He described the balance as a positive one, particularly given the demands of preparing for European fixtures.
Working alongside Jack Lyons has helped Roscrow develop as a coach
At Cardiff Met, Roscrow works alongside academy manager Jack Lyons and fellow coaches Eliot Evans and Ryan Reynolds, with the group bringing different experiences and perspectives to their work.
Roscrow was quick to praise Lyons’ attention to detail and dedication, describing him as a major influence behind the coaching operation.
Although Lyons has not played at the same level as some of his colleagues, Roscrow believes his understanding of the game and commitment to preparation are invaluable.
“Without buttering him up too much, he’s a lot of the brains behind what we do,” Roscrow said.
“Although I’ve played at a good level, I still learn every day from Jack and the way he goes about it.”
He added that the coaching staff were not afraid to challenge each other constructively, with differences of opinion helping them consider alternative approaches and prepare for the problems opponents might present.
For Roscrow, that combination of shared principles and differing perspectives has been particularly important as Cardiff Met continue to build on their recent achievements.
Roscrow pointed to the significance of the club becoming the first Welsh side to win a European tie and progress to the next round, crediting everyone involved rather than focusing solely on the coaching staff.
“The players have got to take everything on board and, without them, we wouldn’t have gone through,” he said.
For Roscrow, his journey now brings together the experiences of a player who has competed at professional level, the disappointment of missing out on a European milestone and the satisfaction of helping others prepare for those same challenges.
As he settles into life at Llantwit Major, his continued work with Cardiff Met offers the chance to put those lessons into practice, with Lyons and the wider coaching team working towards further success on the European stage.
