Cardiff Met retained their Adran Trophy crown with a 3-1 victory over Cardiff City, ending the Bluebirds’ chances of a treble.
Two first-half goals from Erin Murray and a second-half strike from Ellie Preece made it an afternoon to remember for the Archers. City got back to 2-1 with a penalty from Siobhan Walsh, but it wasn’t to be for them.
It only took 13 seconds for the Bluebirds to have their first sighter on goal. Phoebie Poole breaking the Met defensive line but put her effort wide of the mark.
City didn’t look under the cosh in the opening 15 minutes, but they handed the Archers a perfect opportunity to go in front, after Ffion Price bought down Erin Murray in the area. Murray stepped up and her effort was saved by Chamberlain. Somehow, the unflappable keeper managed to lose control of the ball and it ended up in the Met net. The crowd stunned at what they had just seen.
If their first goal had an element of luck, their second six minutes later was anything but. Makeshift wing-back Robyn Pinder played a well weighted through ball down the line for Ellie Preece to chase. The winger tricked and teased Siobhan Walsh before getting round her with ease. She sent in a low cross into the box where Murray was waiting to tap in.
This was the first time this season that City had been two goals down all season, and they weren’t looking their selves. Stray passes and wrong decisions frustrated their travelling supporters.
Met, on the other hand, were playing out of their skin. Tactically they were well set and every player knew their task and they were executing it to the best of their abilities, and they deservedly headed into the break in front.
The second 45 started quietly as Met had nine players behind the ball, with City unable to find a way through. Met could have had another after Preece beat the offside trap to go one-on-one with Chamberlain. She rounded the keeper, but Siobhan Walsh tracked back brilliantly and executed a well-timed sliding tackle to keep City in the contest.
With 20 minutes to go, a golden chance emerged for the Bluebirds. Rhianne Oakley raced in on goal and got clattered by an onrushing Amelia Forkings. Penalty given. Captain Marvel Walsh stepped up and thumped her effort into the net. Game on!
Oakley was a menace down the wing, but her crosses couldn’t be converted. Lily Billingham was then played through by Price, but as she bared down on goal, Tija Richardson came back and executed a goal saving tackle.
And what a tackle it proved to be, as twelve minutes from time Met found their third. Preece capitalised on a poor touch in the City defence, before composing herself and firing past Chamberlain.
City pushed for a winner through subs Zoe Atkins and Eliza Collie, but their comeback wasn’t forthcoming, as Met retained their crown.
Player of the Match: Ellie Preece
Defensive players like Steph Turner, Grace Corne, and Tiggi Webb deserve a mention, but without Preece, Met don’t win this game. Her pace, her trickery, her knack of being there at the right time, a simply stunning display
Cardiff Met
Amelia Forkings (GK), Robyn Pinder, Sophie Davidson, Grace Corne, Steph Turner (C), Sophie Hancocks, Tiggi Webb, Tija Richardson, Erin Murray, Emily Allen, Ellie Preece
Unused Subs: Charlotte Smith, Evie Griffiths, Eve Pearson, Roby Colleton, Annabel Carr
Goals: Erin Murray (15’ p, 22’), Ellie Preece (78’)
Yellow Cards: Robyn Pinder (56’), Amelia Forkings (66’)
Cardiff City
Ceryn Chamberlain (GK), Ffion Price, Hannah Power, Siobhan Walsh (C), Rhianne Oakley, Seren Watkins, Danielle Broadhurst, Danielle Green, Phoebie Poole, Meg Bowen (Eliza Collie, 86’), Lily Billingham (Zoe Atkins, 77’)
Unused Subs: Emily Roberts, Manon Pearce, Mikayla Cook
Goals: Siobhan Walsh (68’ p)
Yellow Cards: Seren Watkins (90’)
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