Cardiff Metropolitan University got their Cymru Premier campaign off to the perfect start with a 3-2 comeback win over Aberystwyth Town at Park Avenue
Despite twice falling behind, a goal from key man Eliot Evans and a double from new signing Ollie Hulbert was enough to secure a dramatic, late win for the Archers.
The result will be difficult to take for Aberystwyth Town manager Gavin Allen in his first competitive game in charge, as goals from summer recruits Jonathan Evans and Rhys Davies had the Seasiders leading twice.
Both sides started brightly, as the game began at a high tempo, with both sides pressing high.
Aberystwyth Town tried to get in behind the Cardiff Metropolitan defence early on with balls over the top from Harri Rowe and Jack Rimmer.
After the Archers’ defence initially dealt with the danger, Jonathan Evans found space to open the scoring in the 11th minute.
The summer signing from Penrhyncoch was free on the right to cut inside past Bradley Woolridge and fire a superb left-footed effort into the top corner to give the Black and Greens the lead.
Cardiff Metropolitan responded well to going a goal down, with Liam Warman looking sharp on the right wing as he won a corner in reply to the Seasiders’ goal.
The Archers again pushed for an equaliser, as Aber left-back Harri Rowe’s clearing header was met on the volley by Charlie Corsby, whose effort was saved by Alex Pennock.
The hosts looked to break on the counter attack, with Steff Davies running the channels well.
The striker, who signed for the club from Penrhyncoch this summer, did well to outmuscle Kyle McCarthy and send a cross into the Cardiff Met box, but the Archers’ defence dealt with his delivery well and cleared the danger.
It was then Cardiff Met’s turn to go close, as Warman met a low cross into the box with a powerful volley past the post.
A minute before the half-time break, Archers goalkeeper Alex Lang pulled off a superb save to deny Jamie Veale his first Aberystwyth Town goal.
The midfielder, who signed for the club from Merthyr Town, fired a free-kick goalwards, only for Lang to tip his effort onto the bar.
As Christian Edwards’ side chased an equaliser early in the second half, it was Warman who was the Archers’ main threat, as the winger’s pace won a succession of corners for the visitors.
Eliot Evans, who scored nine goals in the Cymru Premier last season, threaded a shrewd ball through to striker Harry Warwick, whose effort at goal was blocked well by Aberystwyth Town captain Marc Williams.
Evans was again involved in the Archers’ attack, as he found Warwick free on the right to fire a low cross into the box.
The Seasiders’ goalkeeper Pennock parried into the path of Eliot Evans, who slotted home in the 67th minute to equalise and record his first goal of the new Cymru Premier campaign.
Similarly to Cardiff Met’s positive response to conceding in the first half, Aberystwyth Town immediately attacked the Archers’ defence.
It took just five minutes for Allen’s side to re-gain the lead, as substitute Davies, who signed for the club this summer from Hereford, found space on the left side of the box.
The left-back, who was operating further forward when introduced, fired a low effort past Alex Lang to put the Seasiders 2-1 up.
As the pattern of the game followed suit once again, the Archers responded to going behind and put the home side under pressure.
Visiting striker Ollie Hulbert, who only signed for the club yesterday, took centre stage as the Archers turned the game on its head.
With just seven minutes left to play, a long throw-in was flicked on and Hulbert reacted quickest to hook the ball past Pennock and equalise for a second time for the away side.
In a dramatic end to the game, Hulbert rose highest in the box to head a cross in off the post and win the opening day clash with just five minutes left on the clock.
Aberystwyth Town will be looking to bounce back from the defeat when they travel to Penybont on Tuesday night, while Cardiff Metropolitan University host Haverfordwest County.
Aberystwyth Town: Alex Pennock, Harri Rowe, Lee Jenkins, Sam Barnes, Jamie Veale, Marc Williams, Stefan Davies, Jonathan Evans, Gwion Owen (George Harry, 88) Owain Jones (Rhys Davies, 56), Jack Rimmer.
Goals: Jonathan Evans 13, Rhys Davies 72′
Yellow Cards: Jamie Veale 30, Harri Rowe 57’
Cardiff Metropolitan: Alex Lang, Dylan Rees, Kyle McCarthy (Matt Chubb, 81) Brad Woolridge, Eliot Evans, Chris Baker, Harry Warwick, Charlie Corsby, Ollie Hulbert, Rhydian Morgan, Liam Warman.
Goals: Eliot Evans, Ollie Hulbert 83, 86’
Yellow Cards: Harry Warwick 30, Liam Warman 38
(Featured Image: Colin Ewart)
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