Cardiff City broke their four-match losing run against Met by drawing 2-2 with them at the Cardiff City Stadium.
After Lauren Hutton Townsend put Met ahead with a remarkable free kick, a double from Zoe Atkins put City on their way to victory. However, Erin Murray drew the Archers level, but neither side could find a winner.
Met needed to win today in order to keep the title race alive. As a result of today’s game, Swansea City are crowned the inaugural Adran Premier Champions
The opening half hour didn’t offer much in terms of chances. Both sides were happy to keep the ball with neither showing any cutting edge when it came to the final third.
Just after the 30-minute mark, the referee awarded a free kick to Met, after Laura-May Walkley was fouled, a decision which did seem rather soft. Lauren Hutton Townsend stepped up to take the free kick, and with the aid of the underside of the crossbar, got the ball over the line, to put Met ahead.
City, however, certainly looked like the better team throughout the half, getting into promising areas but just not picking out the right player. But two minutes before half time, they were rewarded for their efforts and got themselves level. Amy Williams made space for herself on the flank, and her cross looped over the heads of the Met defenders and ending up at the feet of Zoe Atkins. She managed to prod her effort past Charlotte Smith and we were level at half time.
Three minutes after the restart the Bluebirds had their second. Captain Siobhan Walsh played a great ball over the defence and the Met players were bewildered that the flag had not gone up for offside. Instead, Atkins showed great composure to run onto the ball and slot it past Smith, and for the first time this season, City were leading Met.
But the game took another turn in the 64th minute. A poor goal kick from Chamberlain was headed back by Walkley into the path of Erin Murray, and the striker produced an exquisite lob over the backpedalling Chamberlain to get the game back to 2-2.
Yet, Atkins could’ve had a hat-trick five minutes later. This time Danielle Green delivered a cross, but Atkins’ powerful headed cannoned back off the underside of the bar and away.
Met then went close again. Hutton Townsend cut back on the edge of the box and her curling effort somehow clipped the post, before the ball ran across the goal line, but the scores remained level.
And level is how it finished. Both sides attacked until the end but both defences were on top form and thwarted each other, and both sides, with now nothing to play for in the league, will shift their focus to the cup final on the 24th of April.
Player of the Match: Zoe Atkins
Honourable mentions to Amy Williams and Siobhan Walsh but Atkins’ double was crucial today. Her off the ball work was admirable too and she didn’t deserve to be on the losing side today.
Cardiff City
Ceryn Chamberlain (GK), Ffion Price, Hannah Daley, Siobhan Walsh ©, Emily Bayliss (Sophie Norman, 83’), Danielle Broadhurst, Zoe Atkins, Lily Billingham (Eliza Collie, 72’), Danielle Green (Mikayla Cook, 75’), Amy Williams, Megan Saunders
Unused Subs: Amelia Forkings (GK), Lara Watts
Goals: Zoe Atkins (43’, 48’)
Yellow Cards: Danielle Green (67’)
Cardiff Met
Charlotte Smith (GK), Amy Long (Shannon Evans, 73’), Lucy Finch, Tija Richardson, Steph Turner © (Hannah Mills, 88’), Sophie Hancocks, Emily Allen, Laura-May Walkley, Erin Murray, Lauren Hutton Townsend, Elianna Chavez
Unused Subs: Jessica Rees (GK), Ellie Preece, Emily Richards
Goals: Lauren Hutton Townsend (32’), Erin Murray (64’)
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