JD Cymru Premier – Phase 1
Cardiff Metropolitan University 2 - Haverfordwest County 0
Cardiff Metropolitan secured victory against Haverfordwest County in a hard-fought clash played under lights at Cyncoed Campus in a bitterly cold Friday evening in front of the Sgorio tv cameras, with former Bluebird Alaric Jones playing well at the heart of the students' defence.
An early penalty by Lewis Rees and another goal in stoppage time by Sam Lewis saw the Archers move to third in the table whilst the Bluebirds are eighth.
In the eighth minute the hosts were awarded a penalty after pressure inside the visitors’ box led to defender Rhys Abbruzzese tripping up skipper Chris Baker. Up stepped Lewis Rees, who confidently sent Lee Idzi the wrong way with a smart left-footed finish.
In the 27th minute goal scorer Rees struck the side netting, at the other end Jordan Davies’ low cross just evaded the outstretched Ben Fawcett.
After the break, this affair was still tight,and Ioan Evans blocked Dixon Kabongo’s shot, but midway through the second period the visitors had a strong penalty appeal turned down.
Kabango missed a sitter with an open goal as the striker rolled his effort agonisingly wide, a real let-off for the Bluebirds
The visitors created chances to level matters as teenager Iori Humphries’ deflected header flew wide and Abbruzzesse’s rising shot, summed up their evening.
Sam Jones sealed victory in stoppage time, as he latched onto a long ball, cut in from the right, looped the ball over a defender, struck a shot that rebounded off Idzi and he followed up to score with his second bite of the cherry.
Cardiff Metropolitan University: Alex Lang, Matthew Chubb, Kyle McCarthy, Alaric Jones, Emlyn Lewis, Christopher Baker (Captain), Lewis Rees, Harry Owen (82’ Eliot Evans), Christopher Craven, Dixon Kabongo, Sam Jones.
Substitutes not used: Maz Manson, Thomas Price, Kian Williams, Charles Bullock, Elliot Humphries.
Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi, Iori Humphreys, Rhys Abbruzzese, Ricky Watts, Corey Shephard (Captain), Jamie Veale, Henry Jones (45’ Ioan Evans), Ben Fawcett, Jordan Davies, Jack Wilson (71’ Ryan George), Elliott Dugan (60’ Harri John).
Substitutes: Zac Jones, Lucas Davies, Ivan Watkins.
Referee: Thomas Owen.
Assistants: Harry Hendricks & James Sheils.
Fourth Official: Craig Greenstock.