The New Saints defeat Cardiff Met University 3-1 to reach JD Welsh Cup round four

Match Report

Goals: Brobbel (34), J. Williams (37, 89)
Yellow cards: D. Williams (45), Clark (62)
Substitutions: Smith for Brobbel (49), Oteh for McManus (53), Holden for Clark (63), Cieslewicz for D. Williams (63)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints booked their place in the fourth round of the JD Welsh Cup following a 3-1 victory against Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Craig Harrison’s side had to come from behind to do so, but an individual goal from Ryan Brobbel, plus a Jordan Williams brace, made it a good afternoon’s work in the capital.

It was an evenly-matched start to the game and both sides were struggling to retain possession in the early stages.

With seven minutes played, the first chance went the way of Cardiff Met, as Dixon Kabongo fired over from the edge of the penalty area.

Two minutes later, the visitors had their first sight of goal, but after getting on the end of Jordan Williams’ cross from the right, Declan McManus fired wide from inside the penalty area.

In the 29th minute, Craig Harrison’s side were knocking on the door again, but Danny Redmond’s inviting cross from the left evaded everyone inside the penalty area, before drifting harmlessly behind for a goal kick.

Just a minute later though, the game’s opening goal eventually did arrive, but it was the Archers who were celebrating it.

Despite Connor Roberts making a good initial save to deny Joel Edwards, the rebound fell kindly at the back post, giving Thomas Vincent the chance to tap home from two yards out.

Cardiff Met’s lead would prove to be short-lived though, as with 34 minutes on the clock, The Saints were back on terms.

After collecting the ball 25 yards from goal, Ryan Brobbel beat three home defenders to create space in the box, before showing good composure to fire past Alex Lang.

It proved to be turning point in the match, as just three minutes later, The New Saints were on target again.

Racing onto Josh Daniels’ ball down the right, Ben Clark picked out Jordan Williams with a cross of his own, and the number 17 slid home to give his side the lead.

With the introduction of a number of substitutes, things took a while to get going again following the half-time break, but Ash Baker did test Lang in the home goal with a 51st minute headed effort.

Ten minutes later, Matthew Chubb worked Roberts with a header of his own, before substitute, Adrian Cieslewicz, curled wide at the other end of the pitch.

In the 78th minute, Jordan Williams almost scored his second of the afternoon, but Lang pulled off a good save to turn his effort around the post.

From the resulting corner, Josh Pask headed narrowly wide as The Saints looked to cement their advantage.

Ten minutes from time though, the home side almost grabbed an equaliser, but despite beating Roberts with a curling effort, Ryan Reynolds was denied by the far post.

The Students’ quest to get back into the game was then made harder three minutes later, as Joel Edwards was shown a straight red card following a lunge on Daniels.

With the home side battling to force penalties, it could’ve been a potentially cagey finish at Cyncoed, but in the 89th minute, Jordan Williams made sure of the victory with a drilled finish into the bottom corner from just inside the penalty area.

It was another tough test for the JD Cymru Premier champions, but they came through unscathed to record a 3-1 victory, booking their place in the next round of the competition in the process.

The Saints head back to South Wales this coming Wednesday, as they play their rearranged JD Cymru Premier fixture against Briton Ferry Llansawel.

Kick-off at the Old Road Welfare Ground is scheduled for 7:45pm.