Three Points In The Capital, As The New Saints Defeat Cardiff Metropolitan University 1-0

Match Report

Substitutions: Draper for Ebbe (77), Mullan for Cieslewicz (80), Clark for Holland (82)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image by Adam Evans

The New Saints moved six points clear in the JD Cymru Premier after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Cardiff Metropolitan University.

After a tight first-half at Cyncoed Campus, it was an own goal by Met’s Liam Black which ultimately made the difference, as Scott Ruscoe’s side picked up their first win at the home of the Archers since March 2017.

It was almost the worst possible start for The Saints, who could’ve been a goal down with just two minutes gone. It was Elliott Evans who tried his luck with a curling effort from outside the box, but much to the relief of Paul Harrison in goal, it came back out after striking the upright.

At the other end, just three minutes later, Robles attempted a curling strike of his own, but there was too much pace on the ball and it went behind for a goal kick.

Despite the closely matched nature of the game, there was little in terms of goalmouth action for either side in the first period.

It was The Saints who had the best chance of the half though with 25 minutes played, as Robles went one on one with the goalkeeper. Despite shifting the ball to his left foot to improve the angle, he couldn’t get enough power on the ball, and the save was an easy one for Alex Lang in the end.

Following the restart, it was the hosts who had the first chance of the half with four minutes gone. After twisting away from his marker inside the box, Evans watched his shot flash across the face of goal and fall agonisingly wide of the post.

However, the deadlock was finally broken just three minutes later and it was The New Saints who were celebrating the goal.

A corner from Leo Smith caused problems in the middle for the Archers’ defence and Liam Black was the unlucky man, getting the unfortunate touch to divert it past the goalkeeper and into his own net to open the scoring. 1-0.

And with 58 minutes played, Ruscoe’s side would have doubled their lead were it not for great work by Alex Lang. The home goalkeeper got a strong hand onto Smith’s free-kick, tipping it onto the crossbar and the ball was scrambled to safety.

The Saints kept up the pressure in the final 30 minutes, with Smith again going close, before Blaine Hudson narrowly missed the target with a towering header.

Still the lead was just a single goal though, and with nine minutes to play, Simon Spender was called into action, as the Wales under-21 international made a crucial block to prevent Ollie Hulbert from snatching an equaliser.

It was a nervy end to the game, as the fourth official held up four minutes of additional time on his board, but The Saints put in a professional display to see out the closing stages and claim all three points.