Merthyr Town suffered a heavy defeat to Europa League play-off finalists Cardiff Metropolitan University this afternoon at Cardiff Metropolitan’s Cyncoed Campus.
Gavin William’s men succumbed to a 3-0 loss to the Welsh Premier League side this afternoon in what was a competitive match between the two sides.
The hosts began the game on the front foot as midfielder Chris Baker had time to pull his shot away but it would go over the bar.
The Archers continued their early dominance as Eliot Evans swung a corner in on the right-hand side which was met by the head of centre-back Emlyn Lewis who headed wide.
Merthyr though had their own chance as both sides looked to break the deadlock and Ian Traylor pulled off a powerful shot from outside the box which forced a save from goalkeeper Will Fuller.
After grabbing a brace in midweek in Merthyr’s 3-0 victory over Welsh League side Penybont, Traylor tried to break down a strong Archers defence as his free-kick on half way was headed away by the tall Emlyn Lewis.
Stuart Fleetwood would show his Football League experience with an audacious over-the-head back-heel pass as he tried to play in Jaye Bowen.
Dr Christian Edward’s men used the flanks to their advantage as Kyle McCarthy hit a low cross along the floor which ended up at the feet of Adam Roscrow after being able to turn away from the defender, he pulled his shot away but it went over the bar and behind for a goal-kick.
Former Hereford captain Joel Edwards also was close to open the scoring as his cross would go across the goal, awaiting a connection from a Met player.
It was the home side who would open the scoring as Eliot Evans showed great hold-up play which allowed him to play in Adam Roscrow who slid the ball into the net to make it 1-0 to the Met.
After going 1-0 ahead they almost doubled their lead after a neat passage of play between Chris Baker and Jordan Lam would allow Lam to break down the right-flank but his across wasn’t met by a team mate.
The first half ended with the home side going in with a 1-0 lead in what was a fairly-even first half between Cardiff and Merthyr.
HALF TIME
CMUFC 1-0 MTFC
Both sides came out for the second half and Met would continue as they did in the first as they doubled their lead through a well-worked goal through winger Jordan Lam.
Chris Baker and Eliot Evans would link-up well to play in Adam Roscrow who would deliver a low pass to the feet of Lam who shrugged off the defenders to grab Met’s second.
Merthyr did show some a kind reaction after going two down as Ricky Fowler saw his dipping shot go just over the cross-bar before Kyle Copp would force Will Fuller into an instinctive save to reduce the deficit.
Centre-back Lewis Baldwin also went close as he was able to pull off a low-shot from a well-delivered corner from Ian Traylor who was Merthyr’s most creative player this afternoon.
Despite the score-line, on reflection the game was a good run-out for both sides with Merthyr maintaining a majority of their first-half side and no real second-half changes. The hosts showed their fitness levels and structure despite a number of substitutions by holding possession well.
An un-named player for Merthyr wearing the 22 shirt forced Met into another save as he got his head on the end of a free-kick which would result in a corner. From the resulting corner, a triailst for Merthyr forced Met captain Bradley Woolridge into a goal-line clearance.
After some close chances from Merthyr, it was Met to wrap the game up and seal the game as Jordan Lam’s cross found Adam Roscrow whose shot hit the post and fly in off the back of the trialist goalkeeper.
Ben Watkins who spent time last season with Abergavenny Town forced Fuller into another save as Merthyr looked to clawed one back with a cross-hit shot.
It was end-to-end stuff from that attack though as from the save the home side beat the offside trap as Kyle McCarthy beared down on goal try to grab a fourth for Met but his shot was saved before a Merthyr defender stopped Roscrow from claiming the match-ball as the ball was tipped over the crossbar.
The referee brought the game to a close with the Archers claiming victory this time round after suffering defeat to the Martyr’s last year in pre-season.
POST-MATCH ANALYSIS
Merthyr’s real attacks came from outside the box as Traylor caused the most problems for the home side but forward Stuart Fleetwood would have felt isolated for a majority of the match as the Met defence held firm.
Gavin William’s side did show some attacking intent as a number of corners had to be dealt with but Met goalkeeper Will Fuller dealt with them cleanly.
The Martyr’s now travel to Welsh League Division One side Llanelli Town as they come up against former Bristol City and Swansea City striker Lee Trundle.
(Featured Image: Andrew Evans)