Welsh League Division One - Monmouth Town 0 Cardiff Met University 0

AFTER a much needed win against Caerau Ely, Monmouth Town welcomed high flyers Cardiff Met University to the Sportsground last Wednesday (26th April). The Kingfishers sat tenth in Welsh League Division One, one point off of the relegation zone with their opposition in second place, needing three points to gain promotion. Manager Andrew Smith made two changes to his side that edged past Caerau Ely with the returning Elliot Ford for Nick Harrhy. Smith also brought in youngster Mitchell Palmer for the injured Callum Porter.

Cardiff started the game positively, attacking Monmouth with great intensity. The visitors had a great opportunity to take the lead after one minute when their winger floated a ball into the box. Jack Alderdice headed it away but it fell to a Met player on the edge of the box who took a touch and drilled his shot, but it went just wide of the post.

Cardiff continued to dominate early on and had numerous half chances. The Kingfishers managed to weather the storm and had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 25th minute when Luke Cleaves whipped an inviting cross into the box towards the Cardiff keeper. With the goalkeeper dropping it, the ball fell out to the Town’s target man Richard Greaves, who shot first time but it was heroically blocked off the line. The Kingfishers continued to trouble the students and could have easily broken the deadlock when Elliot Ford was fouled on the edge of the box. Dan Macdonald stepped up to take it but his free kick went just over the bar.

The Kingfisher’s started the second half like they ended the first, always looking to set their attacking players away in the final third. It was Cardiff who had the first chance of the second half, when their winger beat his man and went down the by-line, squaring it to his teammate but he lacked any composure and his shot went over the bar. Cardiff managed to hold off Monmouth’s pressure and had a spell of their own. When Jacob Guy fouled a Met player on the edge of the box in the 55th minute, Cardiff had a chance, but the free kick went agonisingly wide.

The students continued to dominate and frustrated Monmouth playing their possession styled football. Met had a penalty claim in the 70th minute when their winger went past Luke Cleaves. Cleaves shoulder barged the Met player, but the ref waved play on.

Met continued to have the entire ball but the Kingfishers could have took the lead when Dan Macdonald ran at Cardiff’s defence. With time and space, he floated a ball into the box, finding Elliot Ford at the back post who headed it, but his header lacked any conviction and power and went straight at the keeper.

Both teams continued to battle through the elements with them both searching for a winner. The students could have nicked a late winner in the 89th minute when their winger played a one-two with his teammate and shot but his shot lacked any accuracy and went way over the bar.

Manager Andrew Smith described the game as a “good battling performance.” He said: “I thought we defended well throughout the game but we didn’t create enough chances to win the game, but I thought it was a well-earned point.”

After a well-earned point at home, Monmouth lost 2-1 away at Briton Ferry on Saturday (30th April).

The Kingfisher’s last league game is on the 6th May, away to Aberdare Town, with the Kingfisher’s needing three points to avoid the drop.