by Ethan Harris
GOALS from Matt Neale and Dion Phillips helped Cardiff Met earn a draw against USW, as Danny Williams and Joe Evans finished for the visitors.
USW struck first, Williams picking out Louis Gerrard with a scathing through ball, the forward cutting inside before curling an effort past the post.
The home side showed their experience, Bradley Woolridge firing a ball through to forward Adam Roscrow as the Welsh Premier League outfits linked down the left-hand side.
Roscrow used his pace to fire a bobbling ball towards goal, but ‘keeper Ashley Morris was equal to the effort.
The home side would be the ones to strike first, however.
Roscrow was again involved in the build-up, sprinting down the right wing to fire a cross into the area.
Neale burst into the centre of the box, slipping a header into the goal to put Met one up.
USW were not to be disheartened, despite their setback.
Just after the half-hour mark Kane Owen struck a thunderbolt, controlling a clearance and striking his effort straight after his touch, only for the ball to whizz slightly over the crossbar.
With a long injury setback, the break saw the home side lose their concentration.
Conceding a penalty straight after the restart, it was up to Williams to equalise.
The striker forced a good save out of ‘keeper Alex Lang, but he was no match for the rebound which was calmly slotted home by the wide-man to end the half.
The restart saw the momentum stay with the visitors.
Owen played a challenging ball into the area, only for the scraps to fall to Mikey George, but the midfielder had to watch as his effort ripple the side netting.
The Archers took time to settle into the second half, but nearly broke through in the 59th minute.
Neale found space on the edge of the area after some good build-up play between the defence. His effort lacked the pace it needed to beat Morris, who calmly collected the effort.
Gerrard began to carry his side forward soon after. With an excellent first touch to break away from his defender, he slipped through a pass to a breaking George.
The midfield-man attempted a curled effort to the right of Lang, but the stoppers’ reflexes were quick as he got low to collect the ball.
But it would soon turn sour for the midfielder because after a conversation with his assistants, the referee showed George red for dissent, leaving the visitors a man short for the remainder of the game.
Once again however, they showed their fight.
With ten minutes left on the clock, a short corner whipped in by Owen struck the crossbar, falling straight into the path of Evans who slammed USW into the lead – despite their man disadvantage.
The Archers were not fazed though and found an equaliser soon after the restart.
Another scrappy cross fell to Phillips and the substitute made no mistake with virtually an open net to aim for.
With USW digging in deep, the home side couldn’t find another way through. The game finished with both sides sharing the spoils.
