Report: High-flying USW Men’s 4th are derby day victors

by Richard Early

Cardiff University 5th 1 – 2 University of South Wales 4th

Date: Wednesday December 6, 2017

Venue: Cardiff University Sports Fields, Cardiff

In a top versus bottom clash University of South Wales 4^th came away 1-2 victors against Cardiff University 5^th.  The result means that USW remain top of the league on 16 points.

It did not take long for favourites, USW to open the scoring as after nine minutes a cross from Redd Pratley was hammered home by Toby John from around six-yards, to make the score 0-1. The team celebrated by sitting around a ball bag while the goal scorer acted as a teacher, miming with hand movements as if to say ‘that’s how you do it’.

The home team almost responded two minutes later, when a free-kick from around 30-yards was well-tipped over by James Gill.

After 34 minutes, the Cardiff University left-winger closed in on goal and his shot was superbly cleared off the line by Stephen Lloyd Edwards, who was fouled in the process by the shot-taker to win a free-kick.

After the interval, the away side dominated possession as they looked to cushion their advantage with another goal. They had several opportunities before the 79^th minute when Robbie Turner’s cross-field ball found Rich Abbott in space, who strode towards goal and finished the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 0-2.

USW looked comfortable and Gill was looking solid in goal as he stopped the striker’s powerful shot in a one-on-one situation after 88 minutes, maintaining his side’s two-goal advantage. However, late into added time Cardiff University got a consolation goal when Gill was beaten from close-range.

Another three points for USW, who deserved the win after a dominating performance.

USW’s Dan Towl reflected on the result: “It was an interesting game, we didn’t play our best football but we got the result so that’s all that matters at the end of the day.

“That was a must win game so after that performance I really feel we can push on to win the league. We are the best side in the league, and it’s just proving that to everyone else.”