by Matt Slater
A HEADER from substitute Julian Hassle failed to spark a late comeback as University of South Wales fell to defeat against Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Second-half goals from Declan Evans and Will Solari put Met in a comfortable position before Hassle headed home with 15 minutes remaining to reduce the deficit.
Solari was bizarrely sent to the sin bin for dissent late on but the home side managed to hold out to claim maximum points at Cyncoed Campus.
USW’s poor start allowed Met to apply constant pressure with both sides struggling to make use of their chances.
And the first clear-cut chance of the afternoon fell to Met’s Evans, who broke away from his defender but was let down by a poor touch. The resulting shot forced USW goalkeeper Ben Williams into making a straightforward save.
Williams was called into action again minutes later with another fine save as Solari found space and saw his low effort forced onto the post and behind for a corner.
Despite the home side’s pressure, USW enjoyed the best chance of the first half. Ellis Holland’s corner was met by the head of Yousef Mozaar at the back post, but he was denied by the strong fist of Met goalkeeper Kieran Park.
The Archers replied through Joe Hughes as he struck the ball from 30 yards out, only see his effort cleared off the line by back-peddling Mozaar.
Met finally broke the dead-lock just after the hour-mark through Evans, as he cut inside from the left wing and rifled an effort into the top corner from 30 yards.
The home side doubled their lead shortly after the restart from a corner. Solari rose highest to meet an in-swinging delivery and he nodded past Williams to put his side in a commanding position.
But USW replied from a corner of their own through the substitute Hassle to give themselves a chance with 15 minutes remaining. The 23-year-old German found space in the area and headed past Park from close range, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Met had an opportunity to restore their two-goal advantage when the goalscorer Evans raced through on goal before going to ground under the challenge of a USW defender inside the penalty area. Despite the home side’s appeals for a spot-kick, the referee ignored their protests and Solari was sent to the sin bin for dissent.
But Met managed to hold out to secure a well-earned victory over their South Walian rivals.
Star Player: Declan Evans (Cardiff Metropolitan University)
Incident log:
GOAL: 61’ – Declan Evans
GOAL: 66’ – Will Solari
GOAL: 75’ – Julian Hassle
SIN BIN: 80’ – Will Solari
