by Matt Williams
CARDIFF Met 5th play host to USW 5th in what promises to be a highly contested clash by two local rivals.
If the clash didn’t already have enough on the line, a place in the next round of the Western Conference Plate is also at stake.
With both sides playing their parts in their own respective title races last season, their form in the cup suffered last season, with both sides bowing out of the plate earlier than expected.
USW 5th beat Cardiff Met 6th to the Western 6B League title last season, an impressive six points clear at the top of the summit. USW ended the campaign undefeated, with six wins and two draws from eight games.
As for today’s hosts Cardiff Met 5ths, a second place finish is all they could settle for. Met finished just four points off Bristol 5ths, with six wins and two draws from ten games.
Cardiff Met 5ths cup campaign ended at the last 16 stage last season, following a disappointing but well contested 1-0 home defeat to UWTSD Swansea 1st.
USW however could only make it as far as the last 32 stage. A close 2-1 home defeat to AECC 1sts, ensured USW would have to wait at least another year to get their hands on the cup.
With both sides having been knocked out in such close affairs last season, both sides will come into this game with fire in their bellies. Both sides will know they are capable are getting a result, and both sides will give everything to do so.
