By Cullen Loughnane
USW dominated Cardiff on the way to a thrilling 4–2 victory at the Sport Park.
Coach Rob Bailey has said performances are more important than results, which he might have regretted when his team fell a goal behind in the sixth minute as Cardiff striker Jousha Grinstead pounced on a defensive mistake.
But Bailey’s boys remained calm and were level in the 13th minute. Some excellent work in midfield by David Mensah created the chance from which Jack Woodham struck a wonderful effort from outside the box into the back of the net.
After the leveller, USW had to soak up a lot of pressure from Cardiff, who went on to have their best spell of the game, calling USW keeper Finn Peacock into action twice in 10 minutes.
After the leveller, USW had to soak up a lot of pressure from Cardiff, who went on to have their best spell of the game, calling USW keeper Finn Peacock into action twice in 10 minutes.
Cardiff centre-back Archie Knott was a very lucky man to stay on the pitch after only receiving a yellow card for hauling down Woodham who was through on goal.
The half ended level at 1-1, but USW were in front immediately after the restart, Woodham punishing a goalkeeping howler from Cardiff’s Callum Richardson.
The half ended level at 1-1, but USW were in front immediately after the restart, Woodham punishing a goalkeeping howler from Cardiff’s Callum Richardson.
This would be a sign of things to come for both teams.
Just seven minutes later, USW had their third and it again stemmed from defensive and goalkeeping mistakes from Cardiff. S
Just seven minutes later, USW had their third and it again stemmed from defensive and goalkeeping mistakes from Cardiff. S
Some slick passing down the left side of the pitch saw the ball yet again find its way to Woodham, whose shot took a freak deflection on its way into the net.
After utterly bossing the second half, USW spurned chance after chance to get the fourth goal, before the tireless Mensah grabbed a fourth.
Cardiff did get a consolation in the end through Jake Thomas, however it was too little too late.
Next up for USW is a tough away day to Bristol’s 5ths, while Cardiff have Cardiff Met’s 6th team in their final game of the season.