By Joe Smith
In a South Wales derby the University of South Wales 2nds hosted the Cardiff Metropolitan 2nds , with the home looking to restore some winning form after last weeks 3-1 defeat.
The game started fast with Cardiff Met instantly picking up the ball from a USW kick off and applying pressure onto the home teams back four. However, their time with possession was short lived as USW settled into the game they dominated all over the field rarely allowing Cardiff Met to get out of their own half.
Just under 10 minutes into the game and USW had a goal disallowed for offside. Iwan Mooney’s lofted ball went over the back of the Cardiff Met defence but Corey McKeathy’s run was slightly early.
USW keep pressing for their opener with Chris O’Donovan hitting the side netting and not allowing the away team out of their half in a very dominant first 20 minutes from the home team.
However, in the 35th minute, it was Cardiff Met who were the side to break the deadlock. Harrison Price picked up the ball around 25 yards out from goal, spotted the keeper off his line and put the ball over his head.
Following the first goal USW keep pushing for a leveller, and five minuted later it came. Mooney was sent running down the right wing and cut in for a one on one with the onrushing keeper, before calmly chipping the ball over his head and into the net making it 1-1 before the halftime whistle.
As soon as the second half kicked off USW were back on the front foot searching for a lead.
The home side took the lead when a weak pass back put Cardiff Met keeper Steff Paige under pressure and he played the ball to USW forward Josh Bell. Bell’s first time finish hit the post but bounced out and lined up perfectly for Corey McKearthy to tap home.
At the hour mark Alex Beven put the home team two ahead when following a darting run down the right flank he cut inside and struck the ball low and hard into the far corner.
Minutes later and Mooney hit his brace with an excellent strike from 20 yards putting the ball into the top right corner.
The fifth quickly followed after alate and lazy challenge from Cardiff Met defender Sam Horne on Beaven in the area enabled Mooney to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot.
Cardiff Met’s Maxen Llewelyn grabbed a consolation when he spotted agap in the USW defence and put his shot into the far corner of the goal.
However, USW continue to push forward and press the opposition and Laurent Ngunjoh, who has replaced hat-trick hero Mooney, lured the away keeper off his line before playing an easy pass to his team mate O’Donovan to slot home with just five minutes left.