CLUB OFFICIALS Chief Executive: Club President: Honorary Vice-Presidents:
Chairman: Director of Football: 1st Team Coach: Club Secretary/Academy Manager: Academy Director: Development Team Coach: Head of Coaching - Coach Education Head of Coaching - Community 1st Team Captain: Club Captain: Equipment Manager: Programme Editor/Matchday Announcer: Matchday Ambassador: Hon. Treasurer: Marketing and Match day:
Mike Davies Graham Haines Mark Roscrow MBE Sue Roscrow William Lewis Buddug Lewis Josh Barnett Hannah Barnett Gwilym Jenkins Graham Haines Dr. Christian Edwards Ryan Jenkins Rebecca Nuttall Dr. Charlie Corsby Liam Black Anthony Williams Eliot Evans Bradley Woolridge Bradley Woolridge Darren ‘Daz’ Jenkins Matthew James Ian Campbell Simon Evans Rebecca Nuttall
CLUB HONOURS MG Nathaniel Cars Cup Welsh Amateur Cup
Welsh Intermediate Cup Welsh League Cup Welsh League
Winners Runner Up Winners
2019 2018 1968 1969 Runner Up 1967 1970 1974 Winners 1976 Winners 1997 Division 1 Champions 2015/16 Division 2 Champions 2013/14 1975/76 Division 3 Champions 1995/96 2012/13
PAGE 4 Chairman’s Welcome PAGE 5
We Are Archers PAGE 6 Today’s Visitors
PAGE 8 Newtown Match Report PAGE 10 Aberystwyth Match Report PAGE 12
Today’s Visitors Page 6
Phase One Round-Up PAGE 16 Archers Season 20/21
PAGE 18 Cymru Premier 20/21 Season PAGE 22
Archers Squad PAGE 28 Mei 2 You
Archers Season 20/21 Page 16
Prynhawn Dda / Good Afternoon and welcome to Cardiff Met University, Cyncoed Campus for Match Day nine, and penultimate game of the Conference phase of the JD Cymru Premier League 2020-21 with Cefn Druids FC . On behalf of everyone connected with Cardiff Metropolitan University Football Club, we would like to welcome the directors, management and players who have made the journey from The Rock, we hope you enjoy your visit to Cardiff. As this unique season heads towards its conclusion, it is testament to the commitment and endeavour of all Premier League clubs that the full complement of 32 fixtures will be completed. This despite a late start in September, a firebreak in November, a lockdown in January, no spectators and a myriad of Welsh Government and FAW rules and regulations. Players, coaching and supporting staff have needed to adjust to limitations on training, limited recovery time and an onerous two game per week conclusion to the season. However, it is the truly gargantuan effort by the unsung heroes of all clubs; the volunteers and administrators that we all need to acknowledge and celebrate. Quite simply put; without the unreserved loyalty and sustained efforts of these individuals, the completion of this season would have been impossible. Although the commencement for next season has yet to be confirmed, all clubs are unanimous in their desire for an early to mid-August start. This will provide a decent period for adjustment and preparation for a return to play with a strong possibility of spectators being allowed back into our grounds. If this is to happen, there will be conditions imposed, which are likely to include pre-match ticketing, and some evidence of testing. Cardiff Met FC will be able to comply with all regulations when the Welsh Government announces further easing of Covid restrictions. We all eagerly await these impending National decisions. There was no need of Welsh government intervention or guidance back in 2010 when, after a penalty shoot-out victory against Bow Street, UWIC were finally drawn at home , against Premier League Bala Town . Football centre stage at UWIC? Never? Who would have thought? Indeed the number of spectators that day were vastly increased from normal match days and what a game they were treated to! With Bala taking an early lead through a Chris Mason goal, it seemed like the “giant killing” event was not to be. However, in true “Bow Street spirit” the young undergraduate team fought back with a high tempo assault on the Bala goal. The team’s efforts were soon rewarded; goals from Lewis Murray and Sam Carrington and a red card for Bala after 30 minutes saw the students end the first half with a 2-1 advantage. The Gaffer’s team talk during the break was to focus on “us not them…” we were in this position because of the way we were playing. More of the same was the clear message. Soon after the start of the second period, ten man Bala were awarded a penalty. Was this the chance for the opposition to get back into the game and gain the upper hand? Up stepped Bala’s goal scorer Chris Mason ….. but in goal Chris Willis had other ideas, diving full stretch to his left he parried the Bala’s striker’s effort away for a corner. UWIC back in the ascendancy and Bala were made to pay for their miss with Ed Jones seizing on a poor back pass to make it 3-1 to the students. With Bala’s Mark Connolly, on loan from Chester City, receiving a second yellow , Bala were down to nine men. A superb volley from Lewis Murray 5 minutes from time put the tie beyond the reach of the visitors. UWIC FC into the quarter Finals of the Welsh Cup, heroes one and all. A significant occasion for the club, which was to become a pivotal event in the future of the club. Finally, as we look forward to an exciting game against our visitors, we should always remember never to take for granted those who are always there for us; our families, friends, and our loyal supporters who unfortunately can only support us from a distance. The journey continues ……. Cardiff Met FC wish to thank all NHS staff and key workers for their unselfish professionalism and dedication
When the British Colleges of Physical Education were established many years ago for training teachers of Physical Education each adopted its own emblem by which it became recognised. Even when these colleges have now become part of larger institutions they have maintained the emblems, for example: Loughborough University - the Olympic torch bearer Leeds Metropolitan University - the Discobolus
Brunel University - the Javelin thrower In those early years, Cardiff Teacher Training College Physical Education (now Cardiff Met) staff thought long and hard about a suitable emblem, and delved far back in time for inspiration. In the 15th Century, in the middle period of the Hundred Years War, Henry V gathered around him an army with which to invade France. Reputedly fine archers, the call came for the ordinary Welsh man to take up his arms and join Henry. As soon as they were commanded, these ordinary men, with their elder sons had to go. Taking only their bows and a little food they walked out of their homes leaving their loved ones behind and marched to the various points of embarkation. These men, most of whom had never left Wales before, found themselves marching through France. They were part of a dirty, tired and hungry army that marched hundreds of miles across France in search of the final victory that Henry V needed, and they marched much further than they had intended. The French opposition sent out an enormous force between 20,000 to 30,000 to cut off the British. The resplendent and glittering army finally caught up with Henry V’s 5000 exhausted men in October 1415 at Agincourt. The French had an enormous superiority in numbers. Preliminary attacks by the French cavalry were repelled by Henry’s bowmen; and when the main French assaults were launched by armoured men across a sodden field, the lightly equipped and more mobile archers engaged their flanks with swords and axes and cut their assailants down. Three hours of battle ended in disaster for the French. The Constable himself, 12 other members of the highest nobility, some 1,500 knights and about 4,500 men-at-arms were killed on the French side, whereas the losses of Henry V’s army were estimated to be fewer than 450. The early members of the Physical Education staff of the Cardiff Training College (now Cardiff Met) did not have to look far for an emblem that would embody the skill, courage and hwyl which thereafter was to become synonymous with the sporting deeds of its students: they chose ‘The Welsh Bowman’.
In 1872 Plasmadoc Football Club, founded three years earlier, became Druids when the various colliery and quarry teams in the hills around Ruabon and Cefn Mawr were brought together under one banner. Six Druids players were in the first Welsh international side which played Scotland on 25 March 1876 - the most from a single club ever to play for Wales – whilst the first secretary of the Welsh FA, Llewelyn Kenrick, was also an exDruid. In 1876 Druids entered the English FA Cup, the first Welsh club to do so, and in 1882/83 they defeated Bolton Wanderers in the fourth round, losing to eventual winners Blackburn Olympic in the quarter finals. Druids played in the very first Welsh Cup game at Newtown on 13 October 1877, just a week after playing Scottish giants Queens Park at Hampden Park, and ended up as runners-up to Wrexham in the first Welsh Cup Final in 1877/78. Druids were finalists in the first six years of the competition and became the first club to win it three times in succession by lifting the trophy from 1880-1882. In all Druids have won the Welsh Cup eight times. The club joined the first Welsh League in 1890 and rose again towards the end of the nineteenth century with more silverware. In 1920 the club left Wynnstay Park to combine with Rhosymedre to become Rhosymedre Druids, playing at Church Field. They merged with Acrefair United in 1923, becoming Druids United, but were perennial strugglers in the Welsh National League (North) until stepping down to the Wrexham & District League in 1930, moving to yet another new ground, this time in Acrefair. League form improved during the 1950s and, in 1957, Druids United reached the Welsh Amateur Cup final, losing to Porthmadog in a replay at Bangor. In that same season the club won the first of two consecutive Welsh Youth Cups. Profit from the Amateur Cup run enabled the club to fund the layout of a new ground on derelict land in the centre of Cefn Mawr, which became the club’s home for over 50 years. A young George Best was part of a Manchester United XI that provided the opposition for the first match there. But enthusiasm at Druids had waned by the 1980s when Druids were being outstripped by arch rivals Cefn Albion, who were formed in 1967. Albion played initially at The Bont, then at Rhostyllen, Ty Mawr and Church Fields before settling back at Ty Mawr, scooping numerous pieces of silverware as they climbed the Welsh National League (Wrexham Area). A merger between the two clubs was resisted until former Chester manager Ken Roberts intervened to convince the rival factions that an amalgamation was in the best interests of everyone. Thus, in 1992, Cefn Druids FC was born, playing at Plaskynaston and carrying the white and black colours of the original Plasmadoc club. The club steadily consolidated in the Cymru Alliance, helped by a renewed youth policy, and under Gareth Powell, strolled to the 1998/99 Cymru Alliance championship, scoring over 100 goals in the process. The club marked its arrival in the League of Wales with a 1-0 win at Inter Cardiff, the previous year’s runners-up, in its very first game and, in 2001/02, reached the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup. A succession of managers were unable to prevent the Ancients from finishing in the second relegation spot at the end of the 2004/05 season but with only one team from the feeder leagues being promoted, Druids survived the drop. For several years the possibility of a new stadium for the club was touted as the Plaskynaston land was earmarked for a supermarket and the existing stadium was showing signs of its age.
But delays to the start of construction to the new ground meant the club was going to struggle to meet the criteria for the revamped 12-club Welsh Premier League. The club cut its cloth accordingly as relegation appeared certain with the club battling at the wrong end of the table. When the inevitable relegation happened Druids returned to Rhosymedre in 2010 when the new stadium, The Rock, was completed. The 2011/12 season saw the club reach the Welsh Cup Final for the first time in 108 years after claiming the scalps of Premier League sides Prestatyn Town, Aberystwyth Town and Airbus UK Broughton. A 2-0 reversal by The New Saints ended the club’s fairytale story but, as the winners had also won the Welsh Premier League, Cefn Druids reached Europe for the first ever time. In addition the Welsh Cup run, Druids won their first trophy since 1999 after a 4-0 win over Ruthin Town at Wrexham’s Racecourse Stadium gave the club the North East Wales FA Challenge Cup. The 2012/13 season started with the Europa League First Qualifying Round tie against Finnish side MyPa-47, who had previously faced Liverpool in European competition. A creditable goalless draw in the first leg at the Racecourse Stadium was followed by a 5-0 defeat in Finland. Domestically, despite a mid-season wobble, the club finished second in the Huws Gray Alliance and achieved the FAW Domestic Licence. The 2013/14 season saw Cefn Druids storm to the Huws Gray Alliance title, losing just one match in the process. And, with the Domestic Licence again awarded, promotion to the Welsh Premier League was achieved. In addition the NEWFA Cup was again secured with a 20 victory over Ruthin Town in a repeat of the 2012 final, and ensured Druids repeated the double of 1999. Following relegation from the WPL , in May 2015, Huw Griffiths returned to the club following an absence of 12 months. Under the management of Griffiths, Druids claimed promotion at the first time of asking following the licence failure of champions Caernarfon Town joining the Archers as new entrants in the WPL for the 2016/17 season. The 2017–18 season saw Druids achieve their highest ever top flight finish as they ended the season in 5th place defeating the Archers in the Europa league play-off final at The Rock to book their place in Europe for the 2018/19 season. Druids faced FK Trakai and were unlucky to lose, going out 2-1 on aggregate to the Lithuanian side. Since their European adventure, the Druids have struggled to reach the heights of previous campaigns and this season has seen the Ancients part with Manager Bruno Lopes as the club found themselves bottom of the table and facing a relegation dogfight. Druids are rooted to the bottom of the table and have been cut adrift at the foot of the Cymru Premier table, however with the threat of relegation removed due to the Covid pandemic, the Ancients will be hoping to rebuild over the summer and enjoy a more successful campaign next time around.
The Archers continued their excellent recent form with a thrilling 3-2 victory away at seventh placed Newtown despite playing the final 25 minutes with ten men. The game got off to the worst possible start for the visitors, Tyrone Ofori heading home with just 37 seconds on the clock. Met responded well to the early setback and levelled five minutes later, Lewis Rees rifling the ball into the roof of the Newtown net from Matt Chubb’s cross to make it 1-1. The explosive start continued and Will Fuller had to be at his best to save from Nick Rushton minutes after Met had equalised. The Archers custodian was again called into action, saving low from Mwandwe before Woolridge thwarted any chance of a possible rebound. After an explosive start both sides tried to settle into a rhythm but found keeping possession difficult as both sides pressed looking to dominate the midfield. With the teams going into the break level at 1-1, the second period saw Met take the lead for the first time, a sloppy pass from Jordan Evans gifted possession to Eliot Evans who found Hulbert and the in-form striker made no mistake, calmly finishing into the corner of the net past the onrushing Dave Jones. Midway through the half and it looked like the tide was turning in the Robins favour, Emlyn Lewis was adjudged to have fouled Mwandwe and not only did the referee point to the penalty spot but issued Lewis with his second yellow card and a dismissal. Rushton calmly converted the penalty to restore parity and set up an intriguing final quarter of the match. As expected Newtown applied most of the pressure and Fuller again had to be alert to tip over a dipping Mwandwe effort. With 13 minutes remaining Met were awarded a penalty of their own, Shane Sutton fouling Brad Woolridge on the edge of the penalty area allowing Eliot Evans to convert from the spot and make it 3-2 to the visitors. Despite some late scares, Met held out to claim a valuable victory and keep their faint Europa League play-off hopes alive with a 3-2 win.
Cardiff Met continued their impressive recent form with a resounding 5-1 defeat of Aberystwyth Town at Cyncoed. A brace from Ollie Hulbert and further goals from Eliot Evans, Emlyn Lewis and Liam Warman paved the way for a comprehensive Archer victory which sees them move to within 2 points of 8th placed Haverfordwest. Whilst the coveted 7th spot appears to have eluded the Archers, it has been an impressive end to the season for the recently free-scoring students (14 goals in 4 games) and in Ollie Hulbert, Met appeared to have unearthed a diamond in a season that has seen the Bristol Rovers loanee average over a goal every other game. Met the and and
started on the front foot - no doubt buoyed by recent results - and took lead in the 7th minute, Eliot Evans received the ball in the penalty area cut back inside the defender before bending his shot past Connor Roberts in off the post.
Despite the visitors attacking line-up, it was Met who doubled their lead in the 38th minute, a wonderful flowing move was finished by Hulbert to give the hosts a 2-0 led going into the break. Despite an early second half onslaught from the visitors, the hosts further extended their lead in the 52nd minute, Emlyn Lewis firing home with the help of a deflection to put Met firmly in the driving seat and on course for another three points. The Seasiders introduced veteran striker Jamie Reed in a bid to reduce the arrears but it was the home side who added to their tally, a sumptuous ball over the top of the Aber defence from Eliot Evans allowed Hulbert to shoot low past Roberts and seal the three points for the home side. At 4-0 down, the visitors were playing for pride but got on the scoresheet with four minutes remaining, Mattie Jones scoring from a free kick that Fuller will feel he should have done better with. The Aberystwyth goal appeared to galvanise the home side and as the clock ticked over the 90 minute mark, substitute Liam Warman, made it 5-1 to the Archers, drilling a low shot past Roberts to complete a 5-1 victory.
Given their recent form, the Archers may be left to rue a season that could ultimately escape them however the students go into Tuesday's match with Newtown full of confidence.
MD 1: Aberystwyth Town 2-3 Cardiff Met Cardiff Met FC got their Cymru Premier season underway in winning fashion with a comeback win away out West. Aberystwyth twice took the lead but the Archers found enough to win the match late on. Goals from summer signings Jonathan Evans and Rhys Davies gave Aber the lead twice during the match but long-serving midfielder Eliot Evans and a brace from Bristol Rovers loanee Ollie Hulbert were enough to see Met kick off their campaign with a massive three points. MD 2: Cardiff Met 0-0 Haverfordwest County Haverfordwest County’s first match back in the JD Cymru Premier League was anything but what the scoreline might suggest. An entertaining affair at Cyncoed Campus saw both sides create numerous chances, but ultimately neither were able to break the deadlock and take home the three points. Visiting loanee striker Danny Williams twice came close but found Alex Lang in fine form for the Archers, while Chris Baker and Harry Warwick both came close to finding a winner in the second half. Ollie Hulbert, fresh from his brace in the opening match of the season, also had a couple of chances to win the match for Met but saw both efforts miss the target, as the points were shared. A solid start to the season from the Archers but a bigger test awaits in the shape of TNS on Matchday 3. MD 3: The New Saints 2-0 Cardiff Met The biggest test of the season so far for Met saw them take on Cymru Premier League giants The New Saints at Park Hall. TNS continued their perfect start to the season with Adrian Cieslewics scoring in the first half as the Saints controlled the match from start to finish, though Met midfielder Chris Baker did cannon a shot off the crossbar in the first half. TNS never seemed to make it out of third gear in the match where Met struggled to create any clear cut chances. The game was sealed in the second half as an attacking cross along the six yard box was inadvertently turned into his own net by Archers defender Liam Black. MD 4: Cefn Druids 1-1 Cardiff Met A tight affair at The Rock as the Druids and the Archers shared the spoils. The home side had the better of proceedings early on and held the lead at the interval. Harry Brazel came close with an effort for the home side before Jamie Reed gave them the lead, driving home in the 17th minute as the away defence failed to close down the striker. This seemed to spark the visitors into action though and Rhydian Morgan and Dylan Rees had efforts to level the scoring. Cardiff Met FC did equalize in the second period though to secure a point and a place in the Top Six through tricky winger Liam Warman. MD 5: Cardiff Met 0-1 Penybont The Archers tough start to the season continued with a home defeat against Penybont. The already injury -hit hosts suffered further blows as Chris Baker, Dylan Rees and Harry Owen were all forced replacements due to injury. For the visitors, Kostya Georgievsky turned in a Man-of-the-Match performance to earn his side their first victory of the season, slotting home the only goal of the game after a second half goalmouth scramble. Penybont continued their impressive tart to the season while Met will be hoping to get back to winning ways in an effort to avoid dropping further down the table. MD 6: Cardiff Met 0-3 Caernarfon Town The Canaries secured back-to-back wins at Cyncoed Campus with an impressive away performance. The game could have swung the other way early on but Josh Tibbets got down low to palm away Eliot Evans’ penalty for the home side. Instead, it was Caernarfon Town who took the lead with a penalty of their own after an impressive run by Sion Bradley into the box saw him felled in the box. The winger got up to convert the penalty himself and set the wheels in motion for a comfortable display. Goals from Asa Hamilton and Cai Jones enough to earn a comfortable victory. MD 7: Barry Town United 1-0 Cardiff Met Gavin Chesterfield’s men made it five wins from five under the lights at Jenner Park with a wonderfully struck free-kick from former-Welsh international David Cotterill. The game lacked a great deal of quality from both teams but for one moment of genius by the midfielder, who struck his edge of the area free kick high into Will Fuller’s goal to extend Met’s winless run to five games. It was a disappointing night for the Archers who rarely threatened the Barry goal as the game seemed to lack the intensity of previous encounters.
MD 8: Cardiff Met 1-2 Connah’s Quay Nomads The form table should have made this game easy for the visitors with the Archers winless in five and the visitors unbeaten this season so far, but it was anything but. A spirited display from the home side saw the Met lead at the break with Dylan Rees on the scoresheet. However, goals from Priestley Farquahson and Craig Curran completed a turnaround that sees Champions Nomads stay top of the JD Welsh Cymru Premier League. MD 9: Cardiff Met 2-1 Flint Town United Both teams came into this match at Cyncoed Campus needing a win to turn around their poor form. The Archer’s were seven games without a win and Flint Town United had lost four on the bounce. In a game that often threatened to become a scrappy affair, with a number of yellow cards in the first half lacking in real quality, it was the home side that took the spoils. A rocket from Dylan Rees from 30 yards out gave Christian Edwards’ side the lead before Ollie Hulbert doubled the advantage following a strong run by Harry Warwick and a neat back -heel from Charlie Corsby. The visitors got one back after a Callum Bratley’s bullet header arrowed in passed Alex Lang in the Met goal. The Archer’s held out to climb to 8th in the table as Flint Town United drop into the relegation zone. MD 10: Cardiff Met 1-1 Aberystwyth Town It was honours even at Cyncoed Campus as both Cardiff Met and Aberystwyth Town returned to action following the firebreak lockdown. It was a match with few clear cut chances, most efforts on goal were from distance – with debutant Mati Etchegoyen coming close with a strike from 30 yards out for the visitors. Following some great play down the right wing, Marc Williams gave Town the lead with a neat finish six yards out from a squared ball. Met pushed for an equalizer and Aberystwyth Town were happy to sit back and absorb pressure, but the equalizer came through debutant Ashton Gleed, muscling his defender out of the way to make space for a drive that flew passed the goalkeeper, high into the center of the goal. MD 11: Cardiff Met 0-1 The New Saints A much-improved Cardiff Met FC performance at Cyncoed Campus was not enough to end The New Saints unbeaten run to the campaign. Instead, The Saints extended that run to 12 matches without defeat this season. The only goal of the match came via a Liam Black own goal, but Christian Edwards’ men will take a great deal of confidence from giving the runaway league-leaders such a competitive game. The Archer’s games this season have yielded the fewest amount of goals than any other team this campaign so it was no surprise this was not a goal -fest. Met continued their defensive assurances, but were again unable to create enough going forward, and when they did, the finishing was not clinical enough to make them count. MD 12: Flint Town United 0-1 Cardiff Met Cardiff Met FC moved up to 7th in the table with their third win of the season as the students did the double over their hosts. The North Walians had a man sent off midway through the first half as Alex Jones was shown a straight red card for a challenge on the returning Emlyn Lewis. Despite being down to ten men, the Archer’s struggled to find a way through and onto the scoresheet. Thankfully for Christian Edwards’ side, Ollie Hulbert did manage to score the only goal of the match with quarter of an hour left to play as the battle for the top six intensifies. MD 13: Cardiff Met 2-1 Newtown The Archer’s secured their first back-to-back wins of the current campaign as they saw off a spirited Newtown performance to win 2-1 at Cyncoed Campus. Christian Edwards’ men built on their 1-0 win away to Flint Town United last time out to move level on points with 6th placed Penybont. A frantic opening ten minutes saw Eliot Evans score a smart free-kick that visiting goalkeeper David Jones will be disappointed not to have saved at his near side. Three minutes later it was 1-1 as Jack Kelly rose highest to head home Craig Williams’ outswinging corner. The goalscoring continued in the 10th minute of the match after a Dylan Rees trademark long throw -in was headed clear but only to Evans on the edge of the area. The midfielder notched his second with a fine left -footed volley into the far bottom corner. Newtown had much of the ball and had a number of chances in the second half but the points were Met’s as their form continues to improve after a tough start to the season. MD 14: Cardiff Met 1-1 Bala Town Cardiff Met narrowly missed out on a third win in a week after Henry Jones scored a 90th minute equalizer to deny the Archers, who themselves scored late on. In what will never be described as a classic match by any body in attendance, the only moments of quality were both as the clock ticked towards the 90th. Chris Venables was guilty of missing the best chance of the match at 0-0, while former Cardiff Met midfielder, Will Evans, back at Cyncoed Campus for the first time since his summer move to the Lakesiders, delivered a cross that skimmed the cross bar as it went for a throw-in. Ollie Hulbert broke the deadlock in the 85th minute as Met looked to have won it, but substitute Henry Jones was on hand to score late-on and share the spoils as they lose ground on the top two.
MD 15: Bala Town 4-1 Cardiff Met FC Bala Town made a fast start at Maes Tegid in this back-to-back fixture with the Archers, scoring the opener within five minutes. Former Cardiff Met FC star, Will Evans, got on the end of an Ollie Shannon ball to head home. Antony Kay made it 2-0 for the home side, smashing home high into the net from a corner, before returning goalscoring machine Chris Venables made it 3-0 at half-time. Met started brightly in the second half and Ollie Hulbert finished smartly after being put through on goal by a delicious Dylan Rees through ball. The comeback hopes were shortlived however, as veteran goal-scorer Venables doubled his goal tally and rounded off an emphatic display by the Lakesiders, as the referee called time on a 4-1 win for the home side, ending Met’s unbeaten run of three matches. MD 16: Penybont 1-0 Cardiff Met FC Penybont retained their upturn in form and their position in the Top Six with a narrow fought win under the lights at the SDM Glass Arena. The difference came as Lewis Harling struck from range to inflict consecutive defeats for the Archers. Harling, who made his 200th Cymru Premier League appearance in the fixure, gave Rhys Griffiths’ side victory and extends Met’s winless away run to six matches. Penybont dominated the match and could easily have won the game by a wider margin but for the lack of clinical finishing at the sharp end.
MD 17: Connah’s Quay Nomads 3-1 Cardiff Met FC Connah’s Quay Nomads showed the class that won them last season’s JD Cymru Premier League title, in a professional display against Cardiff Met FC. Michael Wilde scored yet another goal to add to his collection to put the Nomads 1 -0 up. An improved Met display was rewarded when center-back Emlyn Lewis equalized to keep the game close at half time. As the second half got under way though, the defending Champions stepped their performance up a gear as George Horan and Aron Williams scored twice in quick succession to take Connah’s Quay back to the top of the league. MD 18: Haverfordwest County 1-0 Cardiff Met FC Cardiff City loanee Danny Williams scored the only game of a match devoid of real quality from both sides. A match of very few chances for either side was eventually decided as the striker was brought down in the box by Archers Captain Bradley Woolridge. The resulting penalty was dispatched emphatically to the top corner, with Will Fuller diving the wrong way. The win moves County up into the top six while it’s now five games without a win for Met. MD 19: Newton 4-1 Cardiff Met FC The Archers left Powys after a chastening 4-1 defeat to the Robins who were clinical in their punishment of Met mistakes. Goals from Ofori (2) and Jordan Evans (2) gave the scoreline a flattering look with Met’s goal coming from the head of Brad Woolridge. With the score at 2-1 to Newtown, Harry Owen appeared to have been fouled by the last Robins defender however the referee waved away the Met appeals and deemed that no infringement had occurred.
MD 20: Cardiff Met 0-0 Cefn Druids Despite dominating the game and creating numerous chances, the Archers could only draw with bottom club Cefn Druids at Cyncoed. Eliot Evans forced Druids goalkeeper Jones into a save as early as the first minute and that set the tone for the remainder of the game. Price had a goal disallowed and also headed straight at Jones midway through the first period while other chances were squandered giving the Druids a valuable point on the road but leaving the Archers wondering how they only managed a draw against a poor Druids outfit. MD 21: Caernarfon Town 3-2 Cardiff Met FC Met left North Wales after suffering a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Caernarfon Town but must be wondering how they didn’t collect at least a point from a game they dominated. Chances went begging for the visitors but the Cofi’s were clinical when it mattered and punished the Archers mistakes with ruthless efficiency. After taking a 2 -0 lead, Harry Owen pulled on back for Met but with 10 minutes remaining Bickerstaff all but secured the three points despite a late Eliot Evans penalty deep into injury time. MD 22: Cardiff Met 1-2 Barry Town Barry repeated last season’s victory at Cyncoed with an injury time winner from Evan Press. Despite Met creating a number of chances in the first period, the sides went in level at half-time with Lewis in the Barry goal, the busier of the two ‘keepers. The derby came to life in the second half however as Barry took the lead in the 51st minute but the home side levelled just minutes later, Emlyn Lewis heading past Mike Lewis at the near post to give the Archers a deserved equalizer. Both sides went in search of an all-important late winner and it was the Jenner Park side who claimed it, Curtis Hutson playing a square ball to Evan Press who made no mistake with the finish, drilling the ball low into the far corner of Alex Lang’s net to claim all three points for the visitors and leave Met winless in their last nine games.
DATE
COMP
OPPONENT
F-A
11/09/20
CP
Aberystwyth Town
3-2
15/09/20
CP
HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY
20/09/20
CP
26/09/20
GOALS
E.Evans
Lang
D.Rees
McCarthy
Woolridge
E.Evans
0-0
Lang
D.Rees
McCarthy
Woolridge
E.Evans
The New Saints
0-2
Lang
McCarthy
Woolridge
Williams
E.Evans
CP
Cefn Druids
1-1
Lang
D.Rees
McCarthy
Williams
E.Evans
30/09/20
CP
PENYBONT
0-1
Lang
D.Rees
McCarthy
E.Evans
Baker
03/10/20
CP
CAERNARFON TOWN
0-3
Fuller
McCarthy
E.Evans
Warwick
Corsby
06/10/20
CP
Barry Town United
0-1
Fuller
McCarthy
E.Evans
Warwick
Corsby
10/10/20
CP
CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS
1-2
Rees
Fuller
D.Rees
McCarthy
Woolridge
Warwick
17/10/20
CP
FLINT TOWN UNITED
2-1
Rees Hulbert
Lang
D.Rees
McCarthy
Woolridge
Warwick
13/11/20
CP
ABERYSTWYTH TOWN
1-1
Gleed
Lang
D.Rees
McCarthy
Woolridge
E.Evans
21/11/20
CP
THE NEW SAINTS
0-1
Lang
D.Rees
McCarthy
E.Evans
Corsby
28/11/20
CP
Flint Town United
1-0
Hulbert
Lang
D.Rees
McCarthy
Woolridge
Lewis
01/12/20
CP
NEWTOWN
2-1
E.Evans (2)
Lang
D.Rees
McCarthy
Woolridge
Lewis
05/12/20
CP
BALA TOWN
1-1
Hulbert
Lang
D.Rees
McCarthy
Woolridge
Lewis
12/12/20
CP
Bala Town
1-4
E.Evans
Lang
D.Rees
McCarthy
Woolridge
Lewis
15/12/20
CP
Penybont
0-1
Lang
Woolridge
Lewis
E.Evans
Corsby
19/12/20
CP
Connah’s Quay Nomads
1-3
Lang
Woolridge
Lewis
E.Evans
Corsby
06/03/21
CP
Haverfordwest County
0-1
Fuller
McCarthy
Woolridge
Lewis
Williams
13/03/21
CP
Newtown
1-4
Fuller
D.Rees
McCarthy
Woolridge
Lewis
20/03/21
CP
CEFN DRUIDS
0-0
Lang
D.Rees
Lewis
E.Evans
Baker
27/03/21
CP
Caernarfon Town
2-3
Owen E.Evans
Lang
D.Rees
McCarthy
Woolridge
Lewis
02/04/21
CP
BARRY TOWN UNITED
1-2
Lewis
Lang
McCarthy
Woolridge
Lewis
E.Evans
Hulbert (2)
Warman
Lewis
Woolridge
Baker
Warwick
Corsby
Hulbert
Morgan
Warman
Fuller
Williams
Chubb
Horwood
Gleed
N/A
Baker
Warwick
Corsby
Hulbert
Morgan
Warman
Fuller
Williams
Chubb
Horwood
Gleed
N/A
Baker
Corsby
Morgan
Warman
Chubb
Black
Fuller
Proctor
Davies
Horwood
Pashen
N/A
Baker
Corsby
J.Evans
Morgan
Warman
Chubb
Manson
Owen
J.Davies
Black
C.Davies
N/A
Corsby
J.Evans
J.Davies
Morgan
Warman
C.Davies
Fuller
Williams
Owen
Black
Gleed
N/A
J.Evans
J.Davies
Morgan
Warman
Black
C.Davies
Lang
Williams
Proctor
Chubb
Horwood
Roberts
Hulbert
J.Evans
J.Davies
Morgan
Warman
C.Davies
Lang
Williams
Proctor
Horwood
Pashen
Roberts
Corsby
Hulbert
J.Evans
Morgan
Warman
Black
Lang
Proctor
Horwood
Pashen
Roberts
Wright
Corsby
Hulbert
J.Evans
Morgan
Warman
Black
Fuller
Proctor
J.Davies
Horwood
Pashen
Roberts
Warwick
Corsby
Hulbert
J.Evans
Warman
Black
Fuller
Gleed
Pashen
C.Davies
Roberts
Wright
Hulbert
J.Evans
J.Davies
Morgan
Warman
Black
Fuller
Owen
Chubb
Pashen
Roberts
C.Davies
E.Evans
Hulbert
J.Davies
Morgan
Warman
Black
Fuller
Warwick
Owen
Chubb
C.Davies
Roberts
E.Evans
Corsby
Hulbert
Morgan
Warman
Black
Fuller
Warwick
Owen
J’Dvaies
Chubb
Roberts
E.Evans
Hulbert
Morgan
Warman
Chubb
Black
Fuller
Warwick
Owen
J.Evans
Davies
Price
E.Evans
Corsby
Hulbert
Morgan
Black
Price
Fuller
Warwick
Owen
J.Evans
Warman
Jones
J.Evans
Morgan
Warman
Black
Price
Jones
Fuller
Owen
Chubb
Pashen
Davies
Roberts
Hulbert
J.Evans
Morgan
Warman
Chubb
Black
Fuller
Craven
Pashen
Davies
Roberts
Price
Evans
Owen
Morgan
Price
Blake
L.Rees
Lang
Baker
Corsby
Hulbert
Warman
Chubb
Evans
Corsby
Owen
Morgan
Price
L.Rees
Lang
J.Evans
Warman
Davies
Thomas
Chubb
Corsby
Owen
J.Evans
Price
Blake
L.Rees
Manson
Woolridge
Thomas
Morgan
Chubb
Davies
E.Evans
Baker
Thomas
Corsby
Blake
L.Rees
Manson
Owen
J.Evans
Warman
Chubb
Jones
Baker
Corsby
Owen
J.Evans
Morgan
L.Rees
Manson
Williams
Warman
Chubb
Davies
Jones
MATCHDAY 1 RESULTS Aberystwyth Town 2-3 Cardiff Met
Barry Town 0-3 The New Saints
Caernarfon Town 1-1 Penybont
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-1 Bala Town
Flint Town United 1-0 Newtown
Haverfordwest County 1-1 Cefn Druids
MATCHDAY 2 RESULTS Bala Town 4-0 Barry Town
Cardiff Met 0-0 Haverfordwest County
Cefn Druids 1-2 Flint Town United
Newtown 2-3 Caernarfon Town
Penybont 1-1 Aberystwyth Town
The New Saints 1-0 Connah’s Quay Nomads
MATCHDAY 3 RESULTS Aberystwyth Town 3-1 Flint Town United
Bala Town 2-1 Cefn Druids
Barry Town 3-1 Caernarfon Town
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-0 Penybont
Haverfordwest County 2-2 Newtown
The New Saints 2-0 Cardiff Met
MATCHDAY 4 RESULTS Caernarfon Town 0-4 The New Saints
Cefn Druids 1-1 Cardiff Met
Flint Town United 0-1 Barry Town
Haverfordwest County 1-4 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Newtown 1-1 Aberystwyth Town
Penybont 1-5 Bala Town
MATCHDAY 5 RESULTS Bala Town 1-1 The New Saints
Barry Town 2-1 Haverfordwest County
Caernarfon Town 2-1 Flint Town United
Cardiff Met 0-1 Penybont
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-0 Aberystwyth Town
Newtown 4-1 Cefn Druids
MATCHDAY 6 RESULTS Aberystwyth Town 1-2 Barry Town
Bala Town 1-2 Haverfordwest County
Cardiff Met 0-3 Caernarfon Town
Cefn Druids 0-5 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Penybont 2-1 Newtown
The New Saints 10-0 Flint Town United
MATCHDAY 7 RESULTS
Barry Town 1-0 Cardiff Met
Cefn Druids 0-4 Aberystwyth Town
Connah’s Quay Nomads 3-1 Caernarfon Town
Flint Town United 1-2 Bala Town
Haverfordwest County 0-4 Penybont
The New Saints 2-0 Newtown
MATCHDAY 8 RESULTS Bala Town 5-2 Aberystwyth Town
Caernarfon 1-2 Cefn Druids
Cardiff Met 1-2 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Flint Town United 0-2 Haverfordwest County
Newtown 1-1 Barry Town
Penybont 0-4 The New Saints
MATCHDAY 9 RESULTS Aberystwyth Town 2-2 TNS
Barry Town 0-0 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Cardiff Met 2-1 Flint Town United
Cefn Druids 0-2 Penybont
Haverfordwest County 1-1 Caernarfon Town
Newtown 0-2 Bala Town
MATCHDAY 10 FIXTURES Bala Town 4-1 Cardiff Met
Caernarfon Town 2-2 Aberystwyth Town
Cefn Druids 0-1 Barry Town
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-1 Newtown
Penybont 1-2 Flint Town United
The New Saints 3-2 Haverfordwest County
MATCHDAY 11 FIXTURES Aberystwyth Town 1-1 Penybont
Barry Town 6-2 Bala Town
Cardiff Met 0-0 Cefn Druids
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-0 The New Saints
Flint Town United 0-2 Caernarfon Town
Newtown 0-3 Haverfordwest County
MATCHDAY 12 FIXTURES Aberystwyth Town 1-0 Newtown
Caernarfon Town 2-0 Barry Town
Cefn Druids 1-3 Bala Town
Flint Town United 0-6 The New Saints
Haverfordwest County 1-0 Cardiff Met
Penybont 0-0 Connah’s Quay Nomads
MATCHDAY 13 RESULTS Bala Town 4-1 Penybont
Caernarfon Town 1-2 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Cardiff Metropolitan 1-1 Aberystwyth Town
Cefn Druids 4-1 Haverfordwest County
Newtown 3-2 Flint Town United
The New Saints 2-1 Barry Town United
MATCHDAY 14 FIXTURES Aberystwyth Town 1-2 Bala Town
Barry Town 0-0 Newtown
Cardiff Met 0-1 The New Saints
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-1 Cefn Druids
Haverfordwest County 0-3 Flint Town United
Penybont 6-0 Caernarfon Town
MATCHDAY 15 FIXTURES Bala Town 3-1 Newtown
Caernarfon Town 1-4 Haverfordwest
Connah’s Quay Nomads 3-1 Barry Town
Flint Town 0-1 Cardiff Met
Penybont 1-1 Cefn Druids
The New Saints 4-1 Aberystwyth Town
MATCHDAY 16 FIXTURES Aberystwyth Town 1-3 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Barry Town 6-3 Flint Town United
Cardiff Met 1-1 Bala Town
Cefn Druids 1-2 Caernarfon Town
Haverfordwest County 2-1 The New Saints
Newtown 2-0 Penybont
MATCHDAY 17 FIXTURES Barry Town 4-1 Cefn Druids
Caernarfon Town 1-1 Newtown
Connah’s Quay Nomads 3-1 Cardiff Met
Flint Town United 3-0 Aberystwyth Town
Haverfordwest County 1-1 Bala Town
The New Saints 2-1 Penybont
MATCHDAY 18 FIXTURES
Aberystwyth Town 2-1 Haverfordwest County
Bala Town 1-2 Caernarfon Town
Flint Town United 0-1 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Newtown 4-1 Cardiff Met
Penybont 1-0 Barry Town
The New Saints 5-0 Cefn Druids
MATCHDAY 19 FIXTURES Barry Town 0-1 Penybont
Caernarfon Town 1-1 Bala Town
Cardiff Met 2-1 Newtown
Cefn Druids 0-4 The New Saints
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-0 Flint Town United
Haverfordwest County 2-0 Aberystwyth Town
MATCHDAY 20 FIXTURES Aberystwyth Town 1-2 Caernarfon Town
Bala Town 1-3 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Flint Town United 1-2 Cefn Druids
Haverfordwest County 2-1 Barry Town
Newtown 0-4 The New Saints
Penybont 1-0 Cardiff Met
MATCHDAY 21 FIXTURES Barry Town 1-0 Aberystwyth Town
Caernarfon Town 3-2 Cardiff Met
Cefn Druids 2-4 Newtown
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-0 Haverfordwest County
Flint Town United 0-1 Penybont
The New Saints 0-0 Bala Town
MATCHDAY 22 FIXTURES Aberystwyth Town 3-1 Cefn Druids
Bala Town 5-0 Flint Town United
Cardiff Met 1-2 Barry Town
Newtown 1-5 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Penybont 2-0 Haverfordwest County
The New Saints 4-1 Caernarfon Town
Will Fuller
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper Will Fuller has been at the club since 2011, helping the club to progress from Welsh Division 3 to the Europa League over the last 8 seasons. Born in Ipswich and released by the club aged 16, Will joined Salisbury City for a two year youth scholarship before moving to Cardiff to continue his academics. Studying an undergraduate degree in Sport & Exercise Science and then a Masters in Applied Sports Psychology, Will was also voted in as the Students’ Union Vice-President and then President.
Dylan Rees
Defender
Dylan spent two years as a professional at the Bluebirds after 8 years in their academy. Upon his release in 2017, he signed for Karlstad BK in the Swedish Second Division. The summer of 2017 saw him return to Wales and begin his studies at Cardiff Metropolitan. Dylan has been capped at Wales ‘C’ level and is one of the best defenders in the Cymru Premier winning the Club Player of the Year award in 2019. Dylan is currently studying for a PGCE here at Cardiff Met.
Kyle McCarthy
Defender
Kyle spent his junior football days at Cardiff City FC Academy until he was released prior to a scholarship and sought youth team football and further education at Hereford United FC. Having completed both undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Cyncoed, Kyle is currently employed as a Sport Development Officer on behalf of Cardiff Metropolitan University (Sport Cardiff). During an 8 year period of representing the university, McCarthy has won promotion at every level of the Welsh pyramid, a league cup and more recently, European qualification.
Brad Woolridge
Defender
Brad is a current PhD student at the University and also club captain. His playing career began at 16, playing senior football for Heath Hayes FC in the Midland Alliance, where he played for 2 years prior to moving down to Cardiff to study for a sport science undergraduate degree in 2011. Brad worked hi way up through the Met system and became a member of the first team squad in 2014 assuming the captaincy a year later which he still holds today. Brad has played a pivotal role in the recent success at the club and is a wonderful example to both his team mates and the younger players within the Archers set-up.
Emlyn Lewis
Defender
Hailing from a rural community in West Wales, Emlyn spent most of his early days in swimming pools, competing at a national level, before committing to football at the age of 16, making his debut for Penrhyncoch FC in the Cymru Alliance. At the age of 18, Emlyn moved to the capital and 5 years on he’s still here having completed an Undergraduate Degree and a Masters Degree in Sport Coaching. Emlyn lists the highlights of his career as winning back to back BUCS Cup Championships, winning the National League Cup whilst also achieving European Qualification in addition ton representing the Wales C team vs England C in March 2019.
Guto Williams
Midfielder
Guto started playing football at the age of 5 and made his WPL debut for Bangor City at the age of 17, before going on to have a trial at Liverpool where he was coached by his idol Steven Gerrard. In addition, Guto captained Wales Academies Under 18’s to victory vs Ireland and also captained Wales Schools in the Centenary Shield. After completing his A-Levels Guto moved to Cardiff Met and begins his third season at the club having been part of the MG Cup winning side as well as helping the club achieve European qualification.
Eliot Evans
Midfield
Having failed to gain a YTS contract after a spell at Bristol City FC academy, at Eliot decided to pursue a degree in Sport and Exercise Science at Cardiff Met beginning his Archers career in Tier 4 of Welsh football. After two seasons at Monouth Town, were he won the Welsh League, Eliot rejoined the club in 2015 and his second period at the club has seen promotion to the Welsh Premier League, winning the Welsh League Cup, qualification into the Europa League as well as international call-ups with the Wales C squad. He graduated in 2018 with a Master’s degree in Sport Management. As well as his academic and sporting achievements he has been employed as an Associate Tutor, coach mentor and academy coach at Cardiff Met.
Chris Baker
Midfield
‘Bakes’ began his football career within Swansea City’s youth academy and after being released by Swansea, Chris returned to education and was part of the Gower College Welsh and British Cup winning squads moving to the capital to study for his undergraduate degree. Chris is a current PhD student going into his seventh season at the club and during that time has been part of the team that won promotion, a league cup, the BUCS championship and European qualification. An all action midfielder who sometimes doesn't get the credit he deserves, Chris scored Cardiff Met’s first ever goal in front of the Sgorio cameras against Aberystwyth.
Josh Thomas
Forward
Josh is a recent recruit and is an all-action striker who certainly makes life difficult for opposing defenders. We welcome Josh to the club and wish him all the best during his time here at Cyncoed.
Charlie Corsby
Midfield
Charlie is currently a Lecturer in Sports Coaching at the Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences. Originally from Bournemouth, Charlie began a semiprofessional playing career at Brockenhurst FC and having moved to Cardiff to study BSc Sports Coaching, Charlie continued his playing career at Cardiff Met FC (formerly UWIC). Moving into his tenth year at the club, Charlie has been involved in the team’s success winning Welsh Division Three, Welsh Division Two, Welsh Division One and, more recently, the Nathaniel MG Cup. Charlie is also the Academy Director at Cardiff Met FC and holds a UEFA A & Elite Youth Licence.
Harry Owen
Midfield
Harry grew up in Gloucestershire and played local club football before spending time at a variety of different professional outfits, Harry pursued further education at Cirencester College where he was involved in playing for Cirencester Town, in addition to representing Gloucestershire County, England Colleges and England Schoolboys. Harry chose to continue his education at Cardiff Met, whilst enabling him to play at the highest level of Welsh football. Having been sidelined through injury for long periods, Harry’s return will be a great boost for the team following the departure of Jordan Lam.
Ollie Hulbert
Forward
Another loanee from Bristol Rovers, Ollie made an instant impact on his debut in the Cymru Premier with two goals against Aberystwyth at Park Avenue to help the Archers to a 3-2 victory. Ollie has also signed a professional contract at the Memorial Ground and speaking about the youngster agreeing his first professional deal, Manager Ben Garner said, "Ollie is a player that has come all the way through the Academy system from a young age. He is highly regarded by the Academy staff and has shown his potential when training with the first-team squad."
Kieron Proctor
Midfielder/Forward
Kieron began his football career with local club Ely Rangers before joining Cardiff City. Serious injury hampered his time with the Bluebirds and Kieron was released having spells with Taff’s Well in addition to playing in Australia. A skilful number 10, Kieron certainly has the ability to have a big impact here at Cyncoed.
Joe Evans
Defender
Former player at Cambrian & Clydach Vale FC, who had an impressive first season with Cardiff Met. Joe is studying a Masters Degree in Sports Leadership & Management at Cyncoed and has had the honour of representing Wales at both University and College level. Joe can play anywhere in the back four and his versatility was evident last season with a consistent first campaign with the Archers.
CJ Craven
Midfielder
CJ joins us from TNS and looks to have an excellent technique as well as an eye for a pass. We wish him well in his time here and look forward to seeing more of him as the season progresses.
Jac Davies
Defender
Jac joins the Archers after previously spending time at Cardiff City Academy. Comfortable on the ball and rarely gives possession away, we welcome Jac and wish him well during his time here.
Rhydian Morgan
Defender
A sporting all-rounder, Rhydian excelled at both cricket and tennis before turning his attention to football and a degree at Cardiff Met. Rhydian signing for Welsh Premier League academy side Llandudno Academy through the age groups before signing a 1st team contract at the age of 17. This led to yet another International call up, being selected for Welsh Schools. Now in his third year at the club, ’Rodney’ won the BUCS National Championship in his 1st year alongside winning the Nathaniel MG Cup and playing in both European Play-Off finals.
Liam Warman
Midfielder/Forward
Liam began his football journey at the Cardiff City Academy which he joined at the age of 10. After spending 6 years with the Bluebirds, he moved to Newport County as a scholar, staying with the club for two years in which time the team went undefeated in the Merit Youth League whilst winning the title. Now in his second year at Cyncoed, Liam is a pacy winger who has developed during his time at the club and has forced his way into the first team after some impressive pre-season performances.
Matt Chubb
Defencder
Matt’s early football career was spent with his local team Braunton FC but at 16 he decided to primarily focus on competing in athletics. After two years of focusing on athletics, his arrival at University led to an increased desire to prioritise football. He began his Cardiff Met journey in the fourth team and has progressed year on year to take his place in the first team squad. He is a current MSc student in Strength and Conditioning after completing his Sport and Exercise Science undergraduate degree.
Liam Black
Defender
After moving to Cardiff in 2012 to study at Uni, he joined Cardiff Met FC who were competing in the 4th Tier of Welsh domestic football and the 3rd Tier of university football at the time. Liam’s time at Cyncoed has coincided with a glittering period in the history of the club, winning various promotions, 2 BUCs championships, 1 league cup and a Europa League qualification. Liam currently works as an Associate Tutor. Cardiff Met has also supported Liam on his coaching journey having worked within the reserve team as well as completing his UEFA A licence. Liam is the Head Coach of the U-19s.
Ashton Gleed
Attacker
Ashton is originally from Swindon and in entering his third year at Cardiff Met. He has previously captained his County from u15-u18. After playing youth football he moved around various college set ups before leaving to play and coach in New Zealand in his gap year, before settling into university life. Last year he played a combination of football at home within a dual sign before obtaining international clearance to play for Cardiff Met.
Sam Pashen
Midfielder
Born in Dorchester, In his early years Sam played for Dorchester Town FC with selection for the Dorset County side and a spell at AFC Bournemouth Youth Academy following. After completing his A Levels Sam decided that Cardiff Met was the ideal place to grow both footballing and academic careers. Now in the 3rd year of a Sports and Exercise Science degree beginning to focus on my dissertation and future academia in the direction of a Masters in Strength and Conditioning. Outside of football, one of his proudest achievements was completing a 120-mile trek on his gap year, to Mount Everest Base Camp, raising money for charity.
Alex Lang
Goalkeeper
The 2018/19 season was his first as part of the Cardiff Met FC team, and also his first time in full time education since the age of 15 after playing for Swansea City from the age of 11 until 18. After leaving Swansea, Alex decided to restart his education at Cardiff Met studying Sport and Physical Education, having a particular interest in goalkeeper coaching. An excellent shot stopper, Lang has proved himself to be an able deputy for Will Fuller and has certainly given the management plenty to think about for the forthcoming season.
Craig Davies
Midfielder
19 year old Craig is originally from a small village in West Wales called Synod Inn. Craig joined the Archers recently having spent 7 years at Swansea City FC from U12’s to the U23’s. After moving from home to live in Swansea at 14, he signed a 2 year scholarship shortly after. During this time he was able to gain valuable experiences playing against other top Category 1 clubs such as Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal on a regular basis. “I am looking forward to using my positive experiences and attributes to help Cardiff Met this season.”
Brandon Roberts Midfielder Born in Abergavenny, and currently studying A Levels at Llanishen High School, Brandon has risen through the Cardiff Met Uni FC Academy ranks making his senior debut against Connah’s Quay earlier this season. He has also played for Cardiff Schools at County level where he represented them in both the Welsh and English School Cups. Brandon is a versatile player comfortable on either wing, in the traditional role or as wing back. On occasion he has also played upfront. Before joining Cardiff Met, he competed for Cardiff Archers Elite Athletics squad in endurance events.
Tom Price
Midfielder
Another recent addition, Tom is an attacking midfielder with an eye for a pass and has impressed during his time at the club. Comfortable on the ball, the Met faithful will hope he can add a few goals to his game as the Archers look to climb the Cymru Premier table.
Mathew Jones
Midfielder
Mathew has spent time at Wrexham and originally signed for Flint before deciding to further his education and sign for Cardiff Met without playing a game at Cae-y-Castell. We look forward to seeing him in action and welcome him to Cyncoed.
Max Manson
Goalkeeper
A native of Newport South Wales he signed for his hometown club Newport County when he was 15. After his second ACL reconstruction surgery he studied a Level 3 Diploma in sport at County in the Community college programme. He is now into my third year of studying at Cardiff Met with future desires of doing a postgraduate PGCE to become a primary education teacher.
Matt Blake
Defender
Matt joins the Archers on loan from Swansea City and is a promising left sided defender. He possesses a cultured left foot and has already impressed with his set-piece delivery. We welcome Matt to the club and look forward to seeing him feature in phase two.
Lewis Rees
Midfielder/Forward
Lewis is a left-footed attacker who has shown in his short time at the club a desire to attack opposition full-backs with both pace and trickery. Lewis joins us on loan from The New Saints where he has found his first team opportunities limited not least since the arrival of Adam Roscrow from AFC Wimbledon. We extend a warm welcome to Lewis and hope he can replicate some of his early performances in the Archers shirt.
Christian Edwards (born 23 November 1975) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a defender. He played mainly as a centre back but has also played on the right of the defence. Edwards made more than 300 Football League appearances, most prominently for Swansea City, Nottingham Forest and Bristol Rovers. He also made loan appearances for several other clubs before moving into non-league football. He also represented Wales at full international and under21 levels. Upon returning to education Edwards took over at Cardiff Met as manager whilst studying for a degree and ultimately a PhD. Under his management the Archers enjoyed an unprecedented period of success, winning three promotions to take their place in the Welsh Premier League in 2016. After two successive Europa League play-off final losses, Met finally made it third time lucky with a penalty shoot out victory over Bala Town at Maes Tegid and faced Progres Niederkorn in the qualifying round. The students more than matched their full-time opponents over the two legs and were unlucky to exit the competition on away goals. The Archers also added the 2019 MG Cup to the Trophy cabinet with a 2-0 victory over Cambrian and Clydach at Jenner Park
For football fans everywhere the past year has been extremely frustrating. Unfortunately when the initial first Lockdown was announced in March 2020, football came to a sudden halt. For me, this meant I wasn’t able to watch Cardiff Met every Saturday and there was no live football to enjoy on the television, only repeats of Match of the Day! All fixtures for my under 9s football team Clwb Cymric Crocs were cancelled and we didn’t restart playing for six long months.
When we began playing football again in September 2020 there were many changes our coaches had to implement, directed from the Football Association of Wales in order to keep everyone safe from Covid. Before every training session our parents needed to complete an online Covid questionnaire, 24 hours before hand. Upon arriving at training, the coaches made sure we were temperature tested and regularly cleansed our hands with hand-sanitizer. I really enjoyed playing again and seeing my friends after such a long time away from each other. Unfortunately, our parents were not allowed to stay and watch from the sidelines as they normally do. Parents were instructed to drop off and pick up only, in order to avoid crowds of people congregating together. Between October and December we were allowed to play 6-a-side fixtures again, against other teams in the Cardiff and District Football League, which everyone really enjoyed. FAW Covid safety protocols meant we were not allowed to play several teams on the same day as we normally do, rather we played four matches against the same team, in order to avoid too much mixing. On a few occasions our squad of forty players were affected by the virus and
our numberes were depleted due to selfisolation periods among many of the players who come from nine diffrent Welsh medium primary schools within Cardiff. However our joy of playing regularly was again short-lived because rising rates of the virus took hold and the Welsh Assremebly Government were required to announce another Lockdown in December 2020, and all football in Wales including the Cymru Premier was cancelled once again. I couldn’t even enjoy watching Cardiff Met play their festive fixtures over the Christmas period which was a real shame. At long last, as winter turned to spring and the Covid cases in Wales decreased, I was hopeful football would would soon return and thankfully this Spring we have been allowed to return to football. In April we began traning at Pontcanna Fields and Saturday morning fixtures against other teams in Cardiff began shortly afterwards at locations such as Gôl, Powerleague and Ocean Park. The previous Covid measures are still in place but everyone is happy to comply in order that we continue to play football regularly. We have began weekly training on the astro turf pitch at Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr and really hope we do not have any further interruptions or Lockdowns in the future. I hope everyone is looking forward to today’s game against Cefn Druids. I hope dicussing cancellation of matches isn’t a bad omen for today’s match and we don’t go through the agony of another Cardiff Met v Cefn Druids cancellation due to a kit clash! Mwynhewch y gêm - Enjoy the game!
I gefnogwyr pêl-droed ledled y wlad mae'r flwyddyn ddiwethaf wedi bod yn hynod rwystredig. Yn anffodus pan gyhoeddwyd y Cyfnod Clo cychwynnol ym mis Mawrth 2020, terfynwyd pêl-droed yn sydyn. I mi, roedd hyn yn golygu nad oeddwn yn gallu gwylio Met bob dydd Sadwrn ac nid oedd pêl-droed byw i'w fwynhau ar y teledu, dim ond ailddarllediadau o Match of the Day! Cafodd yr holl gemau ar gyfer fy nhîm pêldroed dan 9 oed Clwb Cymric Crocs eu canslo ac ni wnaethon ailgychwyn chwarae am chwe mis hir a diflas. Pan ddechreuon ni chwarae pêl-droed eto ym mis Medi 2020, roedd yn rhaid cyflwyno llawer o newidiadau, wedi'u cyfarwyddo gan Gymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru er mwyn cadw pawb yn ddiogel rhag Covid. Cyn pob sesiwn hyfforddi roedd angen i'n rhieni lenwi holiadur Covid ar-lein, 24 awr ymlaen llaw. Wedi cyrraedd y sesiwn hyfforddiant, gwnaeth yr hyfforddwyr yn siŵr ein bod yn cynnal prawf tymheredd ac yn glanhau ein dwylo'n rheolaidd gyda glanweithydd dwylo. Fe wnes i fwynhau chwarae eto a gweld fy ffrindiau ar ôl amser mor hir i ffwrdd o’n gilydd. Yn anffodus, ni chaniatawyd i'n rhieni aros a gwylio o'r ystlys fel oeddent yn gwneud cyn y pandemig. Cyfarwyddwyd rhieni i ollwng a chasglu yn unig, er mwyn osgoi torfeydd o bobl yn ymgynnull. Rhwng mis Hydref a mis Rhagfyr caniatawyd i ni chwarae gemau 6 bob ochr eto, yn erbyn timau eraill yng Nghynghrair Bêl-droed Caerdydd a'r Cylch, ac fe wnaeth pawb eu mwynhau yn fawr. Roedd protocolau diogelwch Covid CBDC yn golygu nad oeddem yn cael chwarae mwy nag un tîm ar yr un pryd sef y drefn arferol. Yn hytrach chwaraeom bedair gêm yn erbyn yr un tîm, er mwyn osgoi gormod o gymysgu. Ymhen ychydig o benwythnosau cafodd ein carfan o ddeugain chwaraewr eu heffeithio gan y
firws ac yn sgil cyfnodau hunan-ynysu dilynol ymhlith llawer o'n chwaraewyr sy'n dod o naw ysgol gynradd cyfrwng Cymraeg gwahanol yng Nghaerdydd. Fodd bynnag, byrhoedlog oedd ein llawenydd o chwarae'n rheolaidd oherwydd bod cyfraddau cynyddol y firws wedi cydio ac roedd yn ofynnol i Lywodraeth Cymru gyhoeddi Cyfnod Clo arall ym mis Rhagfyr 2020. Canslwyd yr holl bêl-droed yng Nghymru gan gynnwys y Cymru Premier unwaith eto. Nid oeddwn yn gallu hyd yn oed mwynhau gwylio Met yn chwarae eu gemau Nadoligaidd dros gyfnod y Nadolig oedd yn drueni mawr. O'r diwedd, wrth i'r gaeaf droi at wanwyn a lleihad yn achosion Covid Cymru, roeddwn yn obeithiol y byddai pêl-droed yn dychwelyd yn fuan. Diolch byth ers y Pasg rydym wedi cael dychwelyd i chwarae pêldroed unwaith yn rhagor. Ym mis Ebrill dechreuon ni ymarfer ar Gaeau Pontcanna a dechreuwyd gemau bore Sadwrn buan wedyn yn erbyn timau eraill yng Nghaerdydd mewn lleoliadau fel Gôl, Powerleague ac Ocean Park. Mae mesurau blaenorol Covid dal ar waith ond o leiaf y mae pawb yn hapus i gydymffurfio er mwyn i ni barhau i chwarae pêl-droed yn rheolaidd. Rydym wedi cychwyn sesiynau ymarfer wythnosol ar gae astro Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr ac yn obeithiol na fydd unrhyw ymyraethau pellach na Chyfnodau Clo eraill yn y dyfodol. Gobeithiaf fod pawb yn edrych ymlaen at y gêm heddiw yn erbyn Derwyddon Cefn. Croesaf fy mysedd nad yw sôn am ohirio gemau yn arwydd gwael ar gyfer y gêm heddiw ac nid ydym yn mynd trwy boen canslo gêm arall rhwng Met a’r Derwyddon Cefn oherwydd lliw'r citiau!
Mwynhewch y gêm!
ANCIENTS
ARCHERS 1
Will Fuller
1
Michael Jones
2
Dylan Rees
3
Naim Arsan
3
Kyle McCarthy
4
Josh Green
4
Brad Woolridge (c)
5
Phil Mooney
5
Emlyn Lewis
6
Aaron Simpson
6
Guto Williams
7
Ethan Cartwright
7
Eliot Evans
8
Harry Brazel
8
Chris Baker
10 Alex Darlington
9
Josh Thomas
12 Jake Buckle
10 Charlie Corsby
13 Dawid Szczepaniak
11 Harry Owen
14 Sam Phillips
12 Ollie Hulbert
15 Niall Flint
14 Kieron Proctor
16 Iwan Cartwright
15 Joe Evans
17 Ben Barrett
16 CJ Craven
18 Tom Reilly
17 Jac Davies
19 Cody Ruberto
18 Rhydian Morgan
20 Jonny Taylor
19 Liam Warman
21 Joe Faux
20 Matt Chubb
24 Harry Fuller
22 Liam Black
27 Chris Aziamale
23 Ashton Gleed
28 Ryan Kershaw
24 Sam Pashen
29 Jacob Wise
25 Alex Lang
31 Ben Edwards
26 Craig Davies
33 Steff Edwards
27 Brandon Roberts
39 Charley Edge
28 Tom Price
45 Max Pritchard
29 Mathew Jones
48 Josh Walker
30 Max Manson
53 Harry Killick
31 Matthew Blake
60 Brad Knight
32 Lewis Rees
61 Jack Weston
Referee: Huw Jones
Assistant Referee: Richard Dolphin Assistant Referee: Cilan Thomas 4th Official: Ryan Kenny