CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY (Cyncoed Campus)

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE, CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY 2-0 AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON, ATTENDANCE: 319

It was with tired eyes and a banging headache that I awoke today after spending the previous night in the Tiny Rebel Urban Tap House analysing Wales' disappointing 1-1 draw with Serbia.

After a Wetherspoons breakfast had put me right, I Continued the theme of yesterday by paying a visit to another team with links to a University. Welsh Premier League 'newboys' Cardiff Metropolitan University were hosting visitors from the North, Airbus UK Broughton.

The last time I visited the Cyncoed Campus was for a Welsh Cup tie in 2011, when the club were known as University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC) and they played on the adjacent pitch. The small stand is still there but the pitch is now used for rugby.

The club became known as Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2012 but that was the latest in a series of name changes based on the name of the institution it was representing. The major name change occurred in in 2000 when the club merged with four times League of Wales runners up Inter Cardiff to become UWIC Inter Cardiff.

The club played under this name as they fell from the top tier to the Welsh league 3rd Division before simply becoming UWIC in 2009. The change of name to Cardiff Met in 2012 has coincided with a renaissance as the club secured three promotions in four seasons to rise back to the top tier of Welsh football. Former welsh international Dr Christian Edwards, who was in charge on my last visit, is still the Director of Football at the club.

There was a good crowd today as the club make watching Premier League football affordable. It was £6 to get in, and that includes your programme, but for Students it is only £1 on production of their card. There were plenty of young faces in the crowd, including a small section in the corner who were quite literally banging the drum for Cardiff.

This is the fourth time I have seen Cardiff Met. play this season and, in my humble opinion, I think they are the best footballing side in the division. Early on their performances didn't garner the points they merited but, in recent weeks, the results have now started to come and the club are now in the upper echelons of the table, sitting in 6th position.

Airbus on the other hand, after beating Cardiff Met. on the opening day, have struggled this season and are currently in the relegation zone on goal difference.

The game today went with form as the students impressed once again. Adam Roscrow gave the home side the lead on the half hour mark when he headed home a sublime cross Kyle McCarthy. Charlie Corsby doubled the students lead after when he fired home from inside the box early in the second half.

Airbus were not without chances with some last ditch defending preventing them from getting on the scoresheet. Cardiff also hit the woodwork three times but the game ended with just the two goals.

ABERDARE TOWN (Aberaman Park)

FAW WELSH CUP 3rd ROUND, ABERDARE TOWN 4-2 PRESTATYN TOWN, ATTENDANCE: 120 (est)

A trip to the Cynon Valley today as Welsh Cup holders Prestatyn Town began their defence of the trophy at Aberaman Park, the home of Aberdare Town. 

This had 'potential banana skin' written all over it as Welsh Premier League Prestatyn headed south to take on their Welsh League Division One opponents.

Founded in 1892, Aberdare Town were previously known as Aberaman Athletic before the changing their name to Aberdare Town in 2012. Aberaman Athletic had won the Welsh League as recently as 2009, but were denied promotion on ground criteria.

It was an eventful game as the cup holders crashed out and finished the game with eight men. 

Prestatyn were down to ten men after 7 minutes when Sean Hessey was deemed to be last man and was given a straight red before Chris Miethke gave the homesters the lead after 29 minutes. 

On 33 minutes Lee Hunt received his second yellow card and just before half time Miethke netted his second to give Aberdare a 2-0 interval lead. 

This was soon 3-0 after the restart when Sam Small broke clear to score before Mike Parker deflected home a Jack Lewis shot to reduce the arrears on 55 minutes, to give the seasiders hope. That hope was quickly extinguished when David Hayes was given a straight red for foul and abusive language. 

Sam Danby made it 4-1 with 12 minutes remaining before Andy Parkinson got a second for Prestatyn after 85 minutes. 

Obviously the sending offs had a huge impact on the result and it is a case of 'what if?' for Prestatyn, but take nothing away from Aberdare they had a right go and unsettled Prestatyn from the off,  playing some decent attacking football. Their two wingers caused problems to the Prestatyn defence throughout the game. Aberdare will now be at home to Bodedern Athletic in round 4. 

Pre-match was spent in the Red Cow in Llwydcoed where two Gower Ales 'Sampson's Jack' and 'Gower Gold' were on offer. A top day out in South Wales.

Match highlights can be found on this link here