Cardiff & Met came from behind once
again to secure a 4-1 win over Clifton Robinsons and maintain the pressure on
league leaders the University of Exeter.
In the final
game before the winter break, Cardiff & Met enjoyed the majority of
possession during the early stages but found it difficult to convert their goal
scoring chances. They were soon made to pay for their profligacy, as Robinsons
took a 1-0 lead against the run of play after a close-range finish from Tom
Jarvie.
As is
becoming the norm, conceding early seemed to kick Cardiff & Met into life,
and although they were unable to find an immediate equaliser, they found an
extra level of intensity and began to put Robinsons under significant pressure.
The Bristol team held strong however, and took their one goal lead into the
half-time interval.
Following a stern
team talk from coach Walid Abdo, Cardiff & Met came out of the traps in the
second half looking like a different team. The pressure quickly told on the
Robinsons defence and they soon conceded a penalty stroke after their
goalkeeper clattered into Ronan Taggart from behind following a sharp Cardiff
& Met counter-attack. Jack Pritchard converted from the spot in the 43rd
minute to bring the two sides level at 1-1.
Cardiff &
Met continued to attack in the same vein, and were rewarded four minutes later with
a maiden National League goal from youngster Will Riley, who made himself room
in the circle and slotted home past the Robinsons goalkeeper to make the score
2-1.
The home side
needed another goal to make the game safe, and it came in the 66th
minute after Eddy Evans pounced on a penalty corner rebound to grab his first
National League goal. Pritchard got his second of the match a minute later
after some excellent work from Charlie Hunte down the left wing to give Cardiff
& Met a deserved 4-1 win.
After league
leaders the University of Exeter lost 3-2 on the same day, the Welsh side head
into the winter break 3 points behind them in 2nd place and will
look to put plenty of pressure on in the New Year.
Next up// Cardiff & Met host Wooton
under Edge in the England Hockey Championships 2nd Round after being
granted a bye in Round 1.
Venue and time TBC.
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