Taffs Well - 18.10.25 - Match Report

Five-Star Met March On

This weekend’s action saw a break in Cardiff Met’s league campaign as they took on Taffs Well in the JD Welsh Cup.

Taffs Well, who are struggling domestically in tier three after relegation last season, travelled to Cyncoed Campus with nothing to lose and a point to prove.

As expected, Met dominated possession and territory in the early exchanges and took the lead after just seven minutes through forward Jasper Payne. A neat chipped cross from left-back Soady found his head just outside the six-yard box, and Payne made no mistake.

After half an hour, Met and Payne doubled their tally — this time with skipper CJ Craven providing the assist. Towards half-time, Met grew frustrated as they struggled to break down Taffs Well’s low block and failed to capitalise on several half-chances.

Half-time: Cardiff Met 2–0 Taffs Well

Ten minutes into the second half, it was wing-back to wing-back for Met’s third of the afternoon. Some clever play down the left from Sam Richards set up Soady to cross, finding his opposite wing-back Sam Jones, who broke into the box to convert from close range.

In the 69th minute, Payne completed his hat-trick — his first as an archer— with Jones turning provider this time.

Payne’s work was done, and he was replaced two minutes later by a rested Fumpa Mwandwe. Met also introduced U19 player Harrison Matthews in place of Matthew Chubb.

In the 80th minute, after some tireless running, Matthews made an immediate impact by winning a penalty following a foul inside the opposition box. In a great show of team spirit, Lewis Rees handed him the ball, and the youngster calmly sent the Taffs Well goalkeeper the wrong way, slotting home low and hard. His first senior goal for Met made it 5–0.

The visitors did grab a consolation late on, as a defensive mix-up at the back allowed Taffs Well’s Ethan Deacon to find the net for the travelling side.

Full-time: Cardiff Met 5–1 Taffs Well

Met progress into the next round of the JD Welsh Cup and now turn their attention back to league action against Flint Town United on Saturday. Unbeaten in five, the Archers will look to extend their impressive run at the Cyncoed Stadium this weekend.