Students are handing out lessons to Premier rivals

CARDIFF Met University host Cefn Druids on Sunday at their Cyncoed Campus (1430), going into the weekend from the lofty position of being JD Welsh Premier League leaders.

While The New Saints were playing in the Irn Bru Cup Scottish Challenge Cup, beating Queen of the South on penalties, and Connah’s Quay Nomads were drawing at Bala, the Archers took full advantage and gained a smart 2-0 away victory at Prestatyn Town with a brace of goals from current Welsh Premier player of the month Elliot Evans.

Six seasons ago, manager Christian Edwards began his team’s meteoric rise from the Welsh League Third Division, capturing titles along the way.

And that run was also tinged with a little heartache when they saw Haverfordwest County win 5-0 on the last day of the season at Aberdare to stop them gaining promotion a year earlier than they did.

Edwards still has six or seven players in his squad which started their rise six years ago, and the togetherness at Cardiff Met, is their main strength.

The spine of their current team is as good as any at Welsh Premier level.

In goal, they have the student president Will Fuller who is a very decent number one.

The centre-back pairing of Emlyn Lewis and Bradley Woolridge look like they have played together for a decade or more, yet both are in their early 20s.

In midfield, Charlie Corsby started in Division Three as a student and is now Dr Charlie Corsby, teaching at the Campus.

Leading the front line is Adam Roscrow, who along with Kane McLaggon at Barry Town is the most potent centre forward in Welsh non-league football at present. That strong spine has plenty of quality either side of it including Joel Edwards, Kyle McCarthy and the in-form Evans.

Edwards is keen to stress his students play for no financial reward in a league where teams are being paid as professionals, so their rise must take even more credit.

Can the Archers go all the way and win the league?

The smart money says TNS will see off their challenge and be too strong in the long run.

But this student team play an exciting brand of football and are getting used to winning games on a regular basis.

Cefn Druids will be difficult opponents and, in Hugh Griffiths, they have a good manager whose team travelled to Jenner Park three weeks ago and won 3-1.

They say getting to the top is hard and staying there is harder, but if it’s down to hard work, ability, preparation and skill, you can count on Edwards and his loyal band of students making the Welsh Premier title a real battle to the end of the season.

Gavin Chesterfield and Barry Town have enjoyed an excellent couple of results in the last two weeks, too.

They followed up a wonderful 1-0 away win at TNS by easing past Llandudno last weekend, 2-0 at Jenner Park.

The Linnets suddenly have a top-six finish in their sights. Latham Park, in Newtown, is Barry’s destination tomorrow afternoon and a hat-trick of wins could be in sight if their current form continues.

The Robins have struggled so far this season, but produced the goods last weekend with a 2-0 away win at bottom-of-the-table Carmarthen Town to jump out of the bottom two, so they will fancy their chances at home.

Six points from six in the last two weeks has been a great return for Chesterfield’s team and a point on the road tomorrow wouldn’t go amiss in Barry’s first season back at this level.

In the Nathaniel Cars Welsh League First Division, Taffs Well get matters underway this evening when they entertain Monmouth Town at Rhiw Dda.

Victories have been hard to come by since Lee Bridgeman’s departure.

Adie Harris and Adrian Needs have taken over the reins will want a home victory to steady the ship this evening against their visitors from Gwent.

High-flying Llanelli Town also play tonight at their Stebonheath Ground where they host Cwmamman United.

Caerau Ely have the unenviable task of a two-hour journey west before them as they travel to current league leaders Haverfordwest County.

There are 22 points and 14 places in the league between the teams, so anything brought back to Ely by Nana Baah’s men would be a massive bonus.

Ton Pentre put in a decent performance last weekend at the Bridgemeadow Stadium but still suffered a 2-1 reverse and Kevin Richards will hope for the same commitment tomorrow at home to Lee John’s Goytre United.

Craig Hughes will host one of his former clubs as his Cambrian and Clydach entertain Port Talbot Town.

A win for ‘Cam’ would see them leapfrog the Steelmen in the league and climb into the top six.

Game of the day could be at Penybont, where Rhys Griffiths’ team play host to Afan Lido in a fourth v seventhplaced game, but home advantage should just make Penybont favourites.

Dinas Powys host STM Sports at the Murch which sees Gareth Morgan going back to a club where he was successful as a coach.

Llantwit Major host bottom club Aberdare Town, while Pontypridd Town, who are third in the table, travel to Pontardawe in Division Twos match of the day.

Julian Jenkins’ Ely Rangers are at Station Road this evening when they welcome Penrhiwceiber Rangers.

Pontyclun host Ynysygerwn, while Bridgend Street travel to Tredegar Town.

Treharris Athletic entertain Trethomas Bluebirds to round off matters in Division Three.

Full fixtures: Page 59