Cardiff Met were unable to reclaim first place in the JD Welsh Premier League after Joel Edwards’ red card forced them to settle for a point against Cefn Druids.

Cardiff Met sit second in the table with The New Saints possessing a marginally superior goal difference and a game in hand.

Cefn Druids took the lead against the run of play but Met levelled shortly before the break.

Edwards was shown a straight red in the 60th minute for his lunge on Fisnik Hadjari which forced Christian Edwards’ side into a more cautious approach.

Druids struggled to utilise their man advantage and threaten the hosts, whose makeshift back four were rarely troubled.

Huw Griffiths might well feel frustrated with an opportunity to inflict a first home defeat of the season onto Cardiff Met missed, but it was the Students who were the frustrated side until Adam Roscow rescued his team in timely fashion with his seventh goal of the season, five minutes before half-time.

Cardiff Met dominated the early proceedings, enjoying extended spells of possession but unable to penetrate a well-drilled Druids outfit.

A rare foray forward from the visiting side then saw them steal a lead on the Met, as Nathan Peate’s downward header at the back post gave Cefn Druids an unlikely advantage.

Another effort from Peate – this time a volleyed attempt which sailed over the bar – saw the Anicents go close again as Cardiff Met began to resemble a side who were not quite completely at ease with Cefn Druids’ direct approach.

Cardiff Met took a long time to break down Newtown in their midweek League Cup win and it seemed that patience might again be of virtue on this occasion until Chris Baker prised the Druids open with a splendid searching ball that Roscow confidently tucked away, adding to his growing reputation.

Edwards’ rash challenge and subsequent red card on hour mark proved to be the turning point of the game as Cardiff Met tightened up their shape leaving Cefn Druids with more time in space in their own half.

Druids who had earlier demonstrated their ability to hurt on the counter failed to show the same initiative with the onus placed upon them to dictate and their transition play into the final third lacked craft and conviction.

Huw Griffiths turned to benched striker Ashley Ruane to capitalise on their numerical advantage but for a successive game the Druids number 9 was deprived of service, unable to make a telling impact.

Met remain well placed to challenge for European football and perhaps more, Cefn Druids with an eye on a top-six finish.

Cardiff Met University 1 Adam Roscrow 40′
Cefn Druids 1 Nathan Peate 24′

Cardiff Met University
1. Will Fuller, 2. Dylan Rees, 14. Joel Edwards, 4. Bradley Woolridge, 5. Emlyn Lewis, 10. Charlie Corsby, 7. Eliot Evans, 8. Chris Baker, 9. Adam Roscrow (15. Rhys Thomas 70′), 18. Will Evans (21. Harry Owen 33′), 3. Kyle McCarthy (6. Ben Bowler 53′). Subs not used: 11. Jordan Lam, 28. Rhydian Morgan, 30. Daniel Evans (gk)

Red Cards: Edwards 60′
Yellow Cards: McCarthy 34′

Cefn Druids
1. Michael Jones, 3. Naim Arsan, 4. Adam Hesp, 5. Matthew Eckersley, 6. Nathan Peate, 8. Alec Mudimu, 10. Michael Pritchard, 11. James Davies, 19. Fisnik Hajdari, 23. Lewis Buckley (9. Ashley Ruane 76′), 32. Neil Ashton. Subs not used: 2. Kyle Parle, 7. Stuart Cook, 20. Jonathon Taylor, 21. Ilan ap Gareth

Red Cards: None
Yellow Cards: Peate 90’+2

Attendance: 309 Referee: Richard Harrington

MD14 results
Aberystywth 1 Bala Town 2, Connah’s Quay 0 Bangor City 2, Llandudno 0 The New Saints 1, Carmarthen 0 Prestatyn 3, Newtown 3 Barry Town 0, Cardiff Met 1 Cefn Druids 1.

WPL standings
1 The New Saints P13 Pts29; 2 Cardiff Met 14-29 3 Connah’s Quay 14-27; 4 Bangor City 14-27; 5 Bala Town 14-27; 6 Cefn Druids 13-20; 7 Llandudno 14-17; 8 Barry Town 14-17; 9 Newtown 14-15; 10 Prestatyn 14-15; 11 Aberystwyth 14-12; 12 Carmarthen 14-4

Featured image courtesy of Matthew Lofthouse / Cardiff Met FC / Welsh Premier League