Four-goal Cardiff Met light up Cyncoed on historic UEFA Youth League night

Cardiff Met made a statement on their UEFA Youth League debut as the Archers produced an outstanding 4-0 victory over UNA Strassen in front of more than 900 supporters at Cyncoed Stadium.

Goals from Ford, Matthews, Caleb Finlayson and Myles McKenzie gave Jack Lyons’ side a commanding advantage in the first leg of their Domestic Champions Path Round 1 tie, ahead of the return fixture in Luxembourg on 14 October.

On a memorable night for the Cardiff Met Academy, the Archers had to wait until the 38th minute to make the breakthrough, with Ford opening the scoring in front of a packed Cyncoed crowd.

Cardiff Met quickly doubled their advantage before the interval. Matthews converted from the penalty spot in the 44th minute, sending the hosts into half-time with a 2-0 lead.

Rather than protecting their advantage after the break, the Archers continued to push forward.

Finlayson made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute, sparking huge celebrations among the home support, before McKenzie completed the scoring nine minutes from time to put Cardiff Met firmly in control of the tie.

The 4-0 victory represents another significant moment in the development of the Cardiff Met Academy, with more than 900 supporters at Cyncoed witnessing the University’s first appearance in the UEFA Youth League. Jack Lyons, Academy & Youth Operations Manager at Cardiff Met said.

What an incredible night, at Cyncoed Stadium, thanks to all who attended, they certainly made it a night to remember. The players have to take enormous credit, every individual was outstanding and did the club proud. Executing the game plan, but enjoying everyone moment of this unique experience.

We are well aware, it is half time, the job is not done, UNA Strassen are a strong outfit and will come out fighting in Luxembourg.  More broadly, the amount of work to showcase the academy on the European stage, it did feel like a culmination of 10-years of hard work to develop this provision. A really special evening. 

Cardiff Met secured their place in the competition following a dramatic 2-1 victory over Connah’s Quay Nomads in the FAW National Academi Development League Play-Off in May, when Charlie Keough scored a 96th-minute winner.

That victory provided the opportunity to compete on the European stage, but Wednesday night demonstrated just how far the programme has progressed.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, Cardiff Met Director of Football System Chris Baker described qualification as the culmination of years of work across the Academy.

“So many people have invested an enormous amount of time and energy into developing this Academy over several years. Qualification for the UEFA Youth League is a reward for that collective commitment.

“The journey over the last decade is what gives the achievement real perspective. When you consider where the Academy was ten years ago, everyone who has contributed to that journey can take an enormous amount of pride in what has been achieved.”

A decade of work helped deliver the opportunity. On Wednesday night, the current generation of Archers made the most of it.

Cardiff Met will now take a four-goal advantage to Luxembourg on 14 October, with a place in the next stage of the UEFA Youth League at stake.

For more than 900 supporters at Cyncoed, though, this was already a night to remember.

Cardiff Met 4-0 UNA Strassen

Ford 38’

Matthews 44’ (pen)

Finlayson 63

’McKenzie 81’

Second leg: 14 October, Luxembourg