The 2024/2025 BUCS campaign is in full swing for Cardiff University Men’s Football Club, with all three squads making a strong impression across their respective leagues. The 1st team are battling it out in the highly competitive Men’s Western Tier 1, facing off against top university sides such as Cardiff Met and Bristol University. Meanwhile, the 2nd team are performing in Western Tier 2, in a tightly contested division.
The 3rd team, competing in Western Tier 5, has a growing sense of momentum. Across the board, Cardiff’s squads are demonstrating the necessary qualities as they push for success in both league and cup competitions. The Cardiff University Men’s 1st team impressed on Wednesday, winning 4–1 at home against Plymouth Marjon.
Cardiff have 7 points from 4 games and sit 2nd behind Cardiff Met’s 2s. However, the team has not lost a game since picking up 7 points from an available 9. Going into the fourth game of the season against the Plymouth Marjon’s Men’s 1, Cardiff University’s 1st team were unsure as to how the game would play out, as Plymouth have been a strong side in previous years.
The season has been very up and down so far, starting with a narrow 3–2 loss to Cardiff Met 2’s at home.
These worries were quelled early on with a well-worked move that left Sam Macleod one-on-one with the keeper. Macleod’s effort was saved, with the ball rebounding to Giles Basson, who scored his first of the game to put Cardiff 1–0 up. Cardiff capitalised on the early momentum, with Bason netting a penalty before half-time, following a clumsy tackle by a Marjon Defender.
The second half continued the good fortune of the first, with Bason scoring his third goal, completing the hat-trick. As the game progressed into the latter stages, Marjon picked up a red card for dissenting, before scoring for 3-1. Any hopes of a comeback, however, were curbed when Albie Turner sealed the game with a chip for 4-1.
Cardiff University 1’s look to continue carry their good form into the cup campaign where they face Bristol’s 1s in the Men’s National Trophy. Cardiff have yet to face Bristol in the league so this will prove a big test for the side. Looking over to the second fixture on Wednesday for Cardiff Uni FC, the University 3s played the Cardiff Medics’ 2s in their league campaign, ending in a tight 2-2 draw.
This game was the first encounter between the medics and the university team for several years and this rivalry was displayed on the pitch. The medics’ 2s took the lead twice, both times the Cardiff Uni 3s equalised, leaving a point shared on the table for both sides. The University 3s sit 2nd in the BUCS Western Tier 5 and the Medic 2s 4th after 4 games.
The 2s did not have a game this week as they prepare to meet Bristol University’s 4s in the Men’s Western Conference Cup. The 2s sit 4th in the league after 3 games played. With all three Cardiff University men’s teams showing promise across their respective leagues, momentum is building as the season progresses.
The 1s will look to impress in the cup as they face Bristol in the National Trophy, while the 2s prepare for the Conference Cup tie. Meanwhile, the 3s continue to perform after their draw against the Medics.