Report: Marc Prosser

Cardiff City's under 18s began their Premier League Academy season with a 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester City. In a match that only really sprung into life in the final half hour, Cardiff were undone by some rare defensive errors coupled with Man City's trickiness and potency in attack.

Both sides looked to settle into their rhythm from the off but neither could keep possession for long enough to cause worry for their opponents at a sun drenched Cardiff International Sports Stadium.

The Cardiff defence cleared Man City's early corner but the first real threat was from the hosts. Left winger Leigh Smith dribbled with the ball out wide before cutting inside and feeding Luke Cummings with a ball that split the visitor's defence. The Man City 'keeper came to his side's rescue, coming off his line to dive at Cummings' feet and prevent any opportunity.

Man City then went looking for openings themselves, and in tricky left winger Jeremy Helan, had a player of genuine skill and ability who was a constant threat to right back Steffan Jones. His first telling contribution was a low cross that hit Bluebirds defender Zak Evans and ended up back in the grateful hands of Jordan Santiago.

He was involved again minutes later when a neatly engineered Man City attack culminated in Helan supplying big striker John Gudetti. Gudetti, whose well timed run took him to the left of goal, put a dangerous cross towards the 6-yard box but the commanding Alex Evans headed away for Cardiff.

The Bluebirds replied with two dangerous crosses themselves. Leigh Smith almost put it on a plate for Nathaniel Jarvis but the ball was inches too high for the striker and instead found right winger Luke Cummings. Well positioned, Cummings put the ball back across for Mamadou Diallo on the far post but this time it was defended well and the Bluebirds were awarded a corner.

Man City's threat didn't diminish though and they had the better of the first half's latter stages. Helan weaved his way past right back Jones and saw his cross deflected wide for a corner from which central midfielder Reece Wabara headed over.

It was Man City, regarded as one of the best academy sides in the country, who were now having most of the possession and diminutive striker Jack Redshaw saw a long range drive fly inches over the bar.

Moments earlier Bluebirds right back Jones showed another side to his game, juggling the ball and beating two City players in the box before seeing his effort blocked by a covering defender.

Cardiff had a penalty shout turned away two minutes before half time when Ibrham Farah went down but there was no real protest and so the score stayed 0-0 going into half time.

Half Time Score: Cardiff City Under 18s 0 - 0 Manchester City Under 18s

Man City forced the issue at the start of the second half, winning three corners in quick succession which were all dealt with by Cardiff's well marshalled defence.

There was not much in the way of goal scoring opportunities for either team in the opening 15 minutes, but with half hour remaining on the clock Man City proved why they are so successful at academy level.

First they capitalised on some unusual sloppy defending by Cardiff which gifted Ahmad Benali with an easy chance to put the visitor's 1-0 up.

Neal Ardley shouted words of encouragement but his side, without influential figures Aaron Wildig, Aaron Morris and Adam Matthews who are with the first team, had barely no time to settle before that lead was doubled.

Omar Abdoullali was in target this time, unmarked, finding a gap at the near post following a team mate's deep cross. It was now 2-0 to the visiting City.

The Bluebirds made two changes during the second half; Leigh Smith made way for Gethin Hill and Luke Jones came on for Luke Cummings.

Cardiff almost got a goal back with 10 minutes to go through Jarvis. It was substitute Luke Jones who controlled a cross in the area before pulling the ball back to Jarvis who fluffed a glorious chance in front of goal. The Man City goalkeeper did just enough to put the striker off.

Five minutes later Santiago was called into action in the Cardiff goal to pull off the game's best save. Jack Redshaw had managed to dribble into the box and from right of goal saw his powerful shot met by Santiago's strong hands to go out for a corner.

Redshaw wasn't to leave empty handed though, and in the final minutes won a penalty for his side. He took the spot kick himself to round off a good afternoon for Manchester City, and leave the Bluebirds' young side to reflect on the stern test given by their opponents.

Full Time Score: Cardiff City Under 18s 0 - 3 Manchester City Under 18s

Cardiff Team: 1. Jordan Santiago 2. Steffan Jones 20. Jonathan Meades 4. Zak Evans 5. Alex Evans 6. Kye Edwards 7. Luke Cummings 8. Ibi Farah 9. Nathaniel Jarvis 10. Mamadou Diallo 11. Leigh Smith

Subs: 12. Stephen Last 13. Reece Ottley 14. Sameth Al Basith 15. Luke Jones 16. Gethin Hill