DVP REPORT: CHARLTON 2-3 CARDIFF

Cardiff City's U21 development side overcame the odds to defeat Charlton Athletic at the Valley, fighting back from a two goal deficit at the interval to win by a single goal.

Two special goals from Harry Gerard gave Jason Euell's side a commanding lead at half time, but an own goal from Terrell Thomas and two poachers finishes from Macauley Southam secured all three points for Nilton Terroso's side in the English Capital City.

The hosts started strongly, controlling possession throughout the opening exchanges and deservedly took the lead after seven minutes. Harry Gerard finding the back of the net from an acute angle following strong build up play by attacking team-mates Jack Munns and Zak Ansah.

The travelling Bluebirds should have levelled after thirteen minutes, following a strong run from Deji Oshilaja. The Nigerian defender running over 60 yards with the ball, beating a number of defenders along the way before cutting the ball back for Etien Velikonja but the Slovenian striker fired over from ten yards.

This good opportunity in front of goal could have come back to haunt Cardiff on 25 minutes as Zak Ansah had a lear sight of goal, but a combination of Amondarain and Oshilaja stopped the forward's shot from crossing the goal-line with keeper Charlie Horton beaten. The hosts did score a second after 33 minutes, with Gerard once more scoring, this time with a superb effort from 20 yards out. 

The hosts came out for the second period and attempted to maintain their control over the match. Kurtis Cumberbatch's firing wide after fifty minutes before Charlie Horton was forced into action once more, producing a fine save from Zak Ansah's shot on 53. 

With little under 34 minutes remaining, the tide changed completely with Cardiff pulling a goal back in this end-to-end clash. Tyler Roche with a superb driving run down the right, before firing in a teasing cross that forced defender Terrell Thomas forced into diverting the ball past his own keeper.

It took Nilton Terroso's side just three minutes to score again, with another dangerous cross making all the difference. The first cross from the right side drifting over everyone bar Kane Owen running in at the back post, with Owen's composed powerful cross fired into the net from close range by Macauley Southam. A fantastic comeback from City's development side following a hard fought hour at the Valley. 

Owen then attempted to get on the score-sheet himself, but his long range effort was saved well by Addicks keeper Nick Pope.

The all-important fifth goal did come after 69 minutes, with Southam completing a truly incredible second half display with his second goal of the match. It was Cardiff's third goal from a cross field ball -  Jazzi Barnum-Bobb's ball from the right deflected into the path of Southam by defender Oliver Muldoon with the Cardiff-born midfielder turning and firing past Pope into the bottom left corner to the delight of his team-mates.

After 76 minutes, home substitute Kadell Daniel crashed his header against the Cardiff crossbar but despite one final push, Charlton couldn't find a way back into this match. A truly incredible second half display from City's development side, showing strength and determination in fighting back from two goals down at the break.