DVP: SWANS 1-2 CITY

Forward Rhys Healey's clinical double won Cardiff City's development side the South Wales bragging rights, defeating Swansea City 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium. 

Nilton Terroso’s side included returning winger Craig Noone for a second consecutive match. Noone played the first 45 minutes as City’s development side defeated Birmingham City last week. Experienced duo Kagisho Dikgacoi and Etien Velikonja were also given game time at the Liberty Stadium.

Following some strong build up play, the home team took the lead on 20 minutes. Modou Barrow, recently signed from Östersunds FK, slotted the ball past Charlie Horton after being put through on goal to give Chris Llewellyn’s U21 team a one goal advantage.

Noone’s creativity almost aided the City development side as they threatened to equalise after 32 minutes. Rhys Healey’s attempted bicycle kick from the through ball fell for Tommy O’Sullivan, whose low shot was pushed to safety somehow by Cornell.

Slovenian forward Etien Velikonja had a good chance to level after 36 minutes. Kadeem Harris and Rhys Healey couldn’t find a way past the Swans defence, with the ball falling to Velikonja on the edge of the box. The former NK Maribor man’s low effort from 18 yards deflected wide of goal. The resulting set piece gave winger Harris his first sight of goal from just inside the penalty area, but his shot was superbly blocked by Stephen Kingsley as it looked destined for the back of the net. The home side went in at half time one goal ahead. 

Experienced wide midfielder Noone almost found an equaliser after 53 minutes with an unorthodox volley. The former Brighton & Albion man's attempt from 18 yards cannoned out off the inside of Cornell's right post, with forward Rhys Healey unable to slot the rebound home. 

Kenji Gorre will have been disappointed not to double the Swansea advantage on 55 minutes. Beating his defender, Gorre's low effort from ten yards was blocked fantastically by Tom James with the Cardiff defence clearing the danger. 

The home team should have taken a two goal advantage when Kenji Gorre found Marvin Emnes three yards from goal. The forward somehow unable to divert the ball into the goal, with City 'keeper Horton reacting well to the situation to grab the ball under pressure. 

An end-to-end second half with both teams creating chances. The experience and creativity of Noone was crucial as Cardiff City's development side levelled in this derby match after 65 minutes. Out wide on the right, Noone beat his man before playing an exquisite through ball past the entire home defence for Rhys Healey to lift the ball over the outrushing Cornell and equalise for Terroso's team. 

Craig Noone was withdrawn after 75 minutes following a strong performance with Tyler Roche coming on for the final 15 minutes on his 19th Birthday. Tommy O'Sullivan's low cross on 81 minutes almost caught the Swans defence out, but oncoming forward Danny Johnson was unable to reach the ball. 

For the second consecutive match, City's development side took the lead late in the game with forward Rhys Healey scoring his fourth goal of the U21 campaign. Birthday celebrations may follow for Tyler Roche following his rapid burst from defence, supplying Danny Johnson with a neat through ball wide on the right side. Captain Tommy O'Sullivan tried to divert Johnson's low cross, with the ball ricocheted to Healey who fired the ball beyond Cornell. 

The forward continued his heroics with a goal-line clearance to deny Swansea's Stephen Kingsley an equalising goal on 88 minutes. Giancarlo Gallifuoco will have been disappointed not to hit the target with a free header in stoppage time, but the central defender powered his header over the crossbar with City DVP taking away the bragging rights. 

Swansea City: Cornell, Shephard (Roberts, 84), Kingsley, Fulton, Gallifuoco, Tancock, Barrow (Hedges, 46), King (Samuel, 70), Gorre, Sheehan, Emnes.  Subs Not Used: Jones, Thomas.

Cardiff City: Horton, Owen, Barnum-Bobb, Dikgacoi, James, Amondarain, Noone (Roche, 75), O’Sullivan, Healey, Velikonja (Johnson, 79), Harris (B Watkins, 70). Subs Not Used: Wilson, Yorwerth.

Referee: S Shaw 

Pic thanks: Swansea City FC