U18 | BLUEBIRDS 3-1 BRENTFORD

Three first half goals from James Waite, Ibi So Sani and Mark Harris were enough to give City the three points in this PDL2 South fixture.

Wide man Aidan Chappell-Smith had the first real chance of the game when he cut inside to fire just wide after some excellent build-up play.

City ‘keeper Scott Coughlan was then on hand to keep things scoreless as he got down low to save Danny Parrish’s shot.

The young Bluebirds didn’t have to wait long for the first goal as danger man Chappell-Smith used his pace and strength out wide to get to the by-line and pull the ball back for Waite, who finished well.

City then doubled their lead on 23 minutes, the lively Chappell-Smith involved again robbing Brentford in midfield to feed So Sani. His powerful shot beat Cameron Greaves in the Bees goal for pace from eight yards out.

Five minutes from half-time, the young Bluebirds made it three when Jarrad Welch played a defence splitting pass to Harris who coolly finished through the legs of Greaves. This proved to be the last action of a dominant first half for the hosts.

The away side fought hard in the second half, looking to find a way back into the match but were kept quiet by the defensively strong Bluebirds.

The Bees did find a way past Cardiff on one occasion, and it took something special. Zach Birse with a 35-yard wonder strike, a quite incredible effort from the Brentford youngster.

There was drama in stoppage time as Brentford were awarded a penalty following a mix-up in communication in the City backline. Brentford’s number 10 Julius Fenn-Evans stepped up but was unable to beat Coughlan in the City goal.

It wouldn’t have altered the result, the future City stars fully deserving of their three points after controlled the majority of the play throughout the match.

Cardiff City: Coughlan, Coxe, Kelly, Humphries (Spence ’66), Parry (R.Menayese ’84), Young, Harris, Welch, So Sani, Waite, Chappell-Smith.  Subs not used: E.Menayese, Proctor, Bowen.

Brentford: Greaves, Tilev (Bird ’84), Mitchell, Kamanzi, Owens ©, Birse, Dann, Gonzalez-Velasco, Parrish, Fenn-Evans, Harmes (Eshun ’60). Subs not used: Carey, Kifwashid.