U21 REPORT: CARDIFF CITY 1-1 BOLTON WANDERERS

Cardiff City’s U21 Development side extended their unbeaten run to four games thanks to a 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers on Monday afternoon.

In recent weeks, the Bluebirds U21 side have built on their solid 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday with a fine 5-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road and a 3-0 defeat of Brentford at Cardiff City Stadium. It was the hosts who took the lead on 15 minutes. A raking Curtis Watkins pass found Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, he played in Macauley Southam down the line who in turn crossed superbly for Eli Phipps to head in the opener.

Six minutes later City left-back Tom James couldn’t direct his free-kick on target from 25 yards out to double the advantage.

Ten minutes from the interval and keen to find an equaliser the Trotters worked a corner routine to give Newell time to shoot in the area but goalkeeper Luke O’Reilly was more than equal to this effort.

Five minutes after the restart O’Reilly showed superb reflexes to divert a header from his own player, Tom James, away. More rear-guard action followed for City when Curtis Watkins threw himself selflessly in front of Chris Cvetko shot to divert the danger.

With Bolton pressing for a way back into the game City had a chance to catch them on the counter attack through the pace of Tyler Roche and substitute Abdi Noor but they couldn’t find the final ball to create a clear chance.

Unfortunately 15 minutes from time the Lancashire side did get themselves back on level terms when sub Alex Samizadeh raced through to slot past O’Reilly.

The goal galvanised the young Bluebirds who went on to forge three opportunities late on in the game.

Firstly, Jamie Veale directed Tyler Roche's cross just wide. Then Tom Burridge had a long-range effort deflected into the grateful arms of Ross Fitzsimons in the visitors’ goal, who would have had difficulty if it had been a clean strike.

Just before the final-whistle captain Tommy O’Sullivan had his powerful drive blocked when it looked destined for the top corner.

It wasn’t to be for a City side who march on hoping to make it five games unbeaten next time out when they visit Nottingham Forest.

Cardiff City: O’Reilly, Barnum-Bobb, James, Patten, Tamas, Watkins, Southam (Veale ’59), Wharton (Burridge ’59), Phipps (Noor ’70), O’Sullivan ©, Roche. Subs not used: Baker, Coughlan.

Bolton Wanderers: Fitzsimons, Maher ©, Garrett, Taylor, Twardzik, Lussey, Campbell-Young, Cvetko, Newell, Ceberio (Samizadeh ’63), Woolery. Subs not used: Spooner, Campbell, Perry, Griffiths.