FAW Youth Cup: Cardiff City 5-0 Merthyr Town

Academy

The young Bluebirds net five to secure a spot in Round Three...

Craig Bellamy’s side got the game underway and almost made it 1-0 inside the first minute. Sion Spence picked up a loose ball from 10 yards out but fired over with his right foot.

The hosts certainly piled on the pressure in the opening period after winning several corners which almost resulted in goals. After six minutes Spence hit the post with a header and a scramble in the box eventually led to a goal kick for the Martyrs.

The hard word did eventually pay off three minutes before the half hour. Mark Harris had an effort just outside the area cleared for a corner. The resulting set piece saw a brilliant delivery from James Waite on the right headed in off the far post by Harris to give Cardiff City a deserved lead.

City continued to threaten the away side’s defence and doubled the advantage six minutes later. Sam Bowen displayed great skill to beat several defenders in a counter attack. His powerful shot hit the frame of goal from 20 yards but Harris was on hand to clinically fire into an empty net after his initial effort was blocked by Hewitson.

It was 3-0 after 39 minutes. Harris was played through on goal and his low shot was deflected into the path of Spence who tapped in first time with his left foot from four yards out.

After the interval the young Bluebirds continued where they left off with another goal after 54 minutes. The in-form Harris played through the Captain, Waite, and he calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left to put the game well out of sight.

George Ratcliffe’s goal was rarely threatened in the match as City would go on to score their fifth at Cardiff International Sports Stadium. Substitute Isaak Davies finishing at the near post after Waite played through the young Welsh attacker on 69 minutes.

As the game approached the final 10 minutes, City almost grabbed another goal. Davies distributed great footwork on the edge of the area before his near post shot deflected wide.

The away side did press for a consolation in the closing stages but were denied by the resilient home defence. Adam Sharif in particular came on to make some vital interceptions and helped ensure a clean sheet.

FAW YOUTH CUP FULL TIME: CARDIFF CITY 5-0 MERTHYR TOWN

Cardiff City: Ratcliffe, Coxe (Sharif 57’), Margetson, Jones, Bodenham, Bowen, Parsons, Patten, M. Harris (I. Davies 57’), Spence, Waite (Smith 71’). Subs not used: C. Davies, Burwood.

Merthyr Town: Hewitson, Sullivan, Hanford, Vine, Martin, Mahagan (Islam 70’), Montgomery, Davies, Jones, Nazrali, Holland. Subs not used: Thomas.