U18 Match Report: Watford 2-3 Cardiff City
Cardiff City’s U18 side retained their lead at the top of the PDL2 South, as they saw off a late comeback from the hosts at Bell Lane to travel back to South Wales with all three points on Saturday, January 5th.
Cardiff City’s U18 side retained their lead at the top of the PDL2 South as they saw off a late comeback from the hosts at Bell Lane, to travel back to South Wales with all three points on Saturday, January 5th.
Dan Griffiths opened the scoring for City - and Sion Spence went on to claim a double - as the visitors picked up their eleventh win of the season and remain in front of Ipswich by three points with a game in hand on the Tractor Boys.
The Bluebirds would get off to a brilliant start to the new year, as they looked to dominate the game early-on against the Hornets.
It would take just twelve minutes for Griffiths to score his eleventh league goal of the season. The forward produced a smart turn on the edge of the area, before his shot was deflected, leaving Watford ‘keeper James Hoskins with no chance of making a save.
City would continue to dominate proceedings, as Griffiths continued to cause multiple problems for the hosts. The 17 year-old found Sion Spence on the edge of the area with 34 minutes gone, and made no mistake in scoring his first goal following his comeback from injury in December, doubling the young Bluebirds' advantage.
Sam Bowen almost gave his side a three-goal advantage going into the break, after making an industrious run at the Watford defence and getting a shot off just two minutes from half-time. Watford were more than equal to the effort though, and City went into the break ahead by two goals.
Spence got his second goal of the game in the 65th minute, as he delivered an excellent strike into the top-right corner, seemingly putting the game out of sight for the hosts.
However, Watford would provide the perfect response just a minute later, as they cut the deficit to two goals through Mchiernan.
Dom Hutchinson contributed to a nervy finish to the game for City, as the forward scored in added time to give the Hornets a glimmer of hope. It wouldn’t be enough however, as the Bluebirds dug in and showed great spirit to claim all three points.
FULL-TIME: WATFORD 2-3 CARDIFF CITY
Cardiff City: Ratcliffe, J.Davies, Margetson, Jones, Bagan, Patten, Parsons, Bowen (C), Griffiths, Spence (Kavanagh 74’), Pinchard (Evans 60’). Subs not used: Duffey, C.Davies, Warnock.
