FA Youth Cup R4 Report: West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Cardiff City
Cardiff City’s U18 side faced a narrow defeat to West Bromwich Albion U18 in the FA Youth Cup Fourth Round at The Hawthorns.
Tom Davies’ goal and continuous waves of attack were not enough for the away side.
Matthew Bloxham made four changes from last time out, as Jaimie Cogman, Davies, Owen Pritchard and Ryan Kavanagh started.
The hosts got off to a quick start and opened the scoring after seven minutes. Tim Iroegbunam curled the ball into the top corner from just outside the box and there wasn’t much goalkeeper Cogman could do about it.
Two minutes later, it was two for the Baggies. Mo Faal managed to find the net from close range, despite pressure from onrushing Cogman.
City then came into the game and nearly got one back with 17 minutes played. Forward Kavanagh’s ambitious free-kick from distance was just about kept out by Maksymilian Boruc.
Kavanagh caused problems for the West Brom defence again during the following six minutes. His dangerous corner was spilt by stopper Boruc, who regathered, before Siyabonga Ligendza could get a boot on it.
After the interval, the Bluebirds came out in attacking fashion and came close after 63 minutes, as James Crole’s attempt from an acute angle hit the side netting.
Cardiff City got a goal back just one minute later. Left-back Davies drove the ball low and into the net from the left of the area.
Determined to find an equaliser, the visitors continued to trouble the home defence. Striker Ligendza had his strike saved with 73 minutes gone, before having a shot in added time kept out.
Despite their efforts, the young Bluebirds exited the FA Youth Cup, following a spirited attacking performance at The Hawthorns.
U18 FINAL SCORE: WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2-1 CARDIFF CITY
West Bromwich Albion: Boruc, Ingram, Taylor, Grant, Ashworth, Fellows, Iroegbunam, Teixeira (Richards 77’), Da Cruz Sousa, Malcolm, Faal (Andrews 90’). Subs not used: Hollingshead, Hall, Shaw, Cleary, Okoka.
Cardiff City: Cogman, MacNamara, Davies, Pritchard, Jones, Clay, Thomas, King (Rippon 90’), Crole, Kavanagh, Ligendza. Subs not used: Lewis, Dennis, Schwank, Keeping, Kenniford.
