A valiant young Cardiff City side booked their spot in the next round of the Vertu Trophy with a fine 3-1 victory over Arsenal U21s.
Despite going behind to a Marcell Washington strike, City dominated the game, and thanks to goals from Troy Perrett, Will Spiers, and Trey George, they topped the group on goal difference.
Brian Barry-Murphy named a youthful team for this Vertu Trophy clash, as he handed out five senior debuts. Trey George, Gabriel Keita, Alyas Debono, Matty Apter, and Dan Ola were all given their first starts, while Jack Kingdon captained the side.
Having settled into the game well, it was the young Bluebirds who fashioned out the first chance of the match. Cody Twose’s cross into the area found the head of Keita, but he nodded just over the top of the crossbar. Minutes later it was the Gunners who took the lead after Washington drove the ball into the bottom corner.
Yet, that Arsenal lead would only last a matter of seconds as City equalised straight after the restart. Ola’s ball through found the run of Perrett, who danced into the box before slotting the ball home.
Clearly buoyed by his first senior goal, Perrett almost put the Bluebirds in front after Spiers laid the ball off to him outside the box, but his curling effort just missed the target. At the other end, Matt Turner had to make a smart save to keep out Charles Sagoe Jr. while Osman Kamara headed over from close range, as the first half ended all-square.
It was almost a dream start to the second half for City. A short corner routine opened up some space on the edge of the box for Spiers, but his rasping effort crashed against the crossbar. On the hour mark the Bluebirds’ task was made easier as Arsenal keeper Alexei Rojas was shown a straight red card for a cynical challenge on Luke Pearce.
With a man advantage, Barry-Murphy’s boys set out to try and take the lead. Another corner routine almost led to it, but somehow, Arsenal cleared off the line. But minutes later, City’s second goal came, as Spiers’ cross evaded everyone in the box before nestling into the far corner.
Pearce thought he had added a third for his side moments after Spiers’ strike, but the official’s offside flag denied him. Then it was Kingdon’s turn to go close, but his strike from range was tipped over the bar by Arsenal substitute keeper Remy Mitchell.
Arsenal struggled to break down a resolute City defence, and the Bluebirds were rewarded for their resilience with a third goal in stoppage time. The ball broke to George in the area, and he swept the ball past Mitchell to ensure their spot in the next round of the competition.
The Bluebirds’ next game will be after the international break when they take on Northampton Town away from home on Saturdaym November 22nd. Kick-off at 3pm.
FULL TIME: CARDIFF CITY 3-1 ARSENAL U21
Cardiff City: Turner, Kingdon, Keita, Debono, Parfitt (J. Davies 55’), Apter, Twose, Perrett (Watts 87’), Spiers, George, Ola (Pearce 46’, Sykes 79’). Subs: Dennis, Hobson, Hilaire-Clarke.
Arsenal U21: Rojas, King, Onyekachukwu (Stevens 86’), Sweet, Washington (Ogunnaike 72’), Ibrahim (Julienne 72’), Dudziak (Mitchell 61’), Copley, Kamara (Bailey-Joseph 61’), Harriman-Annous, Sagoe Jr. Subs: Nichols, Owusu-Gyasi.