City's U17s recorded a 0-0 draw against Walsall in their second group match in the PDL Cup.
RECENT RESULTS
The young Bluebirds head into the contest after an emphatic 6-0 win over Port Vale in their opening game in the competition.
In that contest, City broke the deadlock after just 10 minutes. Tiger Tobin’s pinpoint corner was met by Jack Sykes, who headed home from close-range. Tom Hutton's side then doubled their lead midway through the opening period, when a well-worked move was slammed home by Keano Conaty.
City dominated the start of the second half and deservedly found their third goal. Sykes drove into the box and made no mistake, firing the ball into the roof of the net. Only minutes later, Sykes completed his hat-trick, this time curling home from inside the box.
The young Bluebirds then made it five when Oliver Walsh rounded the Port Vale 'keeper and found Ellis Yorke, whose first-time finish nestled into the bottom corner. City then wrapped up their convincing display with a sixth, as T-Jay Parfitt rose highest at the back post to head home Tobin’s corner. The victory put City in a strong position ahead of Wednesday's clash.
PRE-MATCH | TOM HUTTON
Ahead of the fixture, head coach Tom Hutton said: "We had a positive start in the first game against Port Vale - it was a good result and I thought the performance was excellent. We knew they would provide a threat, but there was a real focus on how we wanted to play in our preparation and I think it was a really complete performance.
"I’m looking forward to playing in the cup again. We’ve never played Walsall, so that will be an experience and a new challenge in itself and it's a massive opportunity to build on the performance in the previous round.
"The games programme is a massive tool for us as we’re able to challenge the boys in different league competitions, cup competitions and against various different teams. We’ve had a fantastic variety of opposition already this season.
"We’re trying to expose the players to the highest level possible, and we’ve done that quite well and consistently. I think we’re seeing the fruits of our labour with the amount of Academy graduates in the First Team.
"We want to try and win every game, but we’ve got to play in a way that aligns with the identity of the Club. In this competition, there is more of a consequence to winning, drawing, or losing because it affects our likelihood of making it out of the group.
"We want to stay in these competitions for as long as possible because it multiplies the experience that the players get, which will help them progress to the First Team."