City’s U18’s played out a 1-1 draw against PDL leaders Charlton Athletic in Leckwith on Saturday afternoon.
City keeper Sam Jones was called into early action inside the opening 10 minutes, making a sharp stop at the near post and tipping the ball behind for a corner.
The young Bluebirds recorded their first chance of the half after 20 minutes following a well worked move around the box, the ball fell to Harry Watts who had his effort blocked by the feet of the Charlton keeper from close range.
The hosts continued to look for an opener during the first half, with Paul Moreno’s header going narrowly over and Axel Donczew having his shot blocked inside the area but were unable to find the net.
The visitors took the lead however after the break, as the ball was played over the top of the defence, the Addicks striker Raynon Richman shifted past the keeper to put his side ahead.
City struck back just after the hour mark with a brilliantly struck left-footed free-kick from Moreno which flew into the net and level the scores.
Both sides had chances to lead late on, with Watt’s effort going closest as he was found in space from Tiger Tobin, the skipper cut inside on his right foot and looked for a far corner, but the keeper was equal to the effort.
City had to settle for a point on the day, and next up is a trip to face Peterborough United on Saturday 21st March, with a kick off of 11am.
REACTION | TOM HUTTON
“I thought it was a really good game of football.” Tom began. “It was a top of the table clash and both teams came to be competitive and try and win the game, and I think that was certainly represented in our performance. There were lots of positives in the first half, I saw a real intent from the boys to try what we asked of them.
“We changed a couple of things at half time, and they carried that through into the second half, but the message was always about wanting to be a bit better. Had we been a bit more clinical in the final third and been able to find that last pass with a bit more quality, we might have become becoming away with three points.
“I thought the work ethic, the desire, the competitiveness, and the togetherness of the group, was really evident today. They now have to hold on to that and make sure that they carry on that in every single performance, because that can take you far, as individuals, and as a team. Whilst the game was a bit scrappy in the second half, that was probably the thing that got us a point which I felt we deserved.
“They are a together group, and even when things aren't going our way, we always speak about being together and reacting positively. That's something that we talk about a lot in training and in games, and I thought they did that. They didn't get too flustered by the early setback after the break and that shows a belief in what we're trying to do, a belief in the people around them, that they can actually turn the game around. There's loads of positives to take from this performance, but the biggest thing I'm proud of is probably the behaviours of the boys show today.”
PRE-MATCH CONTENT
RECENT RESULT
The young Bluebirds made it back-to-back away wins with victory over Watford in a ten-goal thriller, emerging as 6-4 winners.
Jack Sykes and Axel Donczew both got on the scoresheet, while there were braces for midfielders Paul Moreno and Harry Watts.
The victory closed the gap to this weekend’s opponents and league leaders Charlton Athletic to just four points.
TICKET INFORMATION
Entry for the match at Cardiff International Sports Campus will be free for all supporters.
REACHING THE GROUND
Supporters planning on attending should use the following address:
Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith Rd, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ.
The ground is located an 11-minute walk away from Ninian Park Station and a 32-minute walk from Cardiff Central Station.