Cardiff City's U18s started 2026 with a win, after a stoppage time winner saw them defeat Queens Park Rangers 4-3.
MATCH SUMMARY
Having started the brighter of the two sides, it was QPR who took the lead nine minutes before the break. However, on the cusp of half time City equalised; Jack Sykes slamming the ball home into the roof of the net. Just ten minutes into the second 45 and Tom Hutton's side took the lead, with Sykes capitalising on the ball bobbling around in the box.
In the ascendancy, the Bluebirds found a third midway through the second half, with Leeyon Phelan curling a low free kick into the bottom corner. However, QPR scored twice in the 85th and 87th minute to restore parity. Yet, there was one last twist ahead. Riley Hilaire-Clarke's cross was turned home by Leo Papyrnik, as City picked up all three points.
Cardiff City: Jones, Yorke (Evans 90'), Davies, Prickett (C), Conaty, Moreno, Phelan, Hobson, Hilaire-Clarke, Allmark, Sykes (Papyrnik 74'). Subs not used: Donovan, Norris, Anyadike.
POST-MATCH | TOM HUTTON
"We were a young team today, and that might be the case moving forward as players make the move up to the U21s with the players going out on loan. On the one hand, I thought we showed some naivety in the way we managed the game today, particular when they made it 3-3. That being said, there is a lot to be said about our reaction to finding a way back, because we would have been very disappointed if we didn't come away with the win. I thought large parts of the performance was really positive. We lost our way a little bit after the hour mark, but overall, there's a lot to like but also plenty to improve on.
"The U16s are a good group and have got some good players. Part of my role now becomes about knowing when we can challenge them effectively. Paul Moreno in particular today didn't look out of place at this level. It was a confident performance and he did a lot of good things. There are things for him to work on and some things he needs to understand will challenge him more at this level, but we want to capture those things with him now, especially off the back of a 90 minute game with the U18s.
"We hadn't played a competitive game for five weeks, and that isn't ideal preparation for anyone. The way performed across the 90 minutes was largely positive. It's nice to get three points and that will always build confidence, but we will also have some positive aspects of the performance to draw on as well. When you have a gameplan and you try to stick to it in certain moments of the game, it's important to feed that back to them too, because that grows confidence and belief in what we're trying to do."
Pre-Match | Tom Hutton
Ahead of Saturday's fixture against the Hoops, U18 manager Tom Hutton said this: "At the halfway point of the season, I think we can reflect positively on what we've achieved so far and how we're developing as a squad. Obviously it's been frustrating not being able to have played a competitive game for a while, but the break has been really important for the boys. Some of them have joined us from external clubs and it's given them a chance to spend time back at home with their families, but now we're back and we're ready to go.
"As an academy, we always have to be strategic. The loans that we've seen in the past week or two have been great, and it's important for us to make sure that we work closely with other clubs to make sure that the boys go to the right places and get what they need in order to develop. For us, we saw a couple of lads go up and play for the U21s in the week, and I'm sure a couple more will play over the coming weeks. Then it all has a knock-on effect with U17 boys stepping up, the same with some of the lads from the U16 team. It's an exciting time for players who will get their opportunities.
"We know Saturday will be a tough challenge. QPR are familiar opponents for us, and we know they play with a really clear identity, and they will pose us some challenges. For us, we have to concentrate on ourselves and make sure we stick to our gameplan, and that might be a bit more important over the weekend considering that we haven't played a competitive game for a while. However, if we do that, then hopefully the result will come with it."
RECENT RESULTS
The young Bluebirds head into the new year sitting fifth in the PDL South.
Their last result of 2025 saw Tom Hutton’s side defeat Brentford 3-1 at Cardiff International Sports Campus. Riley Hilaire-Clarke broke the deadlock with a beauty into the top corner, and minutes into the second half, Mannie Barton converted from the penalty spot to double the lead.
Brentford pulled one back midway through the second period, but City sealed all three points late on, as Barton scored his second penalty of the game.
Saturday’s opponents, QPR, sit ninth in the league.
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.