City’s U18’s were back in Professional Development League action as the young Bluebirds drew 2-2 against Millwall at Cardiff International Sports Campus.
REACTION | TAONA NYAKUHWA
"It was a tough game, but we knew that coming into it. We were aware of their strengths, that they're a physical side and I think we produced enough chances to claim three points but ultimately, we will take the point and move onto the QPR fixture.
"It's important to overcome an early setback as we did today. One thing we take pride in as a group is how when things go wrong, we've built a mentality that we stick together, and we have developed a real sense of unity and togetherness and that shone through today. From 1-0 down to 2-1 up, we were just disappointed that we couldn’t hang on.
"For me, it's important to always be ready to serve the team. It's down to me to come on and try and impact the game as much as possible which I tried to do today. But ultimately, my goal is to always help the team."
MATCH SUMMARY
Only four minutes into the game, Millwall’s number 11 broke away ahead of City’s defence to slot home an early opener.
However, this seemed to act as the wake-up call that City needed, as the young Bluebirds began to take a grip over the game with early chances going the way of Leo Papirnyk and Tiger Tobin.
Despite this, with buckets of rain lashing down on the pristine Cardiff International Sports Campus pitch, City would have to wait until the second half for an equaliser.
The downpour showed no inclination of relenting as the two sides marched out for the second half and so, City came up against the same challenge once again.
An early back-post Keano Conaty header acted as the first chance of the half before a Gruff Evans chip from distance proved to be City’s hard-fought equaliser.
The side showed no signs of stopping there, as a City delivery was parried by a Millwall defender into his own net, to put the young Bluebirds ahead.
However, the story wasn’t finished quite yet as Millwall fought back with a late equaliser and the points were shared.
PRE-MATCH | ELLIS YORKE
“Going into the Millwall game, it’s important that we approach the game in the same way that we did against Bristol City. We know it’s going to be a tough battle, but we just need to play our style of football, that I know we are capable of, to break them down and ultimately punish them.
“The mood and energy within the changing room at the minute is great. We’re all really positive and are constantly gelling as a team and are continuing to improve with every week.
“After that win over Bristol, our confidence will undoubtedly continue to grow, and our energy will be bouncing, so I think an important win over Millwall would put us in a really good place.”
RECENT RESULTS
Last time out, City U18s dismantled a strong Bristol City side 3-0 at home to move up the PDL table.
A second half opener from Jacob Norris marked the start of a City rampage as Leo Papirnyk netted two marvellous goals in quick succession to make it three to the young Bluebirds in the blink of an eye.
Prior to this positive result, City suffered a tough 5-1 defeat to a strong Charlton side away at the Sparrows Lane Training Ground in only a third defeat of the campaign to date.
TICKET INFORMATION
Entry for the encounter at Cardiff International Sports Campus will be free for all supporters.
REACHING THE GROUND
Supporters planning on attending the game should use the following address:
Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith Rd, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ.
The ground is located an 11-minute walk from Ninian Park Station and a 32-minute walk away from Cardiff Central Station.