U18 Match Report: Cardiff City 4-1 Bristol City
Cardiff City's U18 side defeated Bristol City 4-1 in the Professional Development League opener at USW Sport Park on Saturday, September 12th.
HIGHLIGHTS: CARDIFF CITY U18 4-1 BRISTOL CITY U18
Cian Ashford’s double, with goals from Siyabonga Ligendza and Owen Pritchard sealed three points for the hosts.
Matthew Bloxham named U16 player Ashford in a starting line-up captained by Ntazana Mayembe.
The Bluebirds’ opening opportunity came after six minutes. Winger Mayembe struck low from close range and James Walker did well to save.
Taylor Jones next neared an opener for the determined hosts, eight minutes later. The right-back rattled the ball off the crossbar with a first-time effort from a corner.
It was forward Ashford who went on to open the scoring for Cardiff City on the half hour mark. Intelligent Hughes’ threaded through-ball found the No.10 and he hammered home.
After the interval, play tightened as both sides hunted for the next goal, but the game opened up inside the final 15 minutes of the 90.
Substitute Ligendza came on to make an impact, going close after 76 minutes. The striker charged through on goal, before striking the ball into the side netting under pressure, adding the Bluebirds’ second goal just three minutes later.
Finding himself in a similar position inside the area, the forward struck low and straight past goalkeeper Walker.
Midfielder Pritchard scored his side’s third goal of the afternoon with 81 minutes played. The resolute Hughes’ powerful attempt was parried into the path of City’s No.8 who tapped in.
15-year-old Ashford looked to impress further and was successful by striking his second goal of the game, five minutes later. The striker impressively attacked from inside his own half, before finishing.
The Robins did secure a consolation goal in the closing stages through Thierry Swaby and the Bluebirds responded by looking for a fifth.
Neither team could find another goal and Cardiff City took a comfortable victory with three points from the 2020/21 season opener.
U18 FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 4-1 BRISTOL CITY
Cardiff City U18: Yanko, Jones, Davies, Clay, Macnamara, Chiabi, Hughes (Schwank 88’), Pritchard, Crole (Ligendza 64’), Ashford, Mayembe. Subs not used: Stewart, Ware.
Bristol City U18: Walker, Thuo, Allen (Bell 64’), Taylor-Clarke, Wood, Williams (Henry 75’), Leeson, Kadji, Backwell (Swaby 62’), Scott, Francois. Subs not used: Smith, Salmon.
Match Report: Richard Early
