U18 Match Report | Nottingham Forest 6-2 Cardiff City
Cardiff City’s U18 side lost to Nottingham Forest U18 in the Professional Development League at Nottingham Forest Football Academy on Saturday.
Caleb Hughes’ converted penalty and Cian Ashford’s late goal proved to be consolations.
Matthew Bloxham made one change from the 4-1 win over Coventry City as Rhys Schwank started.
Finley Back was on form for the hosts and got them off to a fast start, scoring after two minutes. The forward went on to score two more goals in the first-half.
City’s best opportunity in the opening period came through Frazer Thomas on the half hour mark. The midfielder’s low, driven strike from within the area forced Michael Statham to save.
After the interval, six minutes went by before Forest were awarded a penalty. Dale Taylor stepped up and found the net from the spot.
The home side went on to score a fifth, 18 minutes later. Jack Perkins met a cross and tapped in from close range.
James Clarridge added a sixth for his team with 76 minutes played. The defender headed in from a short distance.
The Bluebirds refused to give up though and got a goal back after 79 minutes. Substitute Ashford won a penalty and midfielder Hughes emphatically converted it.
Determined Ashford then netted a goal of his own just five minutes later. Taylor Jones’ cutback from the right found the forward, who fired home.
That proved to be the end of the goals and despite Cardiff City’s battling efforts, Nottingham Forest took three points.
U18 FINAL SCORE: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 6-2 CARDIFF CITY
Nottingham Forest U18: Statham, Bello, McAdam, Fankwe, Clarridge, Donnelly, McDonnell, Back (Perkins 46’), Taylor (Esapa-Osong 60’), Collins, Hammond (Sarantis 68’). Subs not used: Bott, Solomon.
Cardiff City U18: Cogman, Jones, Thomas (Masrani 76’), Davies, Clay, Chiabi, Crole (Ashford 46’), Hughes, Ligendza, Schwank (Mpadi 46’), Mayembe. Subs not used: Stewart, Keeping.
