U18 Preview: Ipswich Town vs. Cardiff City
Cardiff City’s U18 side travel to face Ipswich Town on Saturday morning as the continue their 2019/20 league campaign - 11am kick-off.
Know Your Opponent
The hosts are currently sat in fifth place, having won three of their opening six league matches, accumulating eleven points, losing on just one occasion this season.
Adam Atey’s side progressed to the fifth-round of the FA Youth Cup earlier this year, beating non-league side Andover Town 4-0 and Gillingham 2-1 in the third and fourth rounds, respectively, to set up a tie with Watford. It would be the Hornets who knocked them out of the competition, following a 4-1 victory in February.
Ipswich Town finished second in the U18 PDL South last season, finishing behind the Bluebirds, meaning that Town would face Sheffield Wednesday in the U18 PDL Play-offs. They were defeated by Wednesday, who would go on to be eventual winners of the competition.
Backroom Staff
Saturday’s opponents are currently managed by U18 Head Coach Adam Atey, who replaced former U18 Head Coach and former Cardiff City forward Alan Lee in August 2018.
Kieron Dyer used to be U18 Coach for the Tractor Boys, but the ex-England international departed in August 2019 to pursue first-team coaching opportunities.
Previous Meetings
The Bluebirds had a disappointing record against Saturday’s hosts last season, despite finishing above the Tractor Boys on the U18 PDL South league table. The most recent meeting between the two sides came in March, as Matthew Bloxham's side was defeated 2-1.
City started strongly and found themselves ahead due to Sam Bowen’s 34th minute strike, however, the young Bluebirds would succumb to second-half goals from Ipswich Town’s Lounes Foudil and Zak Brown – as they travelled back to South Wales with nothing to show for their considerable efforts.
Cardiff City’s last home meeting with Adam Atey’s side came in December, when City again fell to a 2-1 defeat at Cardiff International Sports Campus. Dan Griffiths scored for the Bluebirds, but Foudil and Healey would score for the visitors in the 25th and 44th minute respectively.
Follow Saturday's match through Cardiff City FC Academy's official Twitter Account, @CF11Academy!
