MATCH CENTRE
Cardiff City's U21s picked up a comfortable 7-2 victory over Stockport County in the PDL Cup.
Despite a bright start, it was the Hatters who took the lead as Joe Astles found the top corner from outside the box. Ten minutes later City equalised as Cody Twose drove the ball into the bottom corner. Parity only lasted two minutes, as Jack Kingdon put the ball into his own net. From that point on, City fought back into the game. Troy Perrett dispatched one from the penalty spot, before Twose bagged his second from outside the box to ensure Darren Purse's side went in ahead at the break.
In the second half, the Bluebirds found another gear to take the game away from County. Matty Apter extended the lead by powering home from a Luke Pearce cross, before Perrett added a fifth with a composed finish. Trey George got himself on the scoresheet by finishing off from Perrett's cut back, before Mannie Barton rounded out the victory with a fine finish into the far corner.
POST-MATCH | DARREN PURSE
"It was a good win. I thought we were terrible in the first half. Our intensity levels were nowhere near what we needed them to be, we were lucky to go into half time 3-2 up, and they scored a couple of good goals to be fair to them. There were a few words said at the break, and they came out and had the right reaction in the second half. They really stepped onto them and that was epitomised by the first couple of seconds when Luke Pearce went and charged down the goalkeeper. The boys have to realise they have to play like that from the first whistle and not for just 45 minutes.
"A few players had good games. Troy Perrett was good, Mannie Barton came on and had an impact. We had a look after the Burnley game at the goals we conceded, and they really struck through the ball when they scored. Today we showed that we've learned from what we've worked on over the last ten days or so with striking cleanly through the ball. It worked for Cody Twose tonight, who scored with both his left and right foot, and it was pleasing to see them take on the work we're doing on a daily basis.
"The boys have come through a really hectic schedule. It's not easy playing games Tuesday and then Friday, but it's all about resting and recovering properly and going again next Friday night."
PRE MATCH | CODY TWOSE
Ahead of the contest, midfielder Cody Twose said: “Friday is an important game for us. We want to bounce back from our loss against Burnley, and we all know the job we need to do.
"We need to win our next three group games to give ourselves the best chance to get through.
“It will be a tough game as always, they are trying to achieve the same thing as us. We all back ourselves in every game we go into, and hopefully, we can go out there and get the three points that we need.”
LAST TIME OUT
City will be hoping to pick up their first win in the Premier League Cup after losing 3-1 last time out against Burnley.
In the PDL, the young Bluebirds picked up a hard-fought point on Tuesday away from home against Barnsley, with Dan Ola netting for City.
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.