U21 | Aberystwyth Town (p) 1-1 Cardiff City

City's U21s bowed out of the Nathaniel MG Cup with a narrow defeat on penalties to Aberystwyth Town.

The young Bluebirds showed great character to level late-on, with the campaign providing a huge learning experience for the squad.

MATCH SUMMARY

City settled well at Park Avenue and forced early chances in the first half. Winger Isaac Jefferies’ dangerous delivery just evaded striker Tanatswa Nyakuhwa in the box. In another positive attack, Dakarai Mafico was the source, as he drove forward and found Nyakuhwa, who played in Ronan Kpakio on the right. He fired just wide of the post from inside the area. 

At the other end, Seasiders playmaker Niall Flint found space to fire at goal, only for centre-back Dylan Lawlor to produce a brilliant block. Just before the break, the hosts took the lead through Flint’s penalty, following a handball in the area. 

The young Bluebirds looked for a leveller in the second half, as Kpakio went close with a header, before a well-worked move led to Jefferies having an effort saved by goalkeeper Dave Jones. 

With 89 minutes on the clock, substitutes Will Spiers and Troy Perrett combined well in the box, with the latter finding the bottom corner to send the contest to a penalty shootout. 

The Seasiders won the shootout 4-1, as Devon Torry netting the winning spot-kick.

FINAL SCORE: ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 1-1 CARDIFF CITY

Aberystwyth Town: Jones, Walsh, R Davies, Bradford ©, Ealing (Hartley 68’), Thorn, Evans, B Davies, Patterson, Darlington (Arnison 53’), Flint (Torry 85’). Subs not used: Osment, Hartley, Mason, Huxley.

Cardiff City: Dennis, Giles, T Davies, Cook © (Perrett 76’), Lawlor (Spiers 88’), Kpakio, Mafico, Twose, George, Jefferies (Barton 76’), Nyakuhwa. Subs not used: Joe Thomas, Spiers, Gbadehan, Johnson.

PRE-MATCH | MATTHEW BLOXHAM

Ahead of the fixture, Matthew Bloxham said: “It’s a really good opportunity for us to play in a competitive fixture with the opportunity to progress to a final, which these boys may not have experienced before. We know it will be a tough, physical game, but it’s important for the boys to recognise these opportunities to showcase what they can do if they want to progress into the senior environment.

“All we’re doing is focusing on Saturday and putting one foot in front of the other. If we do everything that is within our control, we’ll put ourselves in a really good position to get to the final, but the most important thing is not looking past Saturday. 

“Every time we play in one of these games, it’s an opportunity to show how far we’ve come and how much we’ve learned since the last game. We’re looking to increase performance levels and the things we can take forward from the Cardiff Met game, we’ll be expecting progress from that on Saturday.”

PRE-MATCH | ISAAC JEFFERIES

Winger Isaac Jefferies, who has had a stellar campaign so far this season, said: “We’ve dealt with the different experiences really well. Playing men’s football compared to U21s is very different and a lot more physical, but I think the boys have rose to the challenge. We make the most of what we can do and try to play to our strengths as much as we can. We’ve shown a lot of character all season, not just in the cup, which has given us a lot of confidence, because even when we fall behind, we know we can pull it back. Our results in the league have helped us to take our performances into the cup competitions.

“We’re all really excited for the Semi-Final. Everything is on that one game and it’s a good pressure to have because that’s what makes players perform. We want to go as far as we can in this competition, but it’s really important to just focus on Aberystwyth and focus on the Semi-Final. They’ve made it to this stage and are in the same position as we are, so they’ll be a challenge for us, which we’re looking forward to.”

ROUTE TO THE SEMIS

It has been a positive start to the campaign for City’s U21s, who have made progress in the Professional Development League, Premier League Cup and the Nathaniel MG Cup. In the league, the side are flying high with the likes of Bournemouth and Charlton Athletic and have amassed impressive results. 

While the side also have a chance of progressing into the next round of the Premier League Cup with two groups games to go, attention this weekend turns to the Nathaniel MG Cup.

In the Bluebirds’ second campaign featuring in the competition as a wildcard, City’s aim in entering the Nathaniel MG Cup is to gain experience of facing men’s sides and developing the skills needed for the physical demands of the game. 

The campaign began with a trip to Afan Lido, where a Trey George strike, along with a fine brace from midfielder Cody Twose, who has operated in a consistent two with Dakarai Mafico this season, secured a place in the next round with a 3-1 victory. 

A theme of the Bluebirds’ performances in the competition to date has been impressive showings from striker Michael Reindorf, who struck a hat-trick in the following round against Cymru South opposition in Pontypridd United. The attacker again impressed at the last 16 stage, when City welcomed Merthyr Town to Cardiff International Sports Campus; his two goals were enough to book a place in the quarter-finals.

Facing Cymru Premier side Cardiff Met in the last eight, the Bluebirds had to come from behind on two occasions, but close-range strikes from George and Reindorf saw the game head into the final proceedings level at 2-2, before a fine strike from Reindorf proved the difference to set up this weekend’s semi-final against the Seasiders.

REACHING THE GROUND

Supporters planning on attending on Saturday should use the following address:

ATFC Ltd, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, SY23 1PG.

The ground is located a seven-minute walk away from Aberystwyth Train Station.