City’s U21s continued their Professional Development League campaign with a 2-2 draw against fellow high-flyers Coventry City at Cardiff International Sports Campus on Tuesday evening.
MATCH SUMMARY
The young Bluebirds took control of the contest in Leckwith almost immediately, settling into a pattern of possession dominance as the visitors were pinned back. The breakthrough arrived in the 13th minute through Hayden Allmark, following an excellently worked team goal.
As City built through the thirds, debutant Charlie Holt sprayed a crossfield pass out to Jake Davies, the winger then delivered a wicked cross to the back post, with his opposite winger Allmark applying the finish for his second goal in as many games.
Further chances followed for Matthew Bloxham’s side who began to take a real grip on the encounter. Rob Tankiewicz’s header was tipped just past the post following a Noah Williams delivery, while Herbie James was denied by a smart low stop after being excellently played through on goal by Davies.
However, the striker was not to be denied a second time. Under 60 seconds later, City had recycled the ball and found Allmark on the left side, who continued to prove a constant thorn in the visitors’ side.
The winger picked up the ball and played an exquisite, disguised through ball into James’ feet, who turned inside the 18-yard box and finished magnificently, powering the ball past the goalkeeper,
However, City were unable to maintain their two-goal lead heading into half-time as MacKenzie Stretton pounced on a melee inside the 18-yard box on the stroke of half-time to pull one back against the run of play.
Despite conceding that goal, it did not take the wind out of the City’s sails, as the young Bluebirds came out with renewed intent, looking to score a third goal rather than settle for the lead they already had.
That third goal very nearly came in the 51st minute. Following a loose clearance from the Sky Blues after a City corner, Allmark picked up the ball from 30 yards out and his thunderous effort cannoned off the crossbar, denying him a spectacular second of the evening.
From there, James thought he may have had his second when he pounced on the rebound, only to see his close- range effort incredibly denied by Coventry’s No.1 Eliot Meredith.
Despite City doing the majority of the pushing, once again they were stung by a resilient Coventry side, who equalised in the 68th minute through George Shepherd.
A floated ball into the area ricocheted between several bodies from both sides, before Shepherd got a slight touch to send it beyond Ewan Griffiths.
From there, both sides introduced multiple substitutions and looked to grab the winner in the final stages of a gripping contest but ultimately neither could find a way through.
Overall, a high-quality four goal encounter between two sides placed in the upper echelons of the Professional Developmental League with the spoils shared in Leckwith.
That takes the young Bluebirds to seven games unbeaten in league action, stretching back to late August, and they now face a trip to A.F.C Bournemouth in the Premier League Cup on Monday, November 2nd, with kick-off at 7pm.
PRE-MATCH | HERBIE JAMES
“We showed real character to take the game to Charlton Athletic (on Friday). We knew we had to bring an intensity off the ball, and that’s exactly what we did. I felt we executed the game plan perfectly.
“There were a few details in the goals we conceded which could have been better, but overall, we knew that if we worked hard off the ball, we could do our bit and have fun with the ball.
“There’s no limit to what we can achieve this season. We’re building some good momentum, and after the Premier League Cup defeat to Leicester City, we discussed as a team not taking our foot off the gas coming up to a busy and important Christmas period.
“There’s strong competition all over the pitch, which creates a healthy, competitive environment and pushes everyone to give their best.
“Against Coventry City, we are expecting a very intense game as they are a strong, physical side, but we know what we’re capable of. If we give our best, we can beat absolutely anyone.”
LAST TIME OUT
The young Bluebirds continued their excellent form on Friday afternoon, extending their unbeaten league run to six games after defeating Charlton Athletic 4-3, at Sparrows Lane in difficult conditions.
Despite falling behind in the 12th minute after a Michael Mylona strike, City responded excellently before half-time.
Hayden Allmark netted his second of the season with a superb left-footed strike into the roof of the net for the equaliser, before Gabriel Keita’s towering header ensured City took the lead into the interval.
The young Addicks came flying out of the blocks in the second period, levelling the game through Ellis McMillan. The midfielder’s strike took an unfortunate deflection which took it beyond Jake Dennis to make it 2-2 in the 49th minute.
As the rain and wind continued to beat down in south-east London, the game was up for grabs for either side, and Matthew Bloxham’s men took the initiative.
Winger Jake Davies continued his stunning form this season, pouncing on a mistake at the back from Charlton before slotting past Tiernan Brooks to restore City’s lead.
In the 86th minute, Davies found a second, finishing neatly past Brooks once again to register his seventh goal in his last eight games in all competitions and stretch City’s lead to 4-2.
Just as the game looked wrapped up, Chris Lock’s side instantly hit back. Less than 60 seconds after play had restarted following City’s’ fourth goal, midfielder Kai Kobashi Enslin broke through and finished a fine solo effort with just a few minutes left to play.
To their credit, the young Bluebirds showed excellent game management across the final five minutes and stuck to their defensive duties to ensure they left with a crucial three points in a seven-goal thriller.
OPPOSITION FOCUS
The Sky Blues enter Tuesday’s fixture in similarly outstanding form, unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, winning five of those.
Across those six games, they have scored 17 goals and conceded just seven, with victories over Barnsley, Colchester United, QPR, Bromley, as well as a draw with Wigan Athletic.
Last time out, they defeated Swansea City 2-0 on Tuesday, October 20th, at the Alan Higgs Centre with goals from Elliot Betjemann and Josh Stidder.
Under head coach Liam Kelly, a former Coventry City captain, the West Midlands-based side sit 3rd in the Professional Development League after seven matches.
Across those seven matches, they have amassed 13 points, with four wins, one draw, and two losses, sitting one point above City, who are in 5th place.
TICKET INFORMATION
All supporters can attend the match free of charge at Cardiff International Sports Campus, entering via the main entrance.
REACHING THE GROUND
Supporters planning on attending the fixture should use the following address:
Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith Rd, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ.
The ground is approximately an 11-minute walk away from Ninian Park Train Station and a 32-minute walk from Cardiff Central Train Station.