Cardiff City's U21s kicked off their PDL campaign with a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United.
MATCH SUMMARY
After Dan Higgs made a string of saves to keep the scores level in the first half, it was the Bluebirds who took the lead. Intense pressing at the top end of the pitch allowed Troy Perrett to win the ball before finding the top corner with a fine finish. Perrett could have had a second in the first period too, but the assistant's offside flag ruled it out. Jac Thomas almost made it two on the stroke of half time, but the ball whistled past the post.
The Blades started the second half well and midway through the second 45 they found their equaliser. A long ball over the top of the City defence found Jevan Beattie, who steered the ball into the far corner. U21 debutant Robert Tankiewicz almost scored two towards the end that almost won City the game, but his free-kick from 30-yards went narrowly wide, while his chip from distance dipped over the crossbar, as both sides were forced to settle for a draw.
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POST-MATCH | DARREN PURSE
After full-time, Darren Purse said: "It was tough conditions in the heat. I thought the boys out of possession worked their socks off for the badge. They really had to put a shift in. It was a great run out for the boys and a good point to start the season for us."
Pursey continued by recognising the performance of Robert Tankiewicz: "He has earned the right to be up with us. He came in during his first year as a scholar and we really liked him when we saw him training when the U21s and U18s trained together, and he's earned the right to have the shirt in this opening game.
"If he carries on putting performances in like that then he'll keep the shirt. If you look at the U21s as a whole and the players we have up in the first team at the minute, this might be the next evolution of players coming through.
"You look at Rob compared to where Dak was two years ago. Dak Mafico was a first year scholar two years ago and is now in and around the First Team. Can we do the same with Rob? We will see, but that's the way we want to try and do things here. We want to bring the youngsters through and give them as many U21 minutes as possible."
PRE-MATCH | GABRIEL KEITA
Defender Gabriel Keita, who joined the Club in the summer, said: "Pre-season has been positive for us. The time that we've had together as a squad and the games that we've had, we've done very well to gel as a team. Our last game against Wolves was a prime example of what we've been working on. We're in a very good place and I'm looking forward for the season to start.
"I've settled in well and I'm happy here. I've trained well and have applied myself, so it's been a positive few months for me personally. Playing against men's teams in pre-season has been very valuable. It's helped us to understand all aspects of football and it has allowed us to have a feel of the different types of games and opposition.
"This U21 group, there's a great spark in the team and we can see development in every training session. It's been good to see that everyone is pushing themselves in training and in games, with the ultimate goal of getting into the First Team."
RECENT RESULTS
Our U21 side completed their pre-season campaign with a resounding 5-0 victory at home.
Will Spiers bagged a brace to open up the scoring against Wolves, with Luke Pearce also on the scoresheet before half-time.
Following the interval, Jake Davies added the young Bluebirds' fourth, with Troy Perrett on hand to net a fifth unanswered goal.
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.