U23 Match Report | Barnsley 1-1 Cardiff City

Cardiff City's U23 side took a well-earned point on the road from Barnsley on Monday afternoon, following a competitive 90 minutes at Oakwell.

Chanka Zimba's second half equaliser ensured that the hosts did not come away the victors, after the Tykes had gone ahead in the first half through Will Lancaster.

The Bluebirds went behind at the half-hour mark due to Lancaster's strike from the edge of the area, which the City 'keeper could do nothing about as the ball flew in at the top right corner.

The hosts managed to get some of the better early chances, which demanded crucial interventions from the centre-back pairing of Jack Bodenham and Tavio D'Almeida, who did well to manage the threats despite going behind.

On the other end, Isaak Davies posed a threat to Barnsley throughout, with a particular early chance demanding a sliding block from the hosts' Rudi Pache, whose effort kept Davies from getting his name on the scoreboard.

With the second half opening with City behind by a single goal, the Bluebirds' intentions were clear as they drove forward in numbers, committed to finding an equaliser.

Under the blanket of rainfall that afternoon in South Yorkshire, it was Zimba who finally managed to bring the scores level, who struck home clinically following some fine buildup play.

Now with a firm foothold on proceedings, City kept up their pressing to try to find a winner. Though ultimately unable to do so, they held fast in defence as well despite increased late pressure, earning a point whilst spoiling the result for the hosts.

U23 FINAL SCORE: BARNSLEY 1-1 CARDIFF CITY

Barnsley: Addai, Pache, Omar, Kitching (Hodgson), Helliwell, Lancaster, Oduor, Trialist, Marsh (Trialist), Miller (Chapman), Thompson. Subs: Binns, Simpson.

Cardiff City: Trialist, Jones, Martin, King (Trialist 60'), D'Almeida, Bodenham (Ashford 87'), Davies, Bowen, Zimba, Kavanagh (Denham 87'), Evans. Subs: Ratcliffe.