U23 Report: Cardiff City 1-3 Sheffield United

Cardiff City’s U23 side began their 2019/20 Professional Development League Two campaign with a 3-1 loss against Sheffield United U23 at Cardiff International Sports Stadium.

Following a goalless opening period, Jake Young sent the visitors ahead, before Laurence Wootton equalised. Reece York later regained the Blades’ advantage before Young secured his brace.

Andy Legg named three of the four U23 players that toured North America with the First Team in the starting line-up: Cameron Coxe, Ciaron Brown and James Waite.

The Bluebirds started the better side and their opening opportunity came after 13 minutes. Waite’s corner found the feet of Jake Evans and the midfielder’s powerful effort was deflected over. From the resulting corner, Jack Bodenham headed over the bar.

Two minutes later, another chance arose for the hosts as Sion Spence found himself through on goal. Shamar Moore’s terrific through-ball from central midfield sent the forward one-on-one with Marcus Dewhurst, who saved.

With 18 minutes played, City threatened the opposition defence again from a corner. Waite’s delivery found the head of Coxe, but his header sailed over.

The Blades’ Sam Ompreon had two opportunities in the space of five minutes. After 21 minutes, the forward shot wide of Warren Burwood’s goal from close range and five minutes later, Ompreon was denied by a superb save from the goalkeeper.

Cardiff City crafted another chance and were unlucky with ten minutes of the opening 45 remaining. Brown’s low cross from the left flank travelled into the path of Moore, but the striker couldn’t control the ball following pressure from Jean Belehouan.

Four minutes later, Bodenham headed on target from Waite’s corner, but goalkeeper Dewhurst pulled off a strong stop to keep the centre-back out. Shortly after, George Broadbent struck the crossbar from a free-kick for the visitors.

After the interval, the Bluebirds immediately had a chance to score as Spence found possession inside the area, before shooting over. From the following stage of play, Sheffield United broke the deadlock as Young finished from close range.

City responded strongly and equalised three minutes later through Wootton. Waite’s corner eventually found the midfielder, who fired home from just outside the six-yard box. Not long after, the Blades were ahead again as York chipped Burwood to find the bottom right corner.

With 67 minutes played, the hosts had a chance to equalise. Moore shot across goal and Wootton slid in, but couldn’t connect with the ball. 14 minutes later, the Blades added a third as Young secured a brace by hammering into the top left corner from just inside the box.

Despite City hunting for a way back into the game, no further clear chances presented themselves and the visitors took three points from the PDL2 opener.

U23 FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 1-3 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Cardiff City U23: Burwood, Coxe, Brown, Patten, Margetson (Reynolds 61’), Bodenham, Spence (Williams 61’), Evans (Bowen 64’), Moore, Waite, Wootton. Subs not used: Cogman, Bowen, Pryce.

Sheffield United U23: Dewhurst, Ferguson, Belehouan, York, Gordon, Broadbent, Sheppard (Mallon 53’), Brunt, Ompreon, Young, Boyes. Subs not used: Neal, Amissah, Ndiaye, Hall.