U18 | CARDIFF CITY 3-0 WATFORD

The young Bluebirds continued their fine start to the season with an impressive 3-0 win over Watford at USW Sports Park on Saturday, 5th November 2016.

The first half was a tight affair with few chances but the momentum started swinging Cardiff’s way as Lewis Baldwin’s header narrowly missed the target from a corner.

After that first glimpse at goal the tide began to turn as Sion Spence had two threatening efforts bravely blocked by onrushing Watford defenders.

Minutes later, Baldwin rose well to win another header from an attacking corner but again his effort was just wide of the mark.

Cardiff kept pressing for that go-ahead goal and after some great work down the right hand side, Jarrad Welch was able to cross for Ibraim So Sani, who headed over under pressure.

Mark Harris started brightly in the first half and he almost provided an assist for James Waite after beating the opposition right back and firing a ball across the six-yard box, but it was just ahead of the attacker and so the teams were tied at the break after a goalless first half.

That all changed just after the restart as the ball was played into Welsh international Harris’ feet, and the striker turned and curled the ball superbly past the Watford goalkeeper to break the deadlock.

Ten minutes later, Cardiff counter-attacked as Spence played a delicate ball over the top to put Harris clean through on goal and the striker coolly dispatched his second goal of the game.

Watford were a danger from set pieces and Yazid Raikay almost headed a goal back for the visitors from a corner but Scott Coughlan was on hand to pull off the save.

Cardiff stretched their lead to three just past the hour mark as Welch fired it past the opposition ‘keeper with his left foot after some great interplay.

The away side stepped up their efforts to mount a comeback after going three behind and substitute Jubkil Adedeji went close from a direct free kick. Minutes later, Reece Stray thumped the woodwork for the away side.

Captain Cameron Coxe almost scored an incredible goal from a free kick but the Watford ‘keeper just managed to tip the shot over his bar.

The impressive Bluebirds now look forward to their next game at home to Colchester United on Saturday 12th November.

U18 FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 3-0 WATFORD (Harris 51’, 61’, Welch 72’)

Cardiff City: Coughlan, Davies, Coxe (c), Young, Baldwin, Kelly, Waite, Welch, Harris, Spence, So Sani. Unused Subs: Evans, Burwood, Wootton, Sharif, Margetson.

Watford: Lacey, Jones, Gordon, Raikay, Huja, Rogers, Empson, Roe, Johnson, Stray, Chakies (Adedeji 55’). Unused Subs: Cruz-Cabera, Heskins, Tricker, Mullins.