Kevin Nicholson's U23 development side extended their 100% winning start to the season on Monday, 5th September, defeating Colchester United at The Vale Resort.
The young Bluebirds took the lead early in the second half through forward Eli Phipps - the Welsh striker heading home Dylan Rees' pinpoint cross after 53 minutes.
Nicholson's men didn't have to wait long to extend their lead, through a truly impressive strike from Jamie Bird. The young attacker received plaudits last season for this individual strike for the U18 side against Crystal Palace, and he scored another surefire Club GOTM contender against the U's. Bird beating two members of the opposition before cutting inside from the left and curling an incredible effort into the top right corner from 25-yards out.
Femi Akinwande reduced the deficit for the travelling Colchester side on 62 minutes, clinically slotting in at close range. The determined City side weren't ready to surrender their lead though, and regained a two goal advantage just two minutes later with Phipps scoring his second of the match from the penalty spot after Macauley Southam was fouled.
The scoring was concluded in this exciting match after 82 minutes, with Bird adding his second goal after Lloyd Humphries was initially denied by Colchester goalkeeper Dillon Barnes.
Four wins from four league matches so far in 2016/17 for Nicholson's U23 development side - who will look to take this superb start into their next match away at Hull City on Monday, 12th September 2016.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 4-1 COLCHESTER UNITED (Phipps 53' 64', Bird 56' 82'; Akinwande 62')
Cardiff City: O'Reilly, Rees (Kelly, 81), James, Patten, Blaise (Baker, 77), Menayese, Southam, Humphries, Phipps, (Waite, 82) Bird, Weymans. Subs Not Used: Burwood.
Colchester United: Barnes, Ocran, Wyatt, Garvan (Harrison, 45), Peter, James, Sembie-Ferris, Wright, Akinwande, Regis, Brown (Sheriff, 80). Subs Not Used: Williams, Partridge, Edge.
