U18 | CITY 1-1 MILLWALL
A young Cardiff City U18 side drew 1-1 with Millwall in a physical fixture at Leckwith Stadium on Saturday, 21st January 2017.
Cardiff City began the match with ten U16 players in the match-day squad, including Sion Spence, who recently made his debut for the U23 squad at just 16-years-old.
The away side started quicker and threatened in the early exchanges. Matt Day could have put the young Lions ahead after just three minutes, but his left footed effort from the edge of the box failed to trouble City 'keeper Scott Coughlan.
Cardiff had to soak up a lot of pressure in the first 10 minutes but did have a chance of their own. Forward Isaak Davies found himself a pocket of space on the left hand side of the area, but his first time strike was saved well by Ryan Sandford in the Millwall goal.
Lions striker Noel Leighton also had a chance to give his side the lead inside five minutes. Some good attacking play down the right hand side resulted in an Isaac Olaofe cross, but Leighton could only guide his header wide.
City's U18 side struck first at Leckwith Stadium, taking the lead on 27 minutes, with Isaak Davies making a similar run that created his first chance. However, this time he beat both defender and goalkeeper with an exquisite chip to give his side the advantage going into the break.
The young Bluebirds went into the second half aiming to increase their advantage, while Millwall tried their best to get back into the match. Welsh youth goalkeeper Coughlan was again on hand to produce a number of impressive saves to retain his side’s lead.
The Lions had their first real chance of the second half on 65 minutes. Isaac Olaofe burst down the right hand side into the box, but a combination of Coughlan and post denied the Lions' winger.
This gave the visitors some confidence and they drew themselves level with just seven minutes of normal time to play. Lewis White, who had been a threat throughout, found space inside the City box and his powerful shot beat Coughlan at his far post.
The Bluebirds piled the pressure on in the final stages to try find a winner, but Millwall’s defence held firm meaning a well earned draw for both sides.
U18 FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 1-1 MILLWALL (I. DAVIES 27’, WHITE 83’.)
Cardiff City: Coughlan, Madden (Jones, 81), J. Davies, Bowen (Patten, 70), Sharif, Bodenham, C. Williams (C. Williams, 45) , Wootton, I. Davies, Spence, C. Davies. Subs not used: Burwood, Margetson.
Millwall: Sandford, Queeley, Tiensia, Wicks, Debrah, Green, Olaofe, Ebuzoeme, Leighton (Duncan, 72), Day, White. Subs not used: Jackson, West, Taylor, Skeffington.
