U23/DVP Report: Cardiff City 1-1 Watford
Cardiff City U23/DVP were held to a 1-1 Premier League Cup draw by their Watford counterparts at Cardiff City Stadium.
After a competitive start, it was the home side who had the first opportunity of the match. Ibrahim Meite, who netted in a 1-0 away win versus Coventry City on Monday, tried his luck from 25 yards. However his left footed effort went straight at the keeper.
Cardiff City then turned up the pressure even more with Meite proving to be a handful for the visitors. The 21-year-old forced a fine double save out of Sam Howes on the half-hour mark. His initial header and rebound were both kept out by the alert shot-stopper.
The visitors responded three minutes later. Striker Dion Periera lined up a powerful shot from around 25 yards, but it was deflected just wide for a corner.
Harvey’s troops continued their dominance after the interval and were almost rewarded with an opener ten minutes before the hour mark. One of three Cardiff City trialists saw a finesse strike glance narrowly wide of goal from the edge of the box.
Five minutes later Mark Harris came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock. The Welsh youth international did well to gain possession outside the box before seeing his deflected effort crash against the woodwork.
Cameron Coxe was next to test the Hornets’ keeper. The fullback charged forward before firing low with his unfavoured left foot. With the aid of a deflection it was comfortably saved by Howes to keep the game goalless.
For all their persistence, the Bluebirds finally broke the deadlock in the last 15 minutes. Substitute Ogo Obi was picked out unmarked inside the area and poked home through the legs of the 'keeper from six yards to make it 1-0.
Obi almost earned a brace just two minutes later. The striker muscled past the Watford defence before firing low and wide of the far post.
The visitors did, however, go back on level terms, equalising in the final minute of normal time. Ashley Charles curled a fine strike from distance into the bottom right corner to make it one-a-piece.
Following three minutes of additional time the referee then blew his whistle to conclude the Premier League Cup tie at Cardiff City Stadium.
Manager Jarred Harvey shared his thoughts following the draw, saying: “We’re disappointed to concede the goal late on. There were parts of the game where we were really effective but also moments when we couldn’t take our chances.
“[Ogo] Obi did well, he was a good introduction at the right time of the game. He’s starting to show glimpses of what he’s capable of doing.
“Focus will be on Monday now for QPR at home. It’s a lot of football in a short space of time but great experience for the lads.”
Cardiff City: Burwood, Coxe, Abbruzzese, Trialist (4), P. McKay, Brown, Meite (Obi 68’), Trialist (8), M. Harris, Waite (Humphries 62’), Trialist (11).
Subs not used: Ratcliffe, Sharif, Margetson.
Watford: Howes, Jones, Gordan, Charles, Ryan, Mukena, Lewis, Stewart, Sinclair (Cassidy 62’), Sesay, Pereira.
Subs not used: Stray, Gartside, Cruz Cabrera.
