U18 Report: Crewe Alexandra 3-1 Cardiff City
Cardiff City’s U18 side fell to a 3-1 defeat against Crewe Alexandra at Alexandra Park, on Saturday April 6th.
Goals from Matthew Fenton, Connor Heath and Malachi Linton in the 40th, 73rd, and 90th minute respectively, gave the Bluebirds their third consecutive defeat. However, City’s place in the PDL2 Play-offs was confirmed following results elsewhere.
City started strongly, with Sam Bowen’s right-footed curling effort testing Sam Booth five minutes into the game.
At the other end, Jordan Duffey was tested by Joe Robbins’ following a spell of dominance from the young Bluebirds; Duffey made a good save in the 10th minute to keep City level.
The visitors continued to put considerable pressure on the hosts, searching for a vital goal to break the deadlock at Alexandra Park. Kieron Evans tried his luck in the 19th minute following an inventive turn to create the chance, but his strike was wide.
Eventually, following City’s considerable efforts in the opening stages of the game, they went ahead through top-scorer Dan Griffiths. The Wales U19 international showed great composure to round ‘keeper Sam Booth, firing home for his 25th goal of the season in the U18 side.
Matthew Fenton equalised for Crewe shortly before the break, beating Jordan Duffey with a looping header in the 40th minute.
Kieron Evans went close to scoring his 14th goal of the season as the tricky attacker’s curling strike looked to have beaten Booth, only to fire against the post with 27 minutes remaining.
The young Bluebirds were made to rue their missed chances, as Connor Heath completed his side’s comeback in the 73rd minute, finishing into the bottom-left corner.
Keenan Patten was sent off for a second bookable offence nine minutes later, before Crewe Alexandra scored a third goal in added-time to put the game out of the visitors reach. Malachi Linton fired across goal, past Duffey, to ensure that his side claimed all three points.
Final-Score: Crewe Alexandra 3-1 Cardiff City
Crewe Alexandra: Booth, Allen, Woodthorpe, Odipe (Hartshorn 65’), Fenton (C), Southern, Djalo (Lokko 80’), Robbins, Linton, Heath, Onyeka.
Subs not used: Walklate.
Cardiff City: Duffey, C. Davies (Pritchard 88’), Kavanagh, Reynolds (Ligendza 48’), Bagan, Patten, Parsons, Bowen (C), Pinchard, Evans, Griffiths.
Subs not used: Ratcliffe, Colwill, Smith.
