U15 | Young Bluebirds prepare for Floodlit Cup Regional Final

Cardiff City’s U15 side will travel to face Plymouth Argyle in the Regional Final of the Floodlit Cup on Wednesday evening – 6pm kick-off.

The young Bluebirds defeated Cambridge United and Swansea City in the previous rounds of the competition, with the winners of the Wednesday's Regional Final set to face northern opponents in the National Final in the next few weeks.

Coached by none other than former Argyle defender Réda Johnson, City’s young players are now excited to travel to Devon for the midweek fixture at the Pilgrims’ Home Park.

“We’ve got a ‘never give up’ mentality, and that’s a part of the philosophy of Cardiff City Football Club,” began Réda. “We were in the Quarter-Final against Cambridge United. It was a tough game against really good opposition, but we fought until the end. We did the same against Swansea City in the Semi-Final, and we’re now in this Final because we deserve it.

“For the boys to beat Swansea City, it was really good for their confidence. Firstly, most of them knew a few of the players from their younger age groups. The boys have got a lot of courage, and have confidence in going to play at Home Park. There is strong character within the group.

“Going back to Home Park to watch the boys play there will be a good experience for us all, and I think that we will do well. They’re opening the right doors by listening to what we’re telling them in training and from the sidelines, and we’re really proud of their progress so far, but it’s not finished yet.

“They have a job to do now, or rather two, as we want to be in that National Final. It’s what they deserve, but they still have to work to get there. 

"We’ll get ready for this match as we would for any other, and manage the expectation and pressure. We’ll go together as a squad, and look to start strongly.”

Sharing his thoughts on Wednesday’s fixture, centre-back and regular U15 captain Thomas Prickett is relishing the opportunity and looking to build on momentum from previous fixtures in the cup campaign.

“We played with some of the Swansea City players at district or county level, so we do know them fairly well, and have played against them numerous times already this season also," said Thomas. "We knew that would be a tough game going into it, but it was an amazing feeling to go through to the next round from winning a derby fixture, and to do it on penalties made it even more special.

“Our main messages that we’ve been having from the coaches is to start strong. The quicker that we can start, the better we then cope against teams. Once we get going we play much better, so that’s what we’re looking to do on Wednesday.

“It’s good to have someone coaching you who has played in your position on the field. Réda has made it as a player and performed at a top level, so getting tips from him is great as it teaches me where I need to be, and I’ll strive to get there. 

"I want to keep listening and look to improve on weaknesses, and strengths as well.”