U18 | Cardiff City 3-4 Queens Park Rangers

City's U18s were defeated by Queens park rangers in the PDL on Saturday afternoon.

Watch highlights on Cardiff City TV.

Reaction | TOM HUTTON

After the game, U18 head coach Tom Hutton said: “We had some change in personnel and some square pegs in round holes, but that’s never an excuse for us. When you look at the game in isolation today, for 33 minutes we weren’t good enough. The most important thing for us is that we have an identity on and off the ball, and whilst we tried lots of good things with the ball, our identity today was lacking when we didn’t have it. We came off second best in most duels across the pitch, and ultimately that’s what cost us the poor start. This is a run of six games now where the boys have played a lot of football, and some have crossed over into the U21s. While today has been disappointing, we can reflect positively on the start we’ve made.

“We have to start games of football better. In some games, like the one against Ipswich, it was small mistakes that cost us rather than a negative start, but today, we were deservedly 3-0 down. We have to look at ways that we can get a stronger foothold in games early. Whether that be taking the chances that we create or compete against threats other teams are offering more effectively, but this group won’t roll over. They don’t give up easily, and I said at half-time that QPR are a good team who came here with a strong group. If we let it slip away from us at half-time, it could have easily been five or six to them, and the boys showed positive signs of belief to almost get themselves back into the game.”

MATCH SUMMARY

Much of the first half went by without incident, but as the game reached the latter part of the first period, QPR found three goals. Their first was a shot from distance, the second a cushioned finish past Luke Armstrong, before they added their third from a well-worked free-kick routine, as they went in three goals to the good at the break.

Tom Hutton’s side knew they needed to work hard in the second 45 to get anything from the game, and they got off to the perfect start, as Jac Thomas’ free kick underneath the wall pulled one back just four minutes in. Osian Rees almost reduced the deficit to one moments later, but he saw his free kick smack against the crossbar. However, the Hoops would regain their three-goal advantage from the penalty spot on the hour mark.

Leeyon Phelan converted Harry Watts’ cross with two minutes of normal time remaining to set up a grandstand finish, but as the Bluebirds began to mount a siege on the Rangers goal, Noah Williams was sent off in the final few minutes. Mannie Barton did add a third in the 99th minute, but it was to be defeat at home for City.

Next up for the young Bluebirds is a PDL Cup game away to Bournemouth on Saturday, October 5th. Kick-off is at 12pm.

PRE-MATCH | TOM HUTTON

Ahead of the fixture, U18 head coach Tom Hutton said: “Having come back in a couple of games now already this season, it gives us a confidence and a belief in what we’re doing. Dealing with setbacks is part of football, and youth football is very unpredictable. You have to focus on what you can control, and last weekend against Ipswich and in midweek against Swansea, the boys didn’t get flustered. They remained calm and they had the belief in what we’re trying to do, and it’s a credit to them, because particularly with young players, that isn’t an easy thing to do.

“We’ve tried to rest and recover well from midweek. The game against Swansea was the fifth in 14 days for some of our boys, and there’s a lot to be said about that as well. The boys train really hard, they’re a professional group, and they look after themselves. To get through this volume of games and perform so positively is a credit to them. The fixture against QPR gives us an opportunity to do just that.”

PRE-MATCH | LEEYON PHELAN

Attacker Leeyon Phelan, who netted a brace last time out, added: “When I came to the club, it was a challenge, but as this season has progressed, I’m finding everything that little bit easier. As you go up the age groups, things do get more difficult, the speed of the game gets quicker, and adjusting to all of that can be difficult. However, you do eventually find your rhythm, and I’ve found mine at the moment, and we’re in a good place as a team.

“I feel we as a team can go far this season. I hope we can finish quite high in our league, win a couple of cups, and if we carry on the way we are currently, the possibilities for us are endless.”

TICKET INFORMATION

Entry for this Saturday's match at Cardiff International Sports Campus will be free for all supporters.

REACHING THE GROUND

Supporters planning on attending on Saturday should use the following address:

Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith Rd, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ.

The ground is located an 11-minute walk away from Ninian Park Station and a 32-minute walk from Cardiff Central Station.