U18 | Coventry City 3-2 Cardiff City
City's U18s were narrowly defeated by Coventry City on saturday afternoon.
![Mannie Barton](https://cdn.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-08/Mannie-Barton.jpg)
Match Summary
The young Bluebirds fell to their first defeat of the PDL season on Saturday afternoon, as Coventry City claimed a 3-2 victory.
After Hutton's side were reduced to ten players, the hosts raced into a 3-0 lead, but City showed great character to fight back.
A fine strike from Osian Rees brought one back for the Bluebirds, before striker Leeyon Phelan was rewarded for some tireless work to bring City within one.
Despite a spirited performance, the hosts took all three points.
![Tom Hutton](https://cdn.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-07/tom-hutton-16x9.jpg)
PRE-MATCH | TOM HUTTON
Ahead of the fixture, U18 head coach Tom Hutton said: "We're all really pleased with the way that the season has gone so far. It's been a positive start, not only with our results, but also the performances. We're trying to establish a way of playing with the new lads that have joined us this year and with the progress that has been made from last season, it's nice to win games of football, but even better when you're playing well.
"I don't think any game at this level is easy. We always prepare as well as we can for the challenge that is to come on Saturday. Over the last few years, we've had some great encounters against Coventry City and we're expecting the same this weekend."
![Osian Rees](https://cdn.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-08/osian-rees.jpg)
PRE-MATCH | OSIAN REES
City playmaker Osian Rees, who netted last time out against Birmingham City, added: "We're all really happy with our start. After last season and the way we began the season, the older players in the group really wanted to start the season well. We knew it would put us in a good place for the rest of the season and we're really looking forward to Saturday.
"We can take a lot of confidence from the last two performances. If we can keep it up, it will bring us results, but it's also important that we stay humble as a group. We don't want to go into games being overconfident, so it's about staying focused."
Ticket information
Entry for this Saturday's match at Coventry City Academy will be free for all supporters.
Reaching THE GROUND
Supporters planning on attending on Saturday should use the following address:
The Alan Higgs Centre, Allard Way, Pinley, Coventry, CV3 1HW
There are four railway stations in Coventry: the main Coventry station, which is the closest, and three local stations at Canley, Coventry Arena and Tile Hill.
Please note that Coventry Station is a 56-minute walk from Coventry City's Academy.