U18 Match Preview | Reading vs. Cardiff City

Cardiff City's U18 side return to PDL action on Wednesday afternoon with a trip to the Bearwood Park Training Facility to face Reading – kick off at 1pm.

The young Bluebirds come into the fixture looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat away to Charlton Athletic at the weekend.

Steve Jenkins’ side took the lead through Tana Jones, but it was the Addicks who took all three points. with a late winner proving the difference for the hosts.

While defeated, Jenkins was proud of the performance: “The boys played really well," said Steve."We were a threat throughout, and we were unlucky not to get something from the game.”

The result kept City in third place in the PDL South and five points behind leaders Charlton, but crucially the Bluebirds have two games in hand over the leaders.

Their opponents on Wednesday night, Reading, come into this fixture in sixth place and eight points behind the Bluebirds.

The Royals most recently fought to a 4-0 victory over Colchester United last week, with U18s Manager Jenkins now expecting a good challenge from the matchup away from home.

“It’s going to be a tough game," he explained. "Every game in this league is a difficult one, so we have to make sure that we are fully focused and motivated.

“We played them in pre-season so we know it’ll be a difficult match, but if we turn up and we are at our consistent level, then we will be a threat.”