U18 Match Report: Cardiff City 2-2 Watford
U18 HIGHLIGHTS | WATFORD
Cardiff City’s U18 side battled back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Watford U18 in the Professional Development League at Cardiff International Sports Stadium on Saturday morning.
Dom Hutchinson struck a brace for the away side, before Rubin Colwill and Owen Pritchard netted City’s goals. Matthew Bloxham made three changes from last time out as Nativ Yanko, Taylor Jones and Siyabonga Ligendza started.
The Bluebirds’ first effort on target came after ten minutes. Eli King’s ambitious attempt from range, travelled low and into the arms of Myles Roberts. Four minutes later, the Hornets took the lead. Captain Hutchinson finished from close range and at an acute angle in a one-on-one situation.
City hunted a leveller and had an excellent chance to get it on the half-hour mark. Forward Ligendza caught sight of goal inside the area, but fired into goalkeeper Roberts’ chest.
Dangerman Hutchinson neared a brace with one minute of the opening 45 remaining. The attacker’s shot from just outside the six-yard box was superbly cleared off the line by defender Jones.
After the interval, Cardiff City continued to hunt an equaliser and had an opportunity six minutes in. Forward Colwill’s free-kick from just outside the area travelled just over the crossbar.
Watford went on to double their lead after 56 minutes from the penalty spot. Stopper Yanko dived the correct way, but could not keep out 18-year-old Hutchinson’s spot-kick.
The Bluebirds maintained their fighting spirit and clawed a goal back with 15 minutes of the 90 remaining. Determined Colwill hammered into the bottom left corner to seal his fourth goal of the campaign.
Cardiff City refused to settle for any less than a point and got their leveller after 87 minutes. Right-back Pritchard’s powerful strike from outside the box could not be kept out by stopper Roberts.
City then looked for a winner and came close two minutes into additional time. Defender King’s curling free-kick from the left flank was kept out and that proved to be the final chance, as the teams took a point apiece.
U18 FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 2-2 WATFORD
Cardiff City U18: Yanko, Pritchard, Parsons, Jones, Rippon, King, Schwank (Demery 69’), Pinchard, Ligendza, Colwill, Thomas. Subs not used: Cogman, Kavanagh, Ware, T. Davies.
Watford U18: Roberts, Andrews, Maclean, Burchell, Lawal, Janjeva, McKiernan, Horsewood (Hall 88’), Hutchinson, Muwonge (Sankoh 54’), Lo-Everton. Subs not used: White, Forde.
