U18 Match Report: Cardiff City 2-3 Millwall
Cardiff City’s U18 side narrowly lost 3-2 to Millwall U18 at the death following a battling performance in the Professional Development League at Cardiff International Sports Stadium on Saturday.
Oli Bate sent the visitors ahead in the early stages, but Siyabonga Ligendza levelled and Colwill grabbed City’s second before the break. After the interval, Tyrese Briscoe’s brace secured three points for the Lions.
Matthew Bloxham made five changes from last time out, as Jaimie Cogman, James Crole, Tom Chiabi, Ligendza and Colwill started.
Millwall opened the scoring after six minutes, as striker Bate scrambled the ball beyond goalkeeper Cogman from close range.
With end-to-end play, Australian Cogman made a string of saves to deny Millwall a second, while the Bluebirds hunted for a leveller.
City equalised on the half-hour mark through forward Ligendza’s third goal of the season. His effort from the edge of the area took a slight deflection and Jordan Gillmore watched the ball dribble into the right corner.
Eight minutes later, the visitors came close to regaining their advantage, but forward Briscoe struck the crossbar with a powerful shot from within the box.
With four minutes of the opening 45 remaining, the hosts took the lead through 17-year-old Colwill who hammered into the bottom left corner from distance to seal his second goal of the campaign.
After the interval, it took the Bluebirds five minutes to near a third, as Kieron Evans was superbly denied by goalkeeper Gillmore from close range.
Two minutes later, forward Evans had the ball in the Lions’ net, but the goal was ruled out by the offside flag and Cardiff City remained one goal in front.
However, Millwall levelled the scoring after 57 minutes, as dangerman Briscoe fired into the top right corner from inside the box.
Both sides battled to go ahead and despite City’s efforts it went the way of the visitors at the death. Briscoe’s second goal two minutes into added time sealed three points for the Lions.
U18 FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 2-3 MILLWALL
Cardiff City U18: Cogman, Pritchard, Bagan (Parsons 81’), Jones, Pinchard, Kavanagh (Rippon 68’), Crole, Chiabi, Ligendza (Mayembe 63’), Colwill, Evans. Subs not used: King, Yanko.
Millwall U18: Gillmore, Bennett, Miller, Munting, Muller, Penney, Barton, O'Brien (Mitchell 85’), Bate (Abdulmalik 71’), Briscoe, Boateng.Subs not used: Hefzalla, Fanshawe, Brooke.
