U18 Report: Cardiff City 0-1 Coventry City
Cardiff City’s U18 side narrowly lost 1-0 to Coventry City U18 in the Professional Development League, despite a battling performance at Cardiff International Sports Stadium.
Harrison Nee’s penalty after seven minutes proved to be the winner, as Isaak Davies missed his spot-kick for the hosts shortly after the break.
Matthew Bloxham made four changes from the 7-3 win at Colchester United last time out, as Jaimie Cogman, Jac Clay, Taylor Jones and Owen Pritchard started.
The Bluebirds crafted their opening opportunity after three minutes. Eli King beautifully threaded the ball through for Isaak Davies, who went one-on-one with Cian Tyler, but from an acute angle struck the post.
Four minutes later, the visitors were awarded a penalty as forward Nee went down in the area. Nee stepped up and converted into the bottom left corner to extend his squad top scorer status to five goals.
City determinedly hunted an equaliser and came close with 19 minutes played. Rubin Colwill’s terrific through-ball was gathered by Kieron Evans, who strode forward before striking astray of the left post from an angle.
Following the interval, it took the Bluebirds eight minutes before being awarded a penalty. Isaak Davies stepped up, but his attempt was saved by goalkeeper Tyler.
The Sky Blues went on to produce three dangerous attacks from the 55th minute until the 61st, which resulted in goalkeeper Cogman superbly denying Hayden Purves twice and scorer Nee once.
After 75 minutes, Cardiff City had a brilliant chance as forward Evans latched onto the end of a long ball, but struck the post from a narrow angle.
Three minutes later, the hosts were unlucky not to convert from two low crosses. James Crole couldn’t connect with Evans’, before Isaak Davies came close to getting on the end of Colwill’s.
Coventry City’s Tyler almost gifted the Bluebirds a goal. The threatening Evans’ powerful shot from just outside the box was fumbled towards goal by the goalkeeper, who swiftly gathered.
Cardiff City’s final two opportunities came either side of 90 minutes. Substitute Crole fired into the side netting from an acute angle and Isaak Davies struck just wide after pacing into the box from the left.
U18 FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 0-1 COVENTRY CITY
Cardiff City U18: Cogman, Clay (Chiabi 59’), Jones, Pritchard, King, Pinchard, Macnamara, Colwill, Ligendza (Crole 63’), Evans, I. Davies. Subs not used: Stewart, Bright, Ashford.
Coventry City U18: Tyler, Taylor, Forsyth, Costa (Rodber 69’), Burroughs, Ward, Purves, Howley, Nee, Harland, Nightingale. Subs not used: White, Fallows, Shaw, Ramsey.
