U21 | Afan Lido 1-3 Cardiff City

Cardiff City's U21 side began their Nathaniel MG Cup campaign with a trip to face Afan Lido on Friday, July 19th.

Match Report

Cardiff City’s U21 side secured their place in the second round of the Nathaniel MG Cup by defeating Afan Lido away from home on Friday night.

Trey George opened the scoring for the Bluebirds in the first half, with substitute Cody Twose’s brace reestablishing a healthy lead after City conceded a from a penalty kick right after the break.

City were tested early on by the hosts as they looked to exert pressure throughout the opening exchanges. Dylan Lawlor stepped up well to the challenge alongside  central defensive partner Freddie Cook, putting in a number of important blocks as well as battling well in the air as the hosts took a direct approach up the pitch.

Trey George put City ahead on the 12th minute, dispatching a lofted shot past the ‘keeper after being played through down the middle.

The hosts would be knocking on the door for spells throughout the rest of the half, but could only create a few half chances as the young Bluebirds held firm against their Cymru South opponents.

The breakthrough for Lido came five minutes past the interval, as Jonathan Hood netted from a penalty-kick following a foul inside the box.

Spurred on with renewed energy having conceded their lead, City put themselves ahead once again in terrific fashion, as substitute Twose netted after less than a minute played. Michael Reindorf was instrumental in setting up the goal in a two-on-one with the ‘keeper, squaring selflessly for his teammate to shoot into an empty net.

Cody doubled the lead five minutes later, linking up well with George at the end of a series of great passes around and into the area by the Bluebirds.

Controlling for the remainder, City looked to create further chances but weren’t quite able to capitalise, while managing to limit the threat posed by the hosts’ counter-attacking intent in the closing minutes.

City now progress to the Second Round of the Nathaniel MG Cup, with fixture details to follow in due course.

Final score: Afan Lido 1-3 Cardiff City

Match Reaction

Following the final whistle, Darren Purse shared his thoughts on the match:

“I’m happy to get through,” began Darren. “There are certain games this year that we’re trying to target, where results really do matter because it gives you a different mind set within the game, and today was one of them.

“I thought at times that our performance was really good, and you could see what the boys have learned from the last two games against senior opposition. I was delighted with how we defended set pieces, with eight corners in the first half and defending them really well.

“We could have scored more goals, particularly in the second half, but it’s nice to be in the next round and it’s another game to test ourselves with.

“If you look at the week as a whole, from Potters Bar to Barry Town United to tonight, I think it’s been an excellent experience for everyone involved. With the team tonight you can see there are a lot of scholars amongst it, and when you have Academy players going to play in Austria with the First Team, you can see that there is progression and the Academy is in a really good place at the moment.

“The new players who have joined us over the summer fit in very well to the Academy and bring a really physical profile to the group, which is fantastic. The way the recruitment is working, we’re bringing in players who enhance the programme and the other players already in the group."

He concluded: "I’m enjoying the process at the moment but it comes from a lot of hard work from people behind the scenes; people like Matthew Bloxham and Darran Lovell as well as the scouts out there watching games every day, so that when you have the opportunity to sign players, you’ve had them watched and done your due diligence so that you’re bringing people in who fit with the ethos of the Academy.”

Pre-match | Darren Purse

Ahead of the Nathaniel MG Cup campaign, U21 head coach Purse said: "I think the best thing about the two pre-season games that we've had so far is that it's prepared us for a competitive game on Friday in the cup. We've tried to get the lads ready to go to Afan Lido and know what they're going to be in for.

"I watched them last week when they played Briton Ferry Llansawel. They're direct at times, physical and have got some good players. It's important that we handle the physical side of the game. Afan Lido are a good side and it's going to be a tough test for us."

Pre-match | Freddie Cook

Centre-back Freddie Cook added: "It's great to be back in the flow of it in pre-season. It's a different challenge for us playing against men's teams, but it's good for us to get that experience.

"The two games against Potters Bar and Barry Town have given us an idea of what we're going to face against Afan Lido and it's all good learning for us before the cup game. We're all excited to play in the competition. It's a good challenge for us and we want to go as far as we can in the competition."

Ticket information

Tickets will be available to purchase on the turnstile at the Lido Ground on matchday, at the following prices:

• Adult: £5
• Concessions and Under 16: £3

Please note that tickets will be available to purchase using cash only.

Reaching the Lido Ground

Afan Lido FC is located on Aberavon seafront, and best accessed via Junction 40 on the M4. 

Supporters planning on making the trip to the fixture on Friday evening should use the following address:

Afan Lido FC,
Princess Margaret Way,
Port Talbot,
Neath Port Talbot,
SA12 6QW