Cardiff City's U21 side secured their spot in the Semi Final of the Nathaniel MG Cup on Monday night.
Match Report
Cardiff City’s U21 side fought back twice to come from behind and secure their spot in the Semi Final of the Nathaniel MG Cup on Monday night.
Trey George scored alongside an own-goal and Michael Reindorf's terrific injury-time winner as the young Bluebirds battled against a senior Cymru Premier outfit, going ahead for the first time in the 92nd minute of play.
The match began at pace as both sides looked to make an early mark on the run of play, with City battling for possession against their senior counterparts throughout early exchanges.
Shouts for a penalty-kick were dismissed as Mannie Barton was brought down just inside the area. However, the referee adjudged the situation differently, and booked the forward for simulation.
Barton continued his good work down the left and was match by the direct play of Isaac Jefferies down the right, who create a number of chances with a series of good deliveries into the area, the pair repeatedly testing ‘keeper Alex Lang.
The visitors began the second half with a more direct approach to their attack, quickly forcing themselves onto the front foot and maintaining early momentum as they pushed into the City area, resulting in a number of shots being lashed wide of the mark as City held their ground early on.
Not long afterwards, Cardiff Met got their reward as they went ahead. From a free-kick into the area, the ball was recycled to Thomas Vincent, who stroked the ball in at the far post, past the reach of Matt Turner.
The young Bluebirds now needed a response, and quickly found their way back through Trey George, who made no mistake in converting an equaliser from a low cross in at the six yard box.
City and Met continued to trade blows as play went back and forth in the closing stages, with the game opening up and chances becoming more frequent.
With ten minutes remaining, Eliot Evans put the visitors ahead once again, as he picked out a shot on the half volley following a quick transition of possession.
Once again, City had to dig deep to find a response, and did initially thanks to a sublime Luey Giles cross. The ball curled across the face of goal and was parried away by Lang onto the shins of Michael Chubb, whose accidental touch was enough to draw City level.
The Bluebirds weren’t done there, however, and struck once more to go ahead late on, this time with a goal of the highest quality.
As the Archers found themselves unable to clear their lines under increasing pressure, Reindorf won the ball back inside the area, and with the space afforded him, lashed a shot into the top corner, to the delight of his teammates and home supporters in the stand.
Holding on until the final whistle was blown, City had overcome their greatest challenge in the tournament thus far with a gritty performance under the floodlights, ensuring that a spot in the Semi Final now awaits the competition’s sole remaining wildcard entrant.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY U21 3-2 CARDIFF MET
Cardiff City: Turner, Kpakio, Giles, Twose, Davies, Cook, Jefferies, Mafico, Reindorf, George, Barton (Nyakuhwa 69'). Subs: Joe Thomas, Fleming, Johnson, Perrett, Jac Thomas, Wigley.
Cardiff City’s U21 side will return to Nathaniel MG Cup action on Monday night, with the young Bluebirds set for a Quarter Final against Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Since entering the Cup as a wildcard entry, City are now the sole remaining non-Cymru Premier side in the competition, having defeated Merthyr Town in September’s Third Round contest. Hosting the Martyrs at Cardiff International Sports Stadium, the young Bluebirds saw off Merthyr as the match ended 2-1, with Michael Reindorf picking up a brace under the floodlights.
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Pre-Match | Matthew Bloxham
“For the boys this is a massively important experience, having them go up against not only a men’s side but a good Cymru Premier team who have got a history with Cardiff City.
“It will be a physical test, but it’s something we’re looking forward to. The most important thing for us is implementing what we want to do against a senior team, both controlling and defending as we know we can.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for the young players to show the fans the talent that they have, and for them to be seen at their very best in a competitive fixture.
"I’ve got no doubt that they are looking forward to hopefully watching energetic and attacking football.
"As well as that, the noise supporters should bring will create an atmosphere that will hopefully replicate a First Team experience, with the idea of the boys gaining from the experience and looking towards making that step up."
Ticket information
Entry for this Monday's match at Cardiff International Sports Campus will be free of charge for all supporters!
Reaching THE GROUND
Supporters planning on attending on Monday night should use the following address:
Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith Rd, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ.
The ground is located an 11-minute walk away from Ninian Park Station and a 32-minute walk from Cardiff Central Station.