Cardiff City's U21 side defeated Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon.
Match Report
Cardiff City U21 defeated PDL South leaders Charlton Athletic following a terrific home display on Saturday afternoon.
Substitutes Mannie Barton and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa scored off the bench for the young Bluebirds as the side put in a comprehensive performance to keep a clean sheet against the PDL South leaders.
Chances were shared in the opening 20 minutes, as both sides settled into proceedings whilst looking for a foothold.
Pat Casey sent an effort into the side netting at the far post a few minutes later, having received the ball with space to shoot.
The young Bluebirds had their biggest chance of the half with 25 minutes played, as Trey George struck the crossbar. Isaac Jefferies drove forwards at pace towards the area before finding Ashford, whose cross found George waiting.
Michael Reindorf found similar results ten minutes later, as his shot from inside the area also cannoned off the woodwork following a swift counter attack that began at the back with Jake Dennis distributing quickly.
Following the interval, the hosts continued their search for an opener, without as many opportunities immediately after the restart.
The visitors were denied on the hour mark by a terrific save from Jake Dennis, who dived to tip a direct free-kick away after it had beaten the defensive wall.
Fresh off the bench, it was substitute Mannie Barton who fired the Bluebirds ahead with 15 minutes remaining. Found at the edge of the area by Dakarai Mafico, Barton had time to line up a powerful shot that nestled in the net at the near post, deservedly putting City in the lead.
With one minute of the 90 remaining, Nyakuhwa struck home from Reindorf's dangerous low cross, securing victory for City as we head into the international break.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 2-0 CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Cardiff City: Dennis, Kpakio, Giles, Twose, Davies, Cook, Jefferies (Nyakuhwa 65'), Mafico, Reindorf, George (Barton 70'), Ashford. Subs: Nyakuhwa, Armstrong, Johnson, Edwards.
Charlton Athletic: MacLorg, Toure, Enslin, Kedwell, Hunter, Bower, Rylan, Huke, Mbick, Casey, Fullah. Subs: Hobden, Woodham, Cann, Safa, Sol-Loza.
Pre-Match | Matthew Bloxham
"Charlton are always a very good side for a Category 2 Academy. They always possess skilful, athletic players and will be a test with them having scored 28 goals already this year.
"The purpose of the U21s is to try and prepare the players for the robustness of a First Team season and this congested period has replicated that. The boys have been excellent so far in managing their recovery and ensuring they are able to perform every 3-4 days whilst the games have produced some positive performances from both a team an individual perspective.
"We look to win every game by playing to our strengths regardless of the opponent. It will be a tough test against Charlton but we are playing some real energetic attacking football and we will be expecting to see that again on Saturday."
PRE-MATCH | TANATSWA NYAKUHWA
“I thought we dominated the game against Ipswich, and the first half, we should’ve taken some of our chances, including myself. We knew they were a good side and that it was going to be a tough game, but I felt like we deserved the win.
“Charlton are always a good side to come up against. We played against them recently, so we know what they’re like, but we’re in a good place at the moment, and we want to carry that into that game this weekend. We want to show what we’re about.
“Playing a lot of games in such a short space of time gives us an insight into how things are in the Championship and in the First Team. It also gives us an opportunity to build momentum, and there’s always a lot of competition for every position in the squad, and that’s something we’re enjoying.
“Playing U21 football on a regular basis has been good, and it’s something that I’ve been wanting to do. Maybe I haven’t played as much as I would have liked to, but the competition in the team is so high, and that makes me a better player. Hopefully I can continue to build on that.”
Ticket information
Entry for this Saturday's match at Cardiff International Sports Campus will be free for all supporters.
Reaching THE GROUND
Supporters planning on attending on Saturday 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.