U21 Match Report | Cardiff City 0-2 Queens Park Rangers

A clinical second-half performance from the visitors proved decisive in Leckwith, as City were denied their chances on goal.

Former City player Albert Adomah had the first clear-cut chance of the match, as he cut inside from the right before forcing a good stop from Jake Dennis.

As the half progressed, City adapted well to the pressure and frequently frustrated the visitors by striking quickly on the counterattack. Raheem Conte’s strike inside the area was denied by the onrushing Matteo Salamon at the end of one such counter, while Cian Ashford’s shot cannoned off the post as he lined up an effort from over 20 yards out.

The best chance of the half similarly came from a City counterattack, beginning as Dennis claimed a corner kick before quickly throwing the ball out to Will Spiers. The right-back dashed up the pitch before cutting a ball across the visitors’ area, where Conte struck goalwards. While the ‘keeper was beaten, Jake Leahy had managed to rush to his goal line and put in a last-ditch block to keep the score goalless.

Harry Murphy broke the deadlock just before the hour mark, tucking away his shot from inside the area at the end of some good passing play in the build-up by the R’s.

Following some good City play in the build-up without converting their chances, the visitors doubled their lead with ten minutes remaining, which the young Bluebirds were unable to answer to in the time remaining.

FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 0-2 QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Cardiff City: Dennis, Spiers, Benjamin, Cook, Giles, Kavanagh, J. Colwill (Kenniford 71'), Antwi (Semenyo 71'), Conte (Nyakuhwa 71'), Ashford (Wigley 71'), Johnson. Subs: Thomas.

Following the final whistle, Darren Purse discussed the result: “We played some nice bits in the first half and should have come in at half-time one or two nil up from the chances that we created on the counter-attack.

“We’re frustrated, because the performance in the first half meant we should’ve been leading, and then in the second we were a bit disjointed, and after the changes it didn’t help. QPR were more ruthless than us; when they had their chances they took them, and we had ours we didn’t.

“We need to get that winning mentality. Perhaps we’re thinking that because we’re not at the top end of the division and it’s harder to get that mentality, but it shouldn’t be. We need to drive each other through those moments in games, whether it’s missing a chance or conceding, so that we’re holding ourselves accountable.”