U21 Match Report | Cardiff City 1-0 Bristol City
Cardiff City's U21 side defeated PDL South leaders Bristol City in an exciting clash on Tuesday afternoon.
The young Bluebirds found their winning goal thanks to Vontae Campbell's lofted shot in the second half, with City putting in a resolute defensive display against the Robins.
Fielding a youthful starting XI against Bristol City, 'keeper Lewys Benjamin and midfielder Dakarai Mafico made their debuts for the U21 side as they started for City, whilst Troy Perrett also made his debut for the side when he came off the bench during the second half.
Goalkeeper Benjamin made a great early save to deny the visitors just past the 10 minute mark, when his outstretched leg sent a dangerous shot from a tight angle around his far post.
With the visitors controlling much of possession throughout the first half, City relied on their defensive shape to handle their opponents' incisive passing, and limited chances around their area effectively.
City looked positive when in possession, a front two of Jack Leahy and Chanka Zimba combined well throughout to create and hold up play well. Zimba played Leahy through just past the 20 minute mark, but the latter was called back by the linesman as he was deemed to have ran offside.
Minutes later, the confident Leahy struck on goal from just outside the area, but saw his curled effort tipped beyond the post by the 'keeper.
Remaining an outlet for the young Bluebirds in attack, Zimba paired well with Mafico on several occasions, including a terrific ball which cut through the visitors' defensive line, though Dakarai wasn't quite able to put his effort away.
Up the other end, Lewys Benjamin pulled off two great saves within a dramatic three minutes, as he put his body on the line twice to block powerful efforts on goal.
Holding on to the interval, City dealt well with the Bristol press following the break, and eventually took the lead with Vontae Campbell's neat finish. Jack Leahy's incisive through ball cut into the area for the wing-back to chip the ball home, breaking the deadlock in style to put the Bluebirds deservedly ahead.
Holding on for the remainder, the Bluebirds continued to impress defensively as they had done throughout the encounter. With a backline defending physically against experienced opposition, midfielders Eli King and Cameron Antwi were both on hand to contribute to tackles and sweep up any loose balls before quickly redistributing safely away.
The victory over the league leaders puts City in good stead with a busy run of fixtures ahead, and three more important points on the tally.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 1-0 BRISTOL CITY
Cardiff City: L. Benjamin, Campbell, Semenyo, MacNamara, X. Benjamin, T. Jones, Mafico (Perrett 72'), King, Zimba, Antwi (Coomer 80'), Leahy. Subs not used: C. Jones, Phillips.
Bristol City: Bajic, Clarke, Silva, Kadji, Label, King, Williams, Massengo, Holden, Sykes, Bell. Subs: Duncan, Bell, Leeson, Morrison, Acey.
