U21 Match Report | Cardiff City 1-0 Reading
Darren Purse's U21 side made it back-to-back PL Cup victories with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Reading on Friday afternoon.
The young Bluebirds started brightly, with Isaac Jefferies and Tom Davies combining well to create several opportunities on the left flank.
From a dangerous delivery, Sean Morrison, making another competitive appearance as he continues on the road to recovery, hooked the ball towards the far post, with Cameron Antwi inches away from connecting.
The Royals grew into the game as the half wore on, and came close through Jay Senga. The tricky midfielder drove forward towards the City box, and struck an effort on goal which crashed against the post and away to safety.
City stopper Matt Turner was forced into an excellent save minutes later, tipping Adrian Akande's powerful effort over the crossbar.
Both sides looked to create chances in the remaining part of the first half, but the opening 45 came to a close with neither side able to break the deadlock.
Darren Purse made two changes at half-time, with Xavier Benjamin and Kyle Kenniford being introduced.
A key moment took place in the 65th minute, when the visitors were reduced to ten men. Captain Louie Holzman, who had been booked earlier in the match, was drawn into a foul by City forward James Crole, tripping the striker and earning a second yellow card.
The Bluebirds made the most of their numerical advantage shortly afterwards, breaking the deadlock after 76 minutes through Wigley.
A dangerous corner kick from Caleb Hughes was cleared off the goal-line, with Joel Colwill firing low on the rebound. The goalkeeper spilled the ball at the feet of Wigley, who showed composure to find the top corner from close range.
Reading should have seen another man dismissed soon afterwards, as Claudio Osario lashed out at Hughes off the ball. The midfielder was shown a yellow card.
With City defending their lead, Crole had a golden chance to add a second on the break late in the game, but clipped the ball over the crossbar.
The final whistle confirmed City's second consecutive PL Cup victory, and second win over Reading this season. Purse's men are next in action on Saturday, December 3rd, when Wolves travel to the Welsh capital.
FULL TIME: CARDIFF CITY U21 1-0 READING U21
Cardiff City: Turner, Semenyo (Benjamin 46'), Morrison (Pritchard 60'), McNamara, T. Davies, Antwi, Colwill, Leahy (Kenniford 46'), Hughes, Jefferies (Wigley 71'), Crole.
Subs not used: Dennis.
Reading: Norcott, Abdel-Salam, Leavy, Holzman, Paul (Hammond-Chambers 60'), Kanu, Senga (Scott 60'), Osorio, Camara (Vickers 78'), Akande, Ehibhatiomhan (Clarke 60').
Subs not used: Kowalczyk.
