U21 Match Report | Cardiff City 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Cardiff City's U21 side were held to a 1-1 draw at CCS on Tuesday afternoon.
In their first match back following the international break, early goals at either end saw City eventually forced to share the points, as the visitors defended well after their equaliser.
City's starting lineup was bolstered by the appearance of several First Team players, including Mark Harris, Isaak Davies and Tom Sang, with Rohan Luthra.
Davies opened the scoring for the Bluebirds with only five minutes played, as he latched onto a failed clearance inside the Owls' area before striking powerfully into the top right corner of the net, breaking the deadlock following a good early period of pressure from the hosts.
Seven minutes later, the visitors responded from a set-piece, as Jay Glover found himself in space inside the area before firing home to level the score quickly.
City had a majority of possession throughout the remainder of the first half, though their efforts weren't rewarded with a second goal. Pressing well when their opponents had the ball, the Bluebirds' best chance came with minutes remaining before the interval, as Davies did well to dispossess his man on the visitors' goal line.
Passing towards Cameron Antwi, the midfielder found Eli King, whose shot from the edge of the area flew off target.
Play resumed in the second half, and continued similarly with City having the majority of possession, forcing the Owls to attack on the counter when they were presented with the opportunity.
The hosts had two big chances in as many minutes near the hour mark, firstly when substitute Xavier Benjamin nearly connected with Antwi's shot to divert home, narrowly missing out on a good chance. Sang swung in a terrific cross moments later, but Mark Harris headed over from eight yards out.
City had one final chance in injury time, as James Crole did well to play Cian Ashford in on goal. However, his effort with his first touch was palmed away by the 'keeper, denying the young striker a late winner.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 1-1 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Cardiff City: Luthra, Sang, Bagan, Denham, Simpson, King, Harris, Antwi, I. Davies, J. Colwill, Peake. Subs: Dennis, Benjamin, Ashford, T. Jones, Crole.
Following the final whistle, U21s Manager Darren Purse discussed the result:
"We dominated possession but didn't move the ball anywhere near enough," Darren began. "We conceded a sloppy goal from a set-piece, and that's probably the game in a nutshell. We may have done enough to win it, but I don't think that we should have.
"We didn't have the killer edge in the final third, and that's where the difference between being a side that draws that game with one that wins it.
"It was good to get some of the boys back, including Joel Colwill and Taylor Jones. There are some positives to take from that, but we're all a bit disappointed with today and know what we need to put right."
