U21 Match Report | Cardiff City 2-1 Peterborough United
Cardiff City’s U21 side began their PDL campaign opener with an impressive victory over the Posh on Tuesday afternoon.
Joel Colwill got the young Bluebirds off to the perfect start with only 90 seconds played when he struck home from close range, before Eli King doubled the lead with a terrific left-footed strike just past the quarter hour mark.
Darren Purse named a starting eleven which featured newcomers Cameron Antwi and Xavier Benjamin, with Ollie Tanner, Joel Bagan and King also bolstering the side.
City’s high press paid off nearly immediately in the first half, with Colwill’s opener being set up by Cian Ashford. Passing well up the pitch, the midfielder did well to control his shot and beat ‘keeper Matthew Laycock.
Tanner nearly doubled the lead minutes later, but his strike from the edge of the area went high following some good defensive pressure on the forward. A second goal did soon follow through King, as the midfielder was given enough space to pick out his shot from 20 yards, which flew in at the bottom right corner.
Jack Leahy came close on two occasions to netting to add a City third, but his efforts weren’t quite able to find the mark, as he paired well with Colwill in attack. Growing in confidence as the match wore on, the visitors came up with a few half-chances before the interval, but City restricted their opponents well and went in 2-0 up at half-time.
Rohan Luthra was called upon early in the second half as the Posh looked to make an impact. Reading the passage of play well, the ‘keeper was quick to rush and challenge the visitors, diving to intercept a low cross before also seeing off Lewis Darlington’s effort in a one-on-one, collecting before the striker could net on the rebound.
With Peterborough pushing more as the second half progressed, they eventually found a goal with five minutes remaining. Gabe Overton was fortunate to see his blocked shot land kindly once again at his feet, and dispatched his shot powerfully at the second time of asking on the edge of the six yard box.
The Bluebirds managed the game well in the closing stages, determined not to concede another and give up their well-earned three points. A well-fought start to the campaign resulted in City’s first victory of the 2022/23 season.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 2-1 PETERBOROUGH UNITED
Cardiff City: Luthra, Semenyo, Bagan, Trialist (Kenniford 90'), Benjamin, Antwi, King, J. Colwill (Conte 58'), Ashford, Leahy (Davies 86'), Tanner (Hughes 58'). Subs not used: Dennis.
Following the final whistle, U21s Manager Darren Purse discussed the result:
“I’m happy with the win, but not happy with the second half performance at all,” began Darren. “I said in the first 10 or 15 minutes to start bright and to be lively, to put themselves on top, and we did getting the goals early on, but then we took our feet off the pedal a bit.
“We’re all about learning with the lads, and they’ve started the game really well, but I think that the consistency levels across the 90 minutes were lacking.
“We weren’t as quick on the ball as we had been in pre-season, which is the disappointing thing from the match, but the three points is the most important thing, so it’s a good start to the season.”
