U21 Match Report | Cardiff City 3-0 Swansea City
Cardiff City's U21 side continued their unbeaten run with an impressive South Wales derby victory over the Swans on Tuesday afternoon.
Three goals of top quality proved the difference between the two sides, as James Crole, Cameron Antwi and Joel Colwill all got their names on the scoresheet.
The young Bluebirds started well and got themselves ahead to an early lead with only ten minutes played. Colwill picked out Antwi, who in turn found Crole inside the area for the forward to deftly finish into the top corner at the far post, put City on the front foot.
The Swans responded with an extended period of increasing pressure on the hosts, looking for an immediate response. However, 'keeper Jake Dennis more than held his own between the City sticks, and denied two quickfire chances, including a terrific diving save to deny Swansea City from a directly taken free-kick.
With City defending compactly between the backline and midfield, everyone had to contribute defensively when the visitors continued their press. Ryan Kavanagh made a smart tackle just past the half hour mark, avoiding sliding inside his own area to dispossess his man quickly before clearing to safety.
Having stood up to the challenge, City's next chance saw them double the lead, as Cameron Antwi scored from a direct free-kick. The midfielder took his shot from over 25 yards, and saw his effort cannon off the crossbar and over the goal line, with City later going into half-time two goals ahead.
The visitors started the second half looking more intent on scoring next, and for a good 10 minute spell were in control of the ball deep in City's half. The young Bluebirds committed themselves to their defensive task, however, and dutifully threw their bodies towards the ball to keep the threats away from goal.
Dennis once again put in important stops, while Cody Twose put in a good defensive effort to head clear from the goal line.
With Richard Faakye sent off for Swansea City in the final ten minutes, the visitors' control of play reduced as time wore on. Despite tiring legs, City looked to take advantage of their numerical superiority, and found their third and final goal of the encounter as the stopwatch reached the 90th minute.
Colwill found himself played down the right hand side and turned goalwards before unleashing a powerful shot that flew in at the top corner of the far post, putting the match well out of reach for our South Wales rivals. With the final whistle blown, City had secured three points along with a clean sheet from a deserved victory in Leckwith.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 3-0 SWANSEA CITY
Cardiff City: Dennis, Campbell, Giles, Benjamin, Fagan-Walcott, Kavanagh, Twose (Johnson 76'), Antwi, J. Colwill, Conte (Wigley 62'). Subs: Thomas, Spiers, Kenniford.
Swansea City: Mitchell, Jones, Mcfayden (Myers 62’), Bates, Lissah, Faakye, Congreve, Thomas, Fletcher, Smith, Wilson. Unused subs: Matthews, Davies, Veevers, Cadogan.
Following the final whistle, U21s Manager Darren Purse spoke to Cardiff City TV to discuss the result:
“First and foremost is the result," Darren began. "I’m usually quite big on the result not being the be-all-and-end-all, but when it’s the South Wales derby it has to be all about the result.
"There was a performance in there from all of the boys; in the first half in possession there were some really good bits. Backs to the wall stuff in the start of the second half, they had to put their bodies on the line, had to win their headers and get their blocks in, everything that they didn’t do last week at Charlton.
"I’m delighted with the clean sheet and delighted with the three goals, if you look at all three they’re really well-taken goals as well, so fair play to the boys for that. It’s just nice to see a little bit of camaraderie between the group."
Stay tuned for more from Darren - as well as full match highlights - on Cardiff City TV!
