U23 Match Report | Cardiff City 1-3 Bristol City
Cardiff City's U23 side fell to a 3-1 defeat at home against Bristol City on Tuesday afternoon.
The visitors went ahead early in the first half through Tommy Conway, with Nahki Wells doubling the lead with a penalty-kick just after the interval.
City were given the first major chance of the afternoon, when following a positive attacking start, James Crole won his side a penalty-kick, having been brought down inside the area with 12 minutes played.
Stepping up to kick from the spot, Sam Bowen's effort was saved by Harvey Wiles-Richards, with the subsequent rebounded effort also being saved by the 'keeper.
Minutes later, the visitors took the lead at the other end of the pitch, as Conway latched onto the ball after Rohan Luthra lost possession under pressure inside the area.
The Bluebirds battled for the remainder of the half, but were unable to make the desired impact and find a swift equalising goal.
After the interval, Bristol City doubled the lead through Wells, whose own penalty-kick was placed beyond the reach of Luthra, who went the right way for the senior striker's effort on goal.
Jack Leahy got the hosts on the scoreboard with a well-taken effort just past the hour mark, diverting well from Ryan Kavanagh's driven cross into the area. The forward had made a terrific run towards the far post, and was left unmarked to finish, with only the 'keeper to beat.
Before the Bluebirds could mount another attempt at scoring, however, Wells restored the two-goal lead, taking advantage of a loose ball to dispatch his effort home for his second of the afternoon.
Despite a spirited home performance on Tuesday afternoon, City were defeated by the Robins, and now look towards their next fixture against Watford on March 11th.
U23 FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 1-3 BRISTOL CITY
Cardiff City: Luthra, Semenyo, Davies, D'Almeida, Bakare (Macnamara 83'), Jones, Jefferies (Wigley 62'), Bowen, Crole, Kavanagh (Colwill 87'), Leahy. Subs not used: Turner, Kenniford.
Bristol City: Wiles-Richards, Wood (Thomas 83'), Taylor-Clarke, Owers, Towler (Bell 41'), Idehen, Taylor, Kadji, Wells, Conway, Soady. Subs not used: Smith, Holdn, Henry.
Following the final whistle, U23s Manager Darren Purse spoke to cardiffcityfc.co.uk to discuss the result:
"It was a game defined by mistakes," began Darren. "We started the game really well, and missed a penalty which perhaps put us on the back foot.
"We can't make mistakes like those that we've made, and unfortunately some individual errors are something that you can't coach.
"The toughest thing to take for me is that I think that the performance itself warranted at least a point earned, but the boys will learn from it overall, I'm sure.
"There were some really good performances in there from us. It was good to have Sam Bowen back with us, and he worked really well in addition to the three in midfield, as well as James Crole up top too."
"The important thing now is that the boys look at the performance and take ownership of it."
