U23 Report: Cardiff City 0-1 Birmingham City
Cardiff City's U23 side were narrowly defeated at home by Birmingham City on Monday afternoon, as they continued their 2019/20 PDL campaign.
The young Bluebirds' starting lineup was bolstered by the inclusion of senior First Team players Will Vaulks and Gary Madine, who added experience to the side throughout the encounter.
Madine had the first chance on goal of the match, striking well in the third minute of play from inside the area. However, his shot was tipped wide by Real Madrid loanee Moha Ramos.
End to end play ensued for the opening half hour of the fixture, with both sides eager to break the deadlock early on. Ciaron Brown made a terrific tackle deep in his own half, and City's midfield pressed hard to gain possession as the ball made its way up and down the pitch.
Jake Evans put in a great effort to dispossess a Blues defender deep in the visitors' half before crossing into the area, though Madine couldn't quite make contact with the well-weighted effort.
Blues had a goal disallowed with 23 minutes played, following a foul on Ben Margetson in the buildup to the ball being tucked away from inside the area.
Shamar Moore was quick to push the visitors back moments later, darting down the left flank with the ball in possession before striking just wide of his mark from a tight angle.
Will Vaulks took a shot from over 20 yards out two minutes later, once again testing Ramos by forcing the 'keeper to tip the ball over the bar.
Birmingham City took the lead with two minutes of the first half remaining. Jack Concannon was given the ball inside City's area and shot into the top corner, past the reach of Matt Hall.
Hall pulled off some fantastic saves in the opening minutes following the interval, denying the visitors the opportunity to double their lead on several occasions, providing a commanding presence inside his area.
The Bluebirds fought to equalise throughout the second half, with both wingers providing great opportunities from out wide in attack. One such opportunity arose as the match entered injury time, and though Ciaron Brown rose well to meet the cross in the middle of the six yard box, his headed effort went inches over the bar.
With the final whistle blown, the young Bluebirds had fallen to only their second home defeat of the 2019/20 season thus far. Next week the side will travel to face Bristol City as they continue their current league campaign.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY U23 0-1 BIRMINGHAM CITY U23
Cardiff City U23: Hall, Coxe, Bagan, d'Almeida (Sang 60'), Brown, Margetson (Pryce 66'), Evans, Vaulks, Madine, Wootton, Moore (Bowen 60'). Subs: Jones, Cogman.
Birmingham City U23: Ramos, Forrest, Burke, Stirk, Redmond, Roberts, Thompson-Sommers (Campbell 85'), Boyd-Munce, Andrews, Concannon, Fernandez. Subs: Baker, Bradley-Hurst, Reid.
