Cardiff City’s U18s reached the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after a 3-2 home win over Chesterfield.
Within the opening five minutes, City had fashioned out two chances for themselves. Captain Jac Thomas saw his corner directly come off the crossbar, before Dakarai Mafico fired wide after a great burst through the midfield. The Bluebirds controlled possession and were on the front foot throughout the half. Harry Watts twice tested Tom Everest-Wilcock in the Chesterfield net, but twice the keeper denied City’s number eight.
However, Tom Hutton’s side did break the deadlock with five minutes of the half remaining. Mafico wriggled into some space down the left flank, and his lofted cross was met by the head of Dan Ola, who nodded the hosts in front heading into the break.
Chesterfield came out in the second half with more intent, and almost found themselves level twice through Theo Wainman’s corners, but keeper Sam Jones tipped one over the bar, before saving one onto the crossbar to preserve the lead. City capitalised on that just over the hour mark, as Thomas was fouled in the area, leading the referee to award a penalty. Up stepped Ola, who made no mistake from the spot.
The Spireites made a host of substitutions in the middle of the second half, and it was one of them who pulled a goal back, with Ashton Stringer finding the bottom corner. Yet, the two-goal lead was restored shortly after, with Mannie Barton converting from Jake Davies’ shot which had hit the post.
Yet, Chesterfield pulled one back once more. This time, it was Gunner Elliott who drove the ball out of Jones’ reach. With a second goal under their belt, Chesterfield set out to try and grab an equaliser, and thought they had it when Elliott launched an effort from range in the 95th minute, but the ball hit the side netting.
The referee blew for time just a handful of minutes after that, as City booked their place in the Fourth Round.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY U18 3-2 CHESTERFIELD U18
Cardiff City: Jones, Kpakio, Thomas ©, Debono, Parfitt (Reynolds 70’), Mafico (C. Williams 90’), Davies, Watts, Ola, Perrett, Barton. Subs not used: Rees, Higgs, N. Williams, Talbot, Phelan.
POST-MATCH | TOM HUTTON
After the full-time whistle, Tom Hutton said: “We’re delighted to win the game. It is a cup competition, and you want to go as far as you can. What the boys have given themselves now is another opportunity to learn from this game and try to put it into practice in the next round.
"From a performance perspective, we were dominant for large periods. They didn’t make it easy for us by sticking men behind the ball, and we had to be patient, but we eventually got that first goal and that does make things a little easier because you never want to be chasing the game. Half time comes at the wrong time for us, because we were on top and looking to get that second goal, and that gave them an opportunity to regroup and change things, which is what they did. We were a little sloppy with the ball in the second period, and that gave them a little bit of hope, and we surrendered control of the game.
“I’ve been really impressed with Dan [Ola]. I’ve known him since he was 11 years old and he’s always been a threat in and around the goal, and I’m delighted that he scored two tonight. He’ll tell you he probably should’ve scored me, which is something we’re working on with him, but Dan is a strong lad who uses that to his advantage. He’s been working hard, been in amongst the goals consistently this year, so I’m glad to see him score again.
“A cup run is really important for us. We’ve had a lot of boys playing U21s football, and this cup competition gives them a chance to play back in their own age group, and as a result the expectation on those players is greater. The competition does bring a lot of variety compared to the league format, there are consequences to results, and I’m really pleased the boys got through tonight, because the next round will give us an opportunity to be better.”
POST-MATCH | DAN OLA
After scoring a crucial brace, Dan Ola commented: “It was a good game. The boys showed a lot of resilience. Towards the end, I don’t think we expected to concede two goals, but we worked really hard to get the win. We’re always together as a team. Some of us have been playing together for ten years, so we really know each other, and we know we’re a hard-working team.
“It was the perfect ball in from Dak [Mafico], and as soon as I saw it up, I knew what I wanted to do. So, I picked a spot and thankfully I scored. For the second one, if you send the keeper the wrong way from a penalty, then you know you’ve got a very good chance of scoring.
“It was a good starting point here to get back to winning ways, and hopefully against Watford on Saturday, we can carry this confidence. Everyone has been looking forward to playing this game in recent weeks, so it’s good to finally get that win.”
Pre-Match
Ahead of the match, head coach Tom Hutton said: “It’s a game that everyone is looking forward to. The FA Youth Cup is always a special milestone for the lads, particularly in the scholarship because it’s always one that you’re looking to at this time of year. It’s one that we’re looking to perform as best as we can in.
“From the start of the season there has been vast improvement in the boys collectively and individually, which is a marker of success for us as an Academy.
“Tuesday will have all the ingredients to challenge the boys further, and hopefully we can show how well they can perform again.”
Defender Jac Thomas is also relishing the opportunity to perform in an important cup tie, adding:
“Being in this group excites me, we’ve got a great bunch of boys and we’ve all been looking forward to this since the start of the U18 programme.
"Every scholar looks forward to this, and with the squad that we have we all fancy our chances in this competition, so hopefully Tuesday night is the start of this.
“We can’t wait to get out there against Chesterfield, we just want to get out there now and play.”
TICKET INFORMATION
Entry for Tuesday night's match at Cardiff International Sports Campus are available to purchase here.
Tickets cost £4 for Adults and £1 for Concessions.
REACHING THE GROUND
Supporters planning on attending on Saturday should use the following address:
Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith Rd, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ.
The ground is located an 11-minute walk away from Ninian Park Station and a 32-minute walk from Cardiff Central Station.