REPORT: CARDIFF 1-2 BRISTOL CITY U18S
Tue 11 Mar 2008
Cardiff U-18's lose to Bristol City 2-1 in a tight contest at Trefforest.
It was a windy day at Trefforest when the game got underway and this limited the play to being at ground level as high balls would got lost in the unpredictable winds. The firct chance of the game fell to the visitors, Bristol City when their attacking midfielder hit a sweetly struck shot that went just past the right hand post.
Cardiff created a few half chances from free kicks and well placed through balls. But it was Bristol who created the next meaningfull chance. A long ball upfield found the Bristol winger whose fizzed cross-shot worried the Cardiff defence. However, the Bluebirds defence were able to clear.
The first goal of the game went to the visitors, when the Bristol midfielder turned and unleshed a shot which rocketed past Josh Magennis, in the Cardiff goal, and into the top hand corner. Cardiff, however, were starting to get a foothold in th game when an excellent passing move was only blocked by a last ditch tackle, with Rhys Kelleher waiting for a poachers goal.
But as soon as the started to play how they wanted to, Bristol doubled their lead when the Bristol player showed excellent pace to get past the Cardiff defenders and slotted the ball cooly past Magennis and into the bottom left hand corner.
Towards the end of the second half, Cardiff started creating more chances. Young striker Nathaniel Jarvis, showed great energy and only a combination of the Bristol goalie and a defender kept it out of the net. Striker, Rafiq Kaeed was then also put through one-on-one with the keeper but his shot fell straight into the arms of the Bristol goalkeeper.
Half Time: Cardiff City 0-2 Bristol City
The half time team talk must have done the trick for Cardiff as barely a few minutes into the second half and Cardiff had halved the deficit. Rhys Kelleher was the goalscorer, in a goal which was right out of the top drawer. His long range shot whizzed into the top corner of the goal past a helpless Bristol goalkeeper.
Bristol then went straight down the other end and nearly restored their two goal advantage. The ball was played into the area and it fell to a Bristol man who had freed himself from his marker. However, his volley blazed over the bar when he really should have scored.
Bristol continued to press and were presented with another chance when a Cardiff free kick was sloppily given back to the visitors. The strong Bristol centre forward got his shot away but Magennius was up to the task with an excellent save low down to his left.
Later on in the game, Cardiff pushed for the equaliser and Nathaniel Jarvis had his own chance to level for the Bluebirds when he was put through by a Bristol defender. Although the young forward had plenty of time, he rushed his hot and his half volley ended up going over the bar. Goalscorer Rhys Kelleher also went on his own run in the search for the equaliser. The eventuall goal-bound shot was saved low down at the 'keepers near post and time ran out for Cardiff. It was hard on the Bluebirds as they easilly had enough of the game and enough chances to at least get something of the game.
Coach's Comments: Cardiff Academy Manager Neal Ardley
"It was frustrating today. We huffed and puffed but could not score and fitness levels have to be better from our point of view."
Man of the Match: Rhys Kelleher
The tricky player showed skill with his jinking runs and was a constant threat to the Bristol defence. He took his goal very well and could have had another if not for a fine save from the Bristol goalkeeper.
It was a windy day at Trefforest when the game got underway and this limited the play to being at ground level as high balls would got lost in the unpredictable winds. The firct chance of the game fell to the visitors, Bristol City when their attacking midfielder hit a sweetly struck shot that went just past the right hand post.
Cardiff created a few half chances from free kicks and well placed through balls. But it was Bristol who created the next meaningfull chance. A long ball upfield found the Bristol winger whose fizzed cross-shot worried the Cardiff defence. However, the Bluebirds defence were able to clear.
The first goal of the game went to the visitors, when the Bristol midfielder turned and unleshed a shot which rocketed past Josh Magennis, in the Cardiff goal, and into the top hand corner. Cardiff, however, were starting to get a foothold in th game when an excellent passing move was only blocked by a last ditch tackle, with Rhys Kelleher waiting for a poachers goal.
But as soon as the started to play how they wanted to, Bristol doubled their lead when the Bristol player showed excellent pace to get past the Cardiff defenders and slotted the ball cooly past Magennis and into the bottom left hand corner.
Towards the end of the second half, Cardiff started creating more chances. Young striker Nathaniel Jarvis, showed great energy and only a combination of the Bristol goalie and a defender kept it out of the net. Striker, Rafiq Kaeed was then also put through one-on-one with the keeper but his shot fell straight into the arms of the Bristol goalkeeper.
Half Time: Cardiff City 0-2 Bristol City
The half time team talk must have done the trick for Cardiff as barely a few minutes into the second half and Cardiff had halved the deficit. Rhys Kelleher was the goalscorer, in a goal which was right out of the top drawer. His long range shot whizzed into the top corner of the goal past a helpless Bristol goalkeeper.
Bristol then went straight down the other end and nearly restored their two goal advantage. The ball was played into the area and it fell to a Bristol man who had freed himself from his marker. However, his volley blazed over the bar when he really should have scored.
Bristol continued to press and were presented with another chance when a Cardiff free kick was sloppily given back to the visitors. The strong Bristol centre forward got his shot away but Magennius was up to the task with an excellent save low down to his left.
Later on in the game, Cardiff pushed for the equaliser and Nathaniel Jarvis had his own chance to level for the Bluebirds when he was put through by a Bristol defender. Although the young forward had plenty of time, he rushed his hot and his half volley ended up going over the bar. Goalscorer Rhys Kelleher also went on his own run in the search for the equaliser. The eventuall goal-bound shot was saved low down at the 'keepers near post and time ran out for Cardiff. It was hard on the Bluebirds as they easilly had enough of the game and enough chances to at least get something of the game.
Coach's Comments: Cardiff Academy Manager Neal Ardley
"It was frustrating today. We huffed and puffed but could not score and fitness levels have to be better from our point of view."
Man of the Match: Rhys Kelleher
The tricky player showed skill with his jinking runs and was a constant threat to the Bristol defence. He took his goal very well and could have had another if not for a fine save from the Bristol goalkeeper.
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