Nathaniel Shines For Under-23s In Severnside Derby

Cardiff City drew 1-1 against Bristol City in their under-23 Severnside derby match at Cardiff International Sports Campus.

The young Bluebirds, who had Cameron Coxe sent off in the closing minutes, missed a number of good chances to have the Professional Development League match.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who has regained fitness after three months out injured, played a second match in five days and came through 71 minutes with no problems.

The winger played well over an hour during the 2-0 win against Watford on Monday and took another big step towards fitness when he faced the Robins.

Mendez-Laing scored during the win against Watford and added another in this match.

It looks certain manager Neil Warnock will rest Mendez-Laing this weekend and he won’t be included in the squad at Everton. The players at Goodison Park had already left for Merseyside when the under-23 match started and two matches in five days after three months out injured will leave energy levels low.

Jazz Richards was the other first team over-age player included in Cardiff’s team, while Coxe, usually a right-back, ran out wearing the number nine shirt.

Australian centre-back Bailey Wright was in the Bristol City team.

Bluebirds. under-23 team coaches Jarred Harvey (left) and Andy Legg. Pic: Cardiff City.

Mendez-Laing looked sharp and lovely during the opening minutes, surging into the penalty area before his cross was blocked and then firing narrowly wide.

A shot by Coxe was saved, while at the other end Richards dispossessed Sam Bell with a beautifully timed tackle.

Cardiff went ahead after 18 minutes when Mendez-Laing whipped the ball low into the Robins’ penalty area and a defender, trying to clear, deflected the ball past his own goalkeeper.

Coxe fired wide from another Mendez-Laing cross and then a Tyrone Duffus header was saved by visiting ‘keeper Jojo Wollacott.

James Waite and Lloyd Humphries both went close and Bristol City were looking uncomfortable against steady pressure.

An injury to Duffus led to the midfield player being replaced by substitute Jake Evans, who smashed a fierce shot against the inside of a post. The ball flew across the face of Bristol City’s goal to safety.

Ciaron Brown (blue shirt). Pic: Cardiff City.

Centre-backs Ciaron Brown and Jack Bodenham again impressed, as they had against Watford earlier in the week, but the equaliser came with eight minutes left.

Marcus Day set up a chance for Tom Richards, who was left with a simply close-range finish with goalkeeper Matthew Hall helpless.

That finished the scoring, but Cardiff had Coxe dismissed on a straight red car for a late challenge on Barney Soady two minutes from time.

Cardiff City: Matthew Hall, Jazz Richards, Martin, Lloyd Humphries, Ciaron Brown, Jack Bodenham, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (Jamie Veale 71), Loic Damour, Cameron Coxe, James Waite, Tyrone Duffus (Jake Evans 45). Subs: Ryan Pryce, Warren Burwood (gk), Laurence Wootton. 

Bristol City: Jojo Wollacott, Chris Turner-Williams (Jayden Ali 46), Barney Soady, Jens Hegeler, Tom Harrison, Bailey Wright (Bradley Webb 85), Marcus Day, Joe Morrell, Ricardo Rees (Tom Richards 53), Sam Bell, Sam Pearson. Subs not used: Will Buse, Max Williams.