Siya Shines For Young Bluebirds In Pre-Season Clash

Under-18 football: Cardiff City 1, AFC Bournemouth 2

Fast and silky raider Siyabonga Ligendza caught the eye for Cardiff City during their under-18 pre-season match against AFC Bournemouth at Cardiff International Sports Stadium.

Wales junior international Ligendza, who played for Talycopa AFC in Trallwn, Swansea, before joining the Bluebirds is gaining a reputation as a player with potential.

It was Ligendza who sent up Cardiff’s goal, delivering an inch-perfect cross for Rubin Colwill to scored after four minutes.

Cardiff played plenty of flowing football on a hot and sunny day and really should have scored more then one goal, but too often their final ball into the penalty area or their finishing let them down.

The Bluebirds used 18 players in total, while Ryan Kavanagh went off at half-time and then returned just before the hour mark.

Tom Chiabin, pictured when he signed for Cardiff City.

Rhys Schwank fired against a post for Cardiff after 71 minutes, while goalkeeper Bradley Stewart made a brilliant double save to derby the Cherries.

Stewart played until 20 minutes from the end before going off with Wales junior international Ben Coley taking over in goal.

Christian Saydee equalised for Bournemouth with 12 minutes gone, while Luke Pardoe smashed home the winning goal with two minutes left.

That was harsh on City, but it had been a competitive, hard-fought match and the home team were punished for not finishing off their good football with a decisive cross or a clinical finish.

Kieron Evans shone for Cardiff, while Tom Chiabi went close with a curling effort.

This was a first defeat in three matches for City’s under-18 team. They won 3-1 Radomjie’s under-19 team in Slovenia Xenia and 6-4 at Leicester.

Joel Bagan, Ligendza and Evans scored in Slovania, while Evans (2), Isaak Davies, Ligendza, Cian Ashford and a Leicester own goal made up their tally in the second fixture.

Cardiff City (v Bournemouth): Bradley Stewart (Ben Coley 69), Taylor Jones, Owen Pritchard (Jack Masrani 46), Sam Parsons (Aidan McNamara 74), Harry Pinchard, Ryan Kavanagh (Tom Chiabi 46), Siyabonga Ligendza (Joshua Rippon 75), Rubin Colwill (Cian Ashford 75), Isaak Davies (Ryan Kavanagh 58), Kieron Evans (James Crole 75), Caleb Hughes (Rhys Schwank 46). Subs: All used.