Cardiff City 0, Coventry City 1
French striker Max Biamou earned the Sky Blues of Coventry a Professional Under-23 Development League away win at Cardiff International Sports Stadium.
The 29-year-old, who has made more than 50 first team appearances for Coventry, took his development league goals tally to eight for the season.
Biamou’s winner came after 73 minutes, but the result was harsh on a Bluebirds team who worked hard and created chances.
Coach Tom Ramasut made six changes to his starting line-up and he included Mark Harris, who has returned from a loan spell at Vanarama National League Wrexham.
’Sparky’ Harris joined Wrexham last summer and he scored three goals in 28 appearances. The initial loan was due to last the whole season, but the Dragons have cut short his stay at the Racecourse.
Goalkeeper Joe Day and former Manchester United youth player Tom Sang were among the substitutes for the Bluebirds’ 2-2 Emirates were the other players called up.
Joel Bagan, Jake Evans and Kieron Evans were also called up, while Sam Bowen, the son of ex-Bluebirds playmaker Jason, was also on the bench against Carlisle and started for the development team.
Coventry had a chance to open the scoring after 11 minutes, but Biamou shot wide of Day’s goal from close range.
City responded strongly and a minute later the dangerous Sang fired low and just wide of the left-hand post from the edge of the area.
On the half-hour Bagan fired into the side netting and seven minutes later Laurence Wootton went close with a shot from 20 yards.
slotted astray of the left post from just outside the box.
Sang’s shot hit Coventry’s right-hand post after 64 minutes and three minutes later another effort from the same player flew over the bar.
The visitors went ahead after 73 minutes when Biamou headed into the corner and that sparked a spell of pressure from Cardiff.
Harris hit a post, while Coventry’s Jodi Jones had a chance to score and was denied by teenager Joel Bagan’s goalie clearance.
Cardiff City u-23: Joe Day, Laurence Wootton, Joel Bagan, Sam Bowen, Tristan Jones, Ben Margetson, Jake Evans (Danny Williams 69), Tavio Kouakou d’Almeida, Mark Harris, Tom Sang, Kieron Evans (Shamar Moore 78). Subs not used: Matthew Hall (gk), Sam Parsons, Eli King.
Coventry City u-23: Ben Wilson, Joe Newton, Declan Drysdale (capt), Jordon Thompson, Josh Pask, Jack Burroughs (Jonny Ngandu 90), Jordan Young, Jodi Jones, Charlie Wakefield, Gervane Kastaneer (Jordan Ponticelli 63), Max Biamou. Subs not used: Tom Billson (gk), Morgan Williams, Will Bapaga.
