Cardiff City (u-18) 3, Ipswich Town (u-18) 0
Ntazana Mayembe (2) and Isaak Davies led Cardiff City to a resounding three-goal Professional under-18 Development League victory against Ipswich Town.
The two clubs now meet again in the FA Youth Cup third round at Cardiff City Stadium thius Saturday (December 14, 3pm).
Coach Matthew Bloxham and his young Bluebirds enter the competition at this stage, while Ipswich defeated Exeter City and King’s Lynn Town to reach this stage of the competition.
Tickets are available for just £3 per adult and £1 per concession. They can be purchased online now!
The Bluebirds are then at home against Crystal Palace in a PDL under-18 match on Saturday, December 14.
Cardiff City defeated Ipswich at Cardiff International Sports Stadium, scoring all three goals during the second half.
Bloxham made three changes from the last fixture with goalkeeper Bradley Stewart, Aidan MacNamara and Frazer Thomas called up to the starting line-up.
Stewart is a former AFC Bournemouth youth goalkeeper, while Cardiff-born McNamara is a Wales under-16 international.
Thomas is a technical and influential midfield player who is from Cynon Valley and has been playing out of the City Academy since he was eight-years-old.
City started strongly against Ipswich and went close to scoring after two minutes when Sam Parsons charged along the left flank, before delivering a low cross which was blocked and deflected on target. Goalkeeper Antoni Bort saved.
After the interval, City scored inside the opening minute. Isaak Davies made a scintillating run along the right wing and crossed low for Mayembe finished.
It only took seven more minutes for Cardiff to add a second. Mayembe became creator when he lofted a curling cross into the box and a determined Davies scrambled home.
The hosts almost added a third after 56 minutes when a header by defender and captain Sam Parsons travelled towards the right corner, but goalkeeper Bort threw himself to keep the ball out.
Then, on the hour mark, Harry Pinchard’s free-kick struck the outside of the right post.
With 66 minutes played the visitors had an opportunity pull a goal back, but Tyreece Simpson poked the ball past goalkeeper Stewart and hit a post before inexplicably missing the rebound.
The Bluebirds then scored their third with six minutes left. James Crole broke away along the left wing, before passing inside for the pacey Mayembe, who rounded Bort and scored with ease.
It was at outstanding second half display by the Bluebirds who left Ipswich Town down and out. Their task now is to repeat the feat when the teams meet in the FA Youth Cup this Saturday.
Cardiff City; Bradley Stewart, Owen Pritchard, Sam Parsons (capt), Taylor Jones, Aidan McNamara, Eli King, Isaak Davies (Cian Ashford 90), Tom Chiabi (Rubin Colwill 46), Ntzazana Mayembe, Harry Pinchard, Frazer Thomas (James Crole 62). Subs not used: Jack Clay, Jaimie Cogman (gk).
Ipswich Town U18: Bort, Stephenson, Clifford, Armin, Kabongolo, Alexander (Healy 72), Cutbush, Mesuria (Chirewa 65), Brown, Viral, Simpson (Bello 77). Subs not used: None
Professional Under-18 Development League
NORTH
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | D | P | |||
| 1 | Wigan | 15 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 47 | 22 | +25 | 35 | |||
| 2 | Sheffield Utd | 14 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 32 | 21 | +11 | 27 | |||
| 3 | Nottingham For | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 18 | +4 | 24 | |||
| 4 | Crewe Alex | 16 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 29 | 28 | +1 | 21 | |||
| 5 | Barnsley | 13 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 20 | 19 | +1 | 20 | |||
| 6 | Burnley | 14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 20 | 22 | -2 | 20 | |||
| 7 | Hull City | 15 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 23 | 31 | -8 | 17 | |||
| 8 | Sheffield Weds | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 19 | -3 | 15 | |||
| 9 | Birmingham | 14 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 20 | 36 | -16 | 13 | |||
| 10 | Leeds United | 15 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 30 | -9 | 11 | |||
| 11 | Bolton Wand | 14 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 24 | 44 | -20 | 10 | |||
SOUTH
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | D | P | |||
| 1 | Millwall | 14 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 44 | 14 | +30 | 31 | |||
| 2 | Bristol City | 15 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 36 | 20 | +16 | 30 | |||
| 3 | Charlton Ath | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 32 | 14 | +18 | 29 | |||
| 4 | Watford | 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 32 | 18 | +14 | 29 | |||
| 5 | Ipswich Town | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 29 | 25 | +4 | 22 | |||
| 6 | Crystal Palace | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 30 | 19 | +11 | 19 | |||
| 7 | Cardiff City | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 29 | 28 | +1 | 17 | |||
| 8 | Colchester Utd | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 25 | 47 | -22 | 12 | |||
| 9 | Coventry City | 16 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 15 | 47 | -32 | 12 | |||
| 10 | QPR | 14 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 17 | 41 | -24 | 8 |
