Kieron Evans scored both Bluebirds’ goals in their 2-0 under-18 win against Leeds United in Yorkshire.
The attacking midfield player from Brithdir, New Tredegar first joined Cardiff City’s youth under-8 ranks almost a decade ago.
Evans, a pupil at Heolddu Comprehensive School in Bargoed, is on a two-year apprenticeship contract which runs through to the summer of 2020.
He took his under-18 goals tally to 13 for the season thanks to goals after 65 and 87 minutes.
The victory, a 16th of the season the young Bluebirds, kept Cardiff City four points clear at the top of Professional Under-18 Development League South, while Leeds are second in PDL North
Leeds created the first chance of the match and City goalkeeper George Ratcliffe saved from Henri Kumwenda after 12 minutes.
Connor Davies caused home defenders plenty of problems with his direct approach and almost broke the deadlock when he fired just over after 25 minutes.
Captain Keenan Patten was also prominent for Cardiff, who had the edge for long periods during the first half.
Leeds had Charlie Cresswell sent off with 44 minutes gone after he fouled Dan Griffiths when he ran clear on a counter-attack.
Evans netted City’s first goal after 65 minutes when he fired into the top left corner after Harry Pinchard picked him out with an accurate pass.
Cardiff clinched victory with their second goal when Evans was on target after Rubin Colwill’s smart lay-off inside Leeds’ penalty area.
The visitors continued to dominate against 10-man Leeds and a solid defensive effort from the Bluebirds’ back four ensured that they kept a well-earned clean sheet and earned all three points.
Leeds United: Joshua Rae, Dane Burlace, Joshvear Shergill (Joe Stanley 61), Nohan Kenneh, Charlie Cresswell, Oliver Casey, Theo Hudson (Jamie Thornton 77), Cole Gibbon, Henri Kumwenda, Jack Jenkins, Niall Huggins. Subs not used: Harry Christy (gk), Lucas Odunston, Nicklas Haugland.
Cardiff City: George Ratcliffe, Connor Davies (Rubin Colwill 54), Ben Margetson, Ryan Reynolds (Eli King 70), Sam Parsons, Keenan Patten (Capt), Ntazana Mayembe, Harry Pinchard, Ryan Kavanagh, Kieron Evans, Dan Griffiths (Siyabonga Ligendza 88). Subs not used: Jordan Duffey (gk), Taylor Jones.
Cardiff’s remaining Professional Development Under-18 League fixtures:
March
Saturday 23 v Bolton Wanderers (away, 11am)
Saturday 30 v Sheffield Wednesday (home at Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith, 11am)
April
Saturday 6 v Crewe Alexandra (away, 11am)
Saturday 13 v Burnley (home at Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith, 11am)
Cardiff City under-23 remaining fixtures:
March
Monday 25 v Crewe Alexandra (home, Cardiff International Sports Stadium, 1pm)
Friday 29 v Watford (away, at Maurice Rebak Stadium, 3pm)
April
Saturday 6 v Birmingham City (away, at the Autotech Stadium, Noon)
Monday 15 v Bolton Wanderers (home, Cardiff City Stadium, 7pm)
Young Bluebirds in Wales under-19 squad
Cardiff City have five players in the Wales under-19 team for their Uefa Championships elite round challenge later this month.
Goalkeeper George Ratcliffe, Ryan Reynolds, Sion Spence, Sam Bowen and Dan Griffiths are the young Bluebirds included.
Wales manager Paul Bodin says his players are ‘excited by the challenge’ in the Netherlands where they will face the Dutch hosts, Spain and Slovenia.
The squad are aiming to become the first ever men’s Welsh team to reach the finals of an intermediate tournament. Manager Bodin says: “Having gone this far our next aim is to try and qualify for the finals.
“Only the top team go through out of the group and with the standard of teams we’re up against it’s going to be tough, but we’re really looking forward to it.”
Wales squad: Adam Przybek (West Bromwich Albion), George Ratcliffe (Cardiff City), Ryan Reynolds (Cardiff City), Jay Foulston (Merthyr Town, on loan from Newport County), Pablo Martinez (West Bromwich Albion), Morgan Boyes (Liverpool), Neco Williams (Liverpool), Ryan Astley (Everton), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Brandon Cooper (Swansea City), Joe Adams (Bury), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest), Luke Jephcott (Plymouth Argyle), Christian Norton (Southampton), Jack Vale (Blackburn Rovers), Dylan Levitt (Manchester United), Ryan Stirk (Birmingham City), Sion Spence (Cardiff City), Sam Bowen (Cardiff City), Dan Griffiths (Cardiff City)
Euro Under-19 Championship Elite round fixtures for Wales:
March
Wednesday 20: Wales v Netherlands (Hardenberg, Holland, 6pm GMT)
Saturday 23: Spain v Wales (Hardenberg, noon GMT)
Tuesday 26: Slovenia v Wales (Assen, 6pm)
