Cardiff Local Guide A guide to all Things Cardiff
Cardiff City’s Academy earned their place in the semi-finals of the FAW Youth Cup, defeating Cefn Druids 7-0 at Cardiff International Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The young Bluebirds were held back early on with the gale force winds causing both sides issues as they looked to build from defence – the breakthrough finally coming just after the half hour mark with Ben Watkins slotting home confidently after Tyler Roche had broken free down the left side to fire over a high quality cross.
This lead was increased within a minute as Eli Phipps continued his fine form in this season’s FAW Youth Cup, grabbing his eighth goal of the competition in fine fashion. The young forward combined well with fellow attacker Jake Watkins before firing the ball home off the underside of the crossbar to give City some breathing space in tough conditions.
The hosts added a third just before the half time whistle to take a commanding lead in at the interval – full-back David Tutonda breaking through down the left side, before lashing the ball home from an acute angle.
HALF TIME: CARDIFF CITY 3-0 CEFN DRUIDS
Kevin Nicholson’s side refused to rest on this lead following the restart, but could have conceded early in the half but for a brilliant save from keeper Liam Matthews. The ball cannoned off the crossbar, before Matthews performed a full length diving save to somehow keep out the rebound.
City added a fourth goal after fifty one minutes. Central defender Tom James had a strong game in defence alongside Tutonda, Ashley Baker and Brad Wickham throughout the match, and showcased his attacking abilities to beat his marker and fire past Sean Downes and into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty box.
The breath-taking winds at Cardiff International Sports Stadium worked in City’s favour on sixty six minutes with forward Phipps scoring his ninth of the tournament with a little help from the blustery conditions – Phipps’ curling drive nestling into the top right corner of Downes net.
The sixth goal came after eighty one minutes with forward Jake Watkins getting the goal his all-round performance deserved, slipping the ball past the onrushing Druids keeper after Phipps’ exquisite cross field ball had put the striker through on goal.
With four minutes left to play, City added a fortunate seventh goal as playmaker Will Taylor’s dangerous corner slipped through the grasp of Downes and into the net.
A late injury to Northern Irish U17 International Gary Lavery saw City finish the tie with just ten men to dampen the mood somewhat. Dick Bate and Kevin Nicholson though will be undoubtedly delighted with their team’s clinical performance in front of goal as they sealed a spot in the final four.
Lavery is being assessed at the time of publishing this report, with all at Cardiff City wishing him the best news possible after a nasty collision.
FULL TIME: CARDIFF CITY 7-0 CEFN DRUIDS
Cardiff City:Matthews, Wickham, Tutonda (Burridge, 80), Patten, Baker, James, Roche (Lavery, 67), B Watkins, J Watkins, Taylor, Phipps. Subs Not Used: Massaro, Southam, Noor.
Goals:B Watkins (31), Phipps (32, 66), Tutonda (45), James (51), Watkins (81) Taylor (86)
Cefn Druids:Downes, Edwards, Wear (Mills, 76), Neary, Hughes, Millington, A Williams, Pasco, Smith (J Williams), N Williams, Ford (Moffatt, 73). Subs Not Used: L Williams, Roberts.
