U18 Professional Development League 2
Team: Taylor, Skeete, Majesty, Street, Cuthbert, Tarbotton, Scarlett, trialist, Sanyaolu, Brunson, Neziri
Subs: Fittall, Sandiford, Boddy, Edouard-Marisson
On an overcast, blustery afternoon at the TSG Elite Training Centre it was the hosts who provided the first attempt on goal. The Rangers trialist’s strike from over 20-yards was parried behind by Danny Higgs.
At the other end, following a through ball to Hayden Allmark, the Cardiff No.10’s shot was kept out by the keeper’s legs.
The visitors could well have taken the lead after Kasey Taylor’s clearance was collected by Hayden Allmark, whose attempt then hit the upright.
For the R’s, Enis Neziri’s strike from just outside the box was comfortably held by Danny Higgs.
Good work by Charlie Street saw the Rangers No.4 move upfield, beating a couple of opponents as he went, before being fouled.
Around the half-hour mark, Kalen Brunson fired one at the keeper, whilst for the Bluebirds, Mannie Barton blazed his attempt over the bar a couple of minutes later.
Then, after Kasey Taylor had made a very good save, the ball went back in from the bye-line and was cleared in front of the goal, before going out for a throw-in.
Rangers went close just before the interval, when the trialist side-footed the ball just inches wide of the upright. Half-time: 0-0.
For the commencement of the second-half, Kalen Brunson changed his shirt from a No.10 to a No.16.
Kasey Taylor did well to grab the ball from Jack Sykes’ close range effort.
On 52 minutes, after being put through, Philip Sanyaolu’s attempt lacked power, and Danny Higgs was able to go down to hold the ball.
For the Bluebirds, Mannie Barton’s cross/shot was pushed away by the keeper, but a minute later the No.7 put them in front.
The away side doubled their lead courtesy of Lennon Talbot when he fired the ball into the top right-hand corner.
The first change saw Shaquille Sandiford coming on for Gabriel Cuthbert.
Joseff Edwards added a third with a free header from a corner.
Whilst Robert Tankiewicz made it 4-0, Kalen Brunson was clearly pulled down near the dugouts, but play still continued! Eventually Mr Faires called a halt and allowed for him to receive some attention.
Rangers still looked to reduce the deficit. Firstly, Enis Neziri’s shot went over the bar, which was followed by Leon Scarlett forcing a very good save from Danny Higgs.
However, it became five on 79 minutes after the ball was deflected off a Rangers player’s back.
Mannie Barton made it 6-0 three minutes or so later with a close-range shot.
With Harvey Boddy and Kemuel Edouard-Marrisson coming on earlier, the Rangers trialist’s departure left the home side down to ten men.
Substitute Riley Hilaire-Clarke scored Cardiff’s seventh goal in the closing stages.
Just before the final whistle, Philip Sanyaolu’s effort was held by the keeper after coming off his chest.
Steve Russell