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[Steve Russell]

Report from the Cardiff site....

Cardiff City U18s were defeated by Queen's Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon
at Cardiff International Sports Campus.

Despite Tanatswa Nyakuhwa’s equaliser in the 45th minute following Jabari Christmas’ header,
Lorent Talla’s goal directly from a corner secured the victory for the visitors.

Nyakuhwa had the best chance of the early stages, weaving inside the box, before firing
just off target. City looked the bright inside the opening 20 minutes, dominating possession,
with Cole Fleming causing problems on right flank.

The Rangers found themselves a rare opportunity in the City box, when a scramble around
the penalty spot allowed Kieran Petrie to get a shot away, with his attempt creeping past the post.

In the 30th minute, the R’s took the lead through a free-kick on the edge of the Bluebirds box,
with Sam Sackey rattling the crossbar, only for Christmas to head home from close-range.

City reacted well to falling behind, as a long ball left Nyakuhwa with a chance at goal,
following a mix-up between the QPR defence and goalkeeper, Conor Clark recovered well
to make the save.

On the brink of half-time, the hosts found an equaliser, as Morgan Wigley’s cross allowed a
one-two between Lewys Ware and Nyakuhwa, whose low strike from outside the area raced
past the keeper to level the game.

Wigley later looked to continue his impressive form of late, latching onto a through ball
and rounding the goalkeeper, only for his effort to be cleared off the line.

The R’s had a great chance to take the regain the lead, as a half-cleared effort fell to Teddy Lawrence,
whose one-on-one effort was off target.

QPR found the breakthrough in the 79th minute, as Talla’s in-swinging corner found
its way into the City net. Despite the Bluebirds applying late pressure, the visitors
secured the victory.

FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 1–2 QUEEN'S PARK RANGERS

QPR: Clark, Siqueira, Leahy, Brown ©, Marino (McCann 45’), Manufor, Sackey,
Christmas, Lawrence, Talla, Petrie.

Subs not used: Zaperaczynski, Bouhiaoui.

Following the match, U18s Manager Steve Jenkins reflected on the performance:

"I thought first half we played really well," he began. "We moved the ball well,
switched it, created problems in the wide areas and went in at 1-1 with a fantastic goal
before half-time and I told the players I was really pleased.’’

"Second half, they came out with the momentum even though we had the goal and to be honest
we never really got going in the second half.