Report: Cardiff City Under-23s 2-2 Bristol City Under-23s

Second-half goals from Kel Akpobire and Antoine Semenyo saw the away side draw level in a highly contested match against the young Bluebirds.

City tried their best to play on the tricky surface with some nice interchanges early on and nearly took the lead through James Morton. He drifted through midfield and let fly from 25 yards, crashing his effort against the bar.

However, Luke Williams’ side fell behind early on in the first half, when Mark Harris burst through on goal. One-on-one with Jojo Wollacott he slotted the ball calmly beneath the onrushing goalkeeper.

City’s work was made harder when, five minutes from the end of the first half, Kyle Spence’s dangerous cross was deflected into the net to double the host’s lead.

City needed a spirited second half and came out raring to go. Tin Plavotic went close with a header but was deemed to have fouled the ‘keeper, before Kel Akpobire got City back in the game.

The ball bounced around the area before it fell to the forward who reacted quickest in the area. He prodded home from six yards to give City some hope.

Cardiff’s Mark Harris continued to cause trouble for City, but the away side weathered the pressure the Bluebirds threw at them with Morton having a terrific afternoon in midfield.

City continued to be patient and it was duly rewarded when the comeback was completed on 78 minutes. Antoine Semenyo received the ball in the area and finished neatly on the turn and beyond Ollie Byrne in the Cardiff goal.

Cardiff had the ball in the back of the net again moments later, but Mark Harris was comfortably offside as he rounded the keeper.

City Under-23s: Wollacott, Ali, Plavotic, Morton, Parsons, Harvey Smith, Zac Smith, Richards, Semenyo, Day, Akpobire. Subs not used: Harper, Sesay, Harry Smith. 

Report: Liam Potter