Striker Jack Marriott (pictured) scored his fourth goal against Cardiff in three days but couldn’t prevent a young U21 side from falling to a 3-1 defeat to the Bluebirds at the Cardiff City Stadium this afternoon.
The home side were on top from the start with Slovenian international striker Etien Velikonja netting the opener from distance in the eighth minute.
Rhys Healey added the second after a corner in the 21st minute and Filip Kiss made it 3-0 when he stabbed Joe Mason’s deflected shot over the line from close range in the 39th minute.
Two minutes later Marriott, who scored a hat-trick as Town’s U18s beat the Bluebirds 4-2 on Saturday, pulled one back after Cardiff keeper Elliot Parrish had spilled a shot.
The young Blues, coached by ex-Bluebird Mark Kennedy, were more involved after the break but were unable to reduce the deficit.
Given the youth of the side - skipper Byron Lawrence and Cormac Burke were the only players involved with even the briefest of first team experience — the result was probably little shock against a more senior Cardiff team.
U21s: Crowe, Hammond, Sowunmi, Thorsteinsson, Leddy (Winter 46), Burke (Willbye 71), Berkane, Clarke, Lawrence, Marriott, Timlin (Bishop 67). Subs: Thompson, Robinson.