Town’s U21s romped to a 5-1 victory over Cardiff City at Playford Road in their opening fixture of 2025, Rio Morgan netting twice, Tudor Mendel and Ash Boatswain (pen) once each and the other an own goal.

Morgan shot across the face in the opening seconds, but it wasn’t until the quarter of an hour mark when either side threatened again.

Town were already well in charge by that stage and Roberts struck an effort from the left of the box which slammed against the near post.

And in the 23rd minute, the Blues deservedly went in front. Steven Turner lofted a cross in from deep on the right and with the keeper in no man’s land, Northern Ireland U19 international Morgan nodded home unmarked.

Three minutes later, it was 2-0. Right-back Dan Babb got round the outside of his man using pace and power inside the box, cut back from the byline and the ball was diverted into the net off two Cardiff defenders.

Town maintained the pressure and on 28 Morgan shot over from just outside the area to the left.

On 36, Boatswain struck a low effort which Cardiff keeper Armstrong saved comfortably, Mendel having been stopped in his tracks as he dribbled into the area.

Two minutes later, Mendel hit a 25-yard shot which Armstrong palmed into the air then claimed.

Moments later, there was almost another own goal, Mendel playing in Babb to his right and a Cardiff defender turning it goalwards but straight to Armstrong.

The Bluebirds hadn’t seriously threatened all half but in the 39th minute they pulled a goal back, Mannie Barton lifting the ball over the advancing Woody Williamson from the right but with a hint of offside about the through ball.

That was the last action of the half, the Blues having been much the better side against a younger Cardiff team.

And five minutes after the restart, Town increased their lead, Boatswain nodding down inside the area and Mendel finishing.

On 52, keeper Armstrong saved from Boatswain and Morgan’s follow-up was blocked by the Cardiff number one.

Three minutes later, Mendel picked up a loose pass not far outside the Cardiff area but was forced wide by the keeper and hit the outside of the post from a tight angle.

On the hour, Mendel, putting in his best display since joining the Blues in the summer, shot over from inside the box from a ball in from the left.

In the 63rd minute, Mendel exchanged passes with Roberts on the right of the area, the former Anderlecht and Chelsea man hitting another shot from a tight angle which Armstrong blocked.

Two minutes later, Turner and Cardiff’s Lennon Talbot were both booked following a scuffle after Town forward Roberts had committed a foul.

Soon after the game restarted, the Blues added to their lead, Morgan shooting into the corner of the net from the edge of the area.

In the 69th minute, Armstrong saved well from Babb’s strike from distance but moments later Town made it 5-1 from the spot. Montserrat international Boatswain hit low into the corner of the net after Morgan, also putting in one of his liveliest displays of the season, had been fouled when through inside the area.

Town continued to look for goals, Morgan smashing a 30-yard free-kick into Armstrong’s hands.

In the 80th minute, Town made a triple change, swapping Morgan, Boatswain and Babb for Charlie Compton, Jamie Mauge and Leon Elliot.

With six minutes later on the clock, Ryan Carr, a solid presence in the centre of midfield along with Turner, looped a shot over from just outside the area.

In the 89th minute, Carr brought the ball from the edge of one box to the edge of the other before it ran loose to Compton, whose effort was blocked.

Seconds before the end, Roberts cut in from the left and hit a shot which beat Armstrong but which struck the bar and looped over.

A very comfortable victory for the U21s, who came close to scoring in the opening seconds and rarely let up from there with Mendel and Morgan on the flanks in particular causing the Bluebirds’ backline problems throughout.

Dominant Town could easily have netted even more, while Cardiff scored via their only serious shot of the match.

Town: Williamson, Babb (Elliot 80), Lewis, Mazionis (c), Onuchukwu, Carr, Mendel, Turner, Boatswain (Mauge 80), Roberts, Morgan (Compton 80). Unused: Fleischer, Heard.

Cardiff: Armstrong, Talbot, Thomas, Rees, Debond, Cook (c), Beecher, George, Johnson, Nyakuhwa, Barton. Subs: Williams, Thomas, Phelan, Edwards, Spiers.

Photo: Matchday Images

WeWereZombies added 15:02 - Jan 7 Is 5-1 a thrashing or is it just a comprehensive victory ? Whatever, well done the young 'uns.
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Woolfenthen added 16:12 - Jan 7 wonder if anyone has earnt themselves a spot on the bench for Sunday?
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Linkboy13 added 16:27 - Jan 7 The problem with the u21s league it's light years away from Premier league football and is bit of a non event why there is not a Premier league reserve division like there was way back when i don't know this would make it more competitive. At the moment it's just a step up for our youngsters who then go out on loan to local non league clubs. We tend to buy our promising young players from the likes of Chelsea because ours are not up to standard our academy is one area that needs attention.

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