Hull City 0, Cardiff City 1
Wrexham-born Dan Griffiths, an 18-year-old former Liverpool trainee, scored Cardiff City’s winner in their under-23 match against Hull City away.
Griffiths, who joined the Bluebirds last summer, has scored 23 goals in 20 under-18 fixtures and made his mark against Hull at the Roy West Centre immediately before half-time.
He struck when Joel Bagan went for goal with a powerful drive the home team failed to clear from a corner. Griffiths instinctively directed towards goal to make it 1-0 in the Professional Development Under-23 League and extended Cardiff’s unbeaten run to four matches.
Both teams made six changes to their starting line-up from the previous match.
Cardiff coach Jarred Harvey called up goalkeeper Warren Burwood, Laurence Wootton, Joel Bagan, Ben Margetson, Griffiths and Aaron Bolger.
Senior player Stuart O’Keefe was Cardiff captain with the over-age player adding solid experience in midfield.
Jon Beale, Hull’s under-23 coach, selected goalkeeper Harvey Cartwright, Callum Burton, Chams Faraji, Brandon Fleming, Danny Lupano, Max Sheaf and top scorer Keane Lewis-Potter after missing a defeat at QPR.
Hull started brightly and went close Ahmed Salam intercepted a wayward pass just outside the penalty area, but his shot was saved by ‘keeper Burwood.
Cardiff responded with a close free-kick attempt shortly before the half hour mark. Defender Bagan took the set-piece, but his curled drive from 20 yards flew narrowly wide of the far left post.
Griffiths goal put the young Bluebirds on top at half-time and the visitors pressed forward in the second half.
O’Keefe picked out the on-rushing Griffiths, who could only fire wide from close range.
Hull were desperate to salvage at least a point nine matches without a win and in the last 10 minutes two penalties were awarded.
The Bluebirds had a spot-kick after defender Lupano brought down Aaron Bolger and the Irishman jumped up to take the penalty. Bolger’s initial shot was saved by ‘keeper Harvey Cartwright with his rebound effort going wide.
Less than five minutes later Burwood brought down substitute Tom Powell. However, the young shot-stopper made up for his mistake with a brilliant save down his right to keep the Bluebirds ahead.
Cardiff saw out the final minutes to earn a third win in their last four matches.
Hull City: Harvey Cartwright, Chamas Faraji, Brandon Fleming, Max Sheaf, Danny Lupano, Lewis Ritson, Ahmed Salam, Billy Chadwick, Keane Lewis-Potter, Elliott Holmes (Dan Hawkins 75), Callum Smith (Tom Powell 75). Subs not used: David Robson, Josh Hesson, Jacob Greaves.
Cardiff City: Warren Burwood, Ryan Pryce, Laurence Wootton, Owen Wallis, Ben Margetson, Joel Bagan, Billy Stedman (Ryan Reynolds 88), Stuart O’Keefe, Dan Griffiths, Aaron Bolger, Danny Williams. Subs not used: Matt Hall, Rubin Colwill, Sam Parsons.
Cardiff City under-23 remaining fixtures:
March
Monday 25 v Crewe Alexandra (home, Cardiff International Sports Stadium, 1pm)
Friday 29 v Watford (away, at Maurice Rebak Stadium, 3pm)
April
Saturday 6 v Birmingham City (away, at the Autotech Stadium, Noon)
Monday 15 v Bolton Wanderers (home, Cardiff City Stadium, 7pm)