Under 23 fixture:
Barnsley 3, Cardiff City 1
Shamar Moore, Cardiff City’s fast and tricky centre-forward struck an early goal to fire their under-23 team ahead against Barnsley at the Oakwell training Complex.
The Bluebirds, though, could not build on their advantage and Barnsley hit back to win Professional Development League match 3-1 thanks to goals from Elliott Simoes (2) and Tommy Willard.
“We performed better in the second-half,” said Legg. “We changed the shape, looked much stronger, raised our game and had enough chances to be in the match.
“But we didn’t take them and that’s the difference.
“We were punished for our mistakes, didn’t put away our own chances and, ultimately, individual errors cost us again. We have to cut them out.
“The boys have got to work harder in training because if they don’t learn from their errors, the mistakes will keep happening. We’ll work on our game and hopefully improve fast.”
2 – GOAL! Moore finishes into the bottom corner from the spot. City lead. (0-1)#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/B95VJMacoU
— Cardiff City Academy (@CF11Academy) August 20, 2019
Centre-back Jack Bodenham was named captain for the first time this season and Legg said: “Jack is a great leader and was captain a few times last season before going out on loan to TNS. It’s good to see him back.”
Teenager Moore, who joined the Bluebirds from Reading, won a penalty during the first minute when he was brought down by 21-year-old goalkeeper Jack Walton inside the penalty area.
He confidently stepped up to convert his penalty, sending Walton the wrong way.
Barnsley soon hit back after seven minutes when Simoes fired home from 18 yards after excellent hold-up play by George Miller.
The hosts continued to look dangerous and were close to taking the lead when Willard curled a shot narrowly wide after a neat turn on the edge of the box.
Centre-back pairing Jasper Moon and on-trial Saul Shotton impressed at the heart of Barnsley’s defence, while new signing Clarke Oduor provided a solid shield in front of the back four.
With 19 minutes played, City forward James Waite then had his effort from the edge of the area saved by Walton.
The Reds went ahead just after the half hour mark when Jordan Barnett’s low cross was turned home by Willard from close range.
Six minutes before half-time Simoes scored his second of the game as he unleashed a thunderous drive from 25-yards that flew into the top corner, leaving visiting goalkeeper Warren Burwood stranded.
The second period was goalless despite a battling effort from the Bluebirds with Waite and Sion Spence both going close.
With 20 minutes left substitute Ben Margetson did superbly to put his body on the line and block Alex Wollerton’s vicious attempt from just outside the penalty area.
5⃣ minutes until kick-off at Oakwell Training Complex…
You can follow live updates here! #CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/UDoMubYvQy
— Cardiff City Academy (@CF11Academy) August 20, 2019
Cardiff City kept pushing for a second and Moore produced more brilliant play to find Waite inside the area after 81 minutes. The shot was impressively saved and two minutes later it was Waite again who sped into the area only to be denied by Walton.
Coach Andy Legg made four changes from the team who lost 3-1 at home to Sheffield United at home with Jac Davies, Sam Bowen, Ryan Reynolds and Danny Williams called up.
Cardiff are due to play Birmingham City next Monday, but that is likely to be postponed because it is a Bank Holiday.
Barnsley: Jack Walton, Harry Gogen (Sam Fielding 63), Jordan Barnett (capt), Jasper Moon, Saul Shotton, Clarke Oduor (Keaton Ward 73), Martin, Alex Wollerton, George Miller (Chris Sang 73), Elliott Simoes, Tommy Willard. Subs not used: Jake Greatorex (gk), Lambert.
Cardiff City: Warren Burwood, Cameron Coxe, Jac Davies (Jake Evans 73), Sam Bowen, Ryan Reynolds, Jack Bodenham (capt), Danny Williams (Ben Margetson 57), Laurence Wootton (William Warnock 89), Shamar Moore, James Waite, Sion Spence. Subs not used: Jamie Cogman (gk), Trystan Jones.
Cardiff City under-23
Professional Development League fixtures
Home fixtures played at Cardiff International Sports Campus or Cardiff City Stadium
August
Monday 12 v Cardiff City 1, Sheffield United 3
Tuesday 20 Barnsley 3, Cardiff City 1
Monday 26 Cardiff City v Birmingham City (7pm)
Friday 30 Nottingham Forest v Cardiff City (7pm)
September
Monday 9 Monday 16 Cardiff City v Bolton Wanderers (1pm)
Monday 16 Sheffield Wednesday v Cardiff City (1pm)
Monday 23 Coventry City v Cardiff City (1pm)
October
Monday 14 Cardiff City v Ipswich Town (1pm)
Monday 21 Colchester United v Cardiff City (1pm)
Monday 28 Cardiff City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
November
Monday 11 Bristol City v Cardiff City (1pm)
Monday 18 Cardiff City v Millwall (1pm)
Monday 25 Cardiff City v Charlton Athletic (1pm)
December
Monday 9 Watford v Cardiff City (1pm)
Monday 16 QPR v Cardiff City (1pm)
January
Monday 6 Cardiff City v Coventry City (1pm)
Monday 13 Cardiff City v Colchester United (1pm)
Monday 27 Crystal Palace v Cardiff City (1pm)
February
Monday 3 Millwall v Cardiff City (2pm)
Monday 10 Cardiff City v Bristol City (7pm)
Monday 17 Charlton Athletic v Cardiff City (1pm)
March
Monday 2 Cardiff City v Watford (1pm)
Monday 9 Ipswich Town v Cardiff City (1pm)
Monday 16 Cardiff City v QPR (1pm)
Monday 23 Leeds United v Cardiff City (1pm)
Monday 30 Cardiff City v Burnley (7pm)
April
Monday 6 Crewe Alex v Cardiff City (1pm)
Monday 20 Cardiff City v Hull City (7pm)
Monday 27 Wigan Athletic v Cardiff City (7pm)