Cardiff City are aiming to line-up a revenge mission against Millwall in an FA Youth Cup tie this evening.
The young Bluebirds play AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in Dorset (7pm) – and the winners will play Millwall at home in the last 16.
The Lions stand top of Professional Under-18 Development League South and won 3-2 at Cardiff City on Saturday.
Coach Matthew Bloxham’s team led 2-1 at half-time before Millwall snatched the away win thanks to an injury time goal by Tyrese Briscoe.
Bournemouth’s under-18 team play in the EFL Youth Alliance South West and clinched the title thanks to a 9-1 win against Portsmouth last time out.
The Cherries edged past Barnet 4-3 in the FA Youth Cup third round thanks to goals from Christian Saydee (2), Harvey Bertrand and Luke Pardoe.
🏆 The young #Bluebirds head to Vitality Stadium tonight in the #FAYouthCup 4️⃣th Round!
Match Preview 👉 https://t.co/QzmhioC9Nn#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/L59GyKPAjA
— Cardiff City Academy (@CF11Academy) January 14, 2020
Former Bournemouth player Alan Connell, aged 36, is in charge of their youth team and he says: “We have a great opportunity against a really good Cardiff side to show that we have some good players.”
“We were a little shell-shocked after conceding three goals in eight minutes against Barnet, but the boys responded from that really well and we saw the game out quite comfortably.
“We learned from that and in the long term they, and we, will be better for that experience.”
Cardiff defeated Ipswich Town 2-1 after extra time in their FA Youth Cup third round tie.
Tickets are priced at £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and u-21s, £1 for Wheelchair Users.
Cardiff City u-18, from: Jamie Cogman (gk), Nativ Yanko (gk), Owen Pritchard, Joel Bagan, Sam Parsons, Taylor Jones, Harry Pinchard, Ryan Kavanagh, Josh Rippon, James Crole, Tom Chiabi, Siyabonga Ligendza, Ntazana Mayembe, Rubin Colwill, Kieron Evans, Eli King.
Dates for FA Youth Cup fifth round ties have been announced and they will take place on Sunday, February 8.
The draw does not feature defending champions Liverpool after they were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 in the third round.
Spurs themselves were then defeated 2-0 by Wigan in the fourth round, while last seasons beaten finalists Manchester City will face Aston Villa for a fifth round tie against Sheffield United or Fulham.
FA Youth Cupo fifth round draw
1 Mansfield Town or Burnley v West Bromwich Albion
2 AFC Bournemouth or Cardiff City v Millwall
3 Blackburn Rovers v Oxford United or Preston North End or Charlton Athletic
4 Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion
5 Manchester City or Aston Villa v Sheffield United or Fulham
6 Wigan Athletic v Birmingham City or Barnsley
7 Chelsea or Bradford City v Wolverhampton Wanderers or Crystal Palace
8 Norwich City or Manchester United v Leeds United
— Mark Harris (@sparkyharris11) January 14, 2020
Professional Under-23 Development League
Cardiff City (u-23) 2, Colchester United (u-23) 1
Wales under-21 international Mark Harris announced his return to Cardiff City by scoring twice for the Bluebirds’ development team.
Harris, aged 21, was on loan at National League Wrexham for the first half of this season, but returned this month and is ready to impress manager Neil Harris.
‘Sparky’ fired both City goals in their home win against Colchester United at the Cardiff International Sports Arena.
Harris led the attack and gave Colchester defenders problems throughout the 90 minutes.
He scored his first goal after 17 minutes, surging inside from the left and wriggling past defenders before firing across goal and just inside the far post.
That was a wonderful moment of skill from Harris and Cardiff almost made it 2-0 soon after when Shamar Moore forced U’s goalkeeper Callum Coulter into a big save.
Colchester tried to push forward, but Ryan Pryce and Laurence Wootton linked well defensively to win possession. Wootton’s long pass down the right and picked out Harris.
He cut inside a defender and went for goal. This time he aimed at the near post and the his shot flicked off the woodwork and into goal after 31 minutes.
Goalkeeper Matt Hall made a series of excellent second half saves when Colchester worked to regain a foothold in the game, while his composure around the penalty area and when he had the ball was good to see.
The visitors pulled a goal back when Nigerian striker Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, pounced on a loose ball inside Cardiff’s penalty area to slot home.
Colchester sensed they might snatch a point, but Cardiff held on comfortable with Jack Bodenham and Keenan Patten playing key roles.
Cardiff City u-23: Matt Hall, Laurence Wootton, Ryan Pryce, Tavio d’Almeida, Ben Margetson, Jack Bodenham, Dan Williams (Trystan Jones 63), Keenan Patten, Mark Harris, Sion Spence (Jacob Evans 66), Shamar Moore. Subs: Warren Burwood (gk), Tom Chiabi, Rubin Colwill.