Key talking points from Cardiff’s cruising victory over Taffs Well
Cardiff, Wales, UK. 11th Dec, 2020. Cardiff City v Taffs Well at USW Sports Park in the Nathanial MG Cup on the 11th December 2020 Credit: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD
Cardiff City’s youngsters eased past managerless Taffs Well in an assuring victory at the USW Sports Park to progress in the Nathaniel MG Cup.
Strikes from either side of the interval from Kieron Evans and Isaak Davies saw the Bluebirds win in their League Cup debut.
Here are a few key talking points from Friday’s encounter:
Rubin Colwill is a name to look out for
Although the eighteen year old didn’t engrave his young name on the scoresheet, Cardiff City prospect Rubin Colwill hugely impressed throughout the evening for the Bluebirds. A tall, imposing midfielder with a keen eye for a pass, Colwill was able to do it all.
The City playmaker dispatched a series of perfectionist passes to cause the Taffs Well backline a host of problems, whilst also showcasing his industry in the middle of the park through his terrific ability to shield the ball and regain possession. A mirror image of Bluebirds stalwart Joe Ralls, young Rubin Colwill is certainly someone to keep an eye on.
The benefits that Cardiff’s registration in the Nathaniel MG Cup serves to the club
A competition which Bluebirds head coach Neil Harris worked tirelessly to allow his side to compete in, the Nathaniel MG Cup provides an experimental outlet for the South Wales outfit. Now, Harris possesses the luxury to embed some of the youngsters to the rigours of senior football, an area where a lot of young footballers in the Welsh Capital lack experience in.
Given his publicised wishes to bridge the gap between the academy and the first team, this can only be a good thing for the Championship side as key development is facilitated by affording the prospects a chance to taste men’s football. A terrific touch which will undoubtedly aid progression as the youthful Bluebirds look to show what they’re all about in this season’s competition.
The wing wizard
A name held in high regard in this corner of the world, Bluebirds prospect Kieron Evans shone on Friday evening. Evans, who fired the hosts into the lead just before the interval, was a tricky customer all night long as he terrorised the Taffs Well backline with his speed and trickery.
The diminutive wide man, who made the bench in Cardiff’s Carabao Cup defeat at Northampton, will be looking to embrace more opportunities in the first team as the season progresses. If the youthful Welshman continues to perform in this vein, he may well be afforded such openings before long.
The brave, battling spirit from the young Bluebirds
Even though Steve Morison’s youthful side cruised into the next round of the Nathaniel MG Cup, they still needed to dig in. By all accounts, it was a pleasing victory as Cardiff combined creative class with fighting spirt against their opponents.
The whole team played their part in winning second balls, coming on top in their duels and doing the hard yards out of possession to ensure that they secured a valiant victory at the USW Sports Park. Collectively, it was an extremely well-organised performance by the young guns, who will need to put in displays of that calibre if they wish to ascend the Professional Development League Two table, of which they currently sit rock bottom with only one win to their name all season.
City’s fearsome frontline
Given the license to weave their wands high up the pitch due to the excellent work by Cardiff’s midfield three, the Bluebirds’ brilliant attack caused the Wellmen a plethora of problems all evening. Orchestrated by Isaak Davies, Roland Idowu and Kieron Evans, it was a real joy to see the hosts attack with such fluidity.
Individually, each attacker displayed different strengths; whilst Idowu used his physical presence to hold off defenders and free up space, Davies and Evans utilised their speed to get in behind and subdue the vulnerable visitors to a long evening, both also registering their names on the scoresheet. With all three players currently being held in high regard down at Leckwith, it will be interesting to observe how they progress in the future.
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
