Cardiff City seal Nathaniel MG Cup quarter-final spot with hard-fought 2-1 victory against Merthyr Town
CARDIFF, WALES - 17 SEPTEMBER 2024: Cardiff City Trey George during round 3 of the 2024/25 Nathaniel MG Cup fixture between Cardiff City FC & Merthyr Town FC at Cardiff International Sports Stadium, Cardiff, Wales (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
Cardiff City under 21’s booked their place in the last eight of the Nathaniel MG Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 home win against Merthyr Town.
Two second-half goals from forward Michael Reindorf gave The young Bluebirds a two goal lead before a late strike from Merthyr defender Noah Smerdon halved the deficit for the visitors.
The hosts held on as they remain the only wildcard entry still involved in the competition with Newport County, Swansea City and Merthyr now knocked out.
They could now face either Barry Town United, Cardiff Met or Penybont in the next round with all three Cymru Premier sides picking up wins on Tuesday night.
The full time outfit were expectantly well structured as they looked to control possession and break down the tough Merthyr defence.
Goalkeeper Jaimie Cogman was tested multiple times in the opening half being forced into some strong saves from close range before doing well to tip over a long range strike from Cody Twose.
Despite a flurry of efforts on goal The Bluebirds were unable to break the deadlock as both sides went in at the break still goalless.
The Martyrs had their strongest period of the game in the opening five minutes of the second half as they looked to apply their own pressure on the opposition defence.
After some good build up play in the area from Merthyr the ball fell kindly to Cole Jarvis to strike at goal from a tight angle but he was denied by Matthew Turner in net.
They came close again not long after as tricky winger Lewys Twamley burst into the area on the counter attack before stabbing an effort just wide of goal.
They were made to rue their missed opportunities as moments later they found themselves behind.
Cardiff springing a counter attack of their own finished off by Michael Reindorf with a powerful strike through the gloves of Cogman in the 52nd minute.
As the clock ticked towards the 89th minute substitute Will Spiers slipped through Trey George who lofted the ball over the keeper. With the ball bouncing towards an empty net Reindorf made sure of the goal prodding home his second of the night.
The away side continued to push into added time and managed to pull a goal back thanks to a close range effort from Noah Smerdon, who struck beyond Turner from close range following a well worked corner.
It was too little too late however as Darren Purse’s side held on for the victory and booked their place in the next stage of the competition.
Cardiff City
Matthew Turner (GK), Ronan Kpakio, Thomas Davies, Cody Twose (Mannie Barton 90+4′), Luey Giles, Freddie Cook (C), Isaac Jefferies, Dakarai Mafico, Michael Reindorf, Trey George, Tanatswa Nyakuhwa (Will Spiers 52).
Goals: Michael Reindorf 52′ 89′
Yellow cards: Dakarai Mafico 12′ Ronan Kpakio 90+4′
Merthyr Town
Jaimie Cogman (GK), Tom Handley (C), Jay Williams, Noah Smerdon, Callum Ryan-Phillips, Alex John, Cole Jarvis (Kobi Preston Watkins 82′), Fazer Thomas, Kian Davies (Charlie Caswell 60′), Kane Simpson (Jayden Bourne 82′), Lewys Twamley (Korey Hughes 82′).
Goals: Noah Smerdon 90+1′
Yellow cards: Frazer Thomas 90+2′
