Crystal Palace’s development side put up a challenge against the Bluebirds in their final game of 2014 but left pointless after a second half goal brushed the Eagles aside.
Gary Issott named a youthful side at the Cardiff City Stadium on Monday evening against what was a strong Bluebirds side that featured former Eagles defender Danny Gabbidon who climbed up into joint 1st of the Professional Development League 2 table with this result.
Cardiff enjoyed the opening exchanges of the game with Eagles goalkeeper Chris Kettings, who joined the south London side on a free transfer in the Summer, being kept busy with Danny Johnson forcing the keeper to a couple of saves before the Bluebird’s best chance of the first half bringing the former Blackpool player down low to scoop a shot from Tom James away from goal.
The Eagles grew into the game and just after the 20 minute mark, Sonny Black had the visitors’ first attempt on goal which was comfortably matched by Cardiff keeper Ben Wilson after he drove his shot in low towards the corner of the goal. Palace’s chance creation continued after this with numerous attempts by both Morgan Ferrier who went close with a header and Jake Gray who managed to hit the outside of the post with his low shot.
Issot’s side continued with the momentum they had picked up after their first few chances on goal and those ambitions were matched shortly before half-time as Mandela Egbo went close to opening the goal scoring with a free-kick which he struck over the crossbar before Guido Burgstaller was the next player after Gray to hit the woodwork in added time, with a shot from an acute angle to goal.
There was much anticipation at the Cardiff City Stadium by those watching the game after the first half performances from both sides but the second half proved to be a much tighter affair with both sides looking to hold onto possession and break up into the attacking half when they could, it was Cardiff that only managed to make this work though as Danny Johnson broke the deadlock for the Bluebirds who slotted the ball past Kettings after substitute David Tutonda found the player.
Crystal Palace did attempt to force an equaliser with the closest chance in the second half at a breakthrough came from Gray who had hit the post in the first half as he hit a jaw-dropping shot from outside of the area, forcing Cardiff goalkeeper Wilson to parry the ball before collecting it at the second time of asking. Jacob Berkley-Agyepong nearly secured a point for Issot’s side in injury-time with an impressive shot that was equally met by Wilson who kept a well deserved clean sheet.
The development team face QPR next in the new year on 6th January 2015.
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