Cardiff City’s under-21s side beat Barnsley 3-1 at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, with the likes of Isaak Davies and Ebou Adams getting much-needed minutes under their belts.
It was also a big opportunity for Joel Bagan, Ollie Denham and Eli King. The three youngsters had a taste of first-team action under Steve Morison but have found themselves out in the cold under Sabri Lamouchi. With each of them out of contract in June, the game against the Tykes offered one of the few remaining chances this season to impress and earn a new deal.
A scrappy first half, which saw Barnsley miss a penalty, was overshadowed by a nasty-looking injury to Cameron Antwi. The midfielder went to challenge for a bouncing ball around the half-hour mark before his head met the high boot of Barnsley’s trialist, wearing No.5, who was trying to hook the ball away. The accidental collision left Antwi down for more than five minutes before he managed to hobble off with the support of his team-mates, a slightly more pleasing sight than what it would have been if a stretcher was used.
