Ely Rangers 1, Cardiff City 4
after extra time
Craig Bellamy’s young Bluebirds earned their place in the Welsh Youth Under-19 Cup second round, but they were made to work for success.
Cardiff City had to recover from a goal down against an Ely Rangers team who played with pace, aggression and discipline.
The Welsh League club are managed by former Cardiff Devils ice hockey forward Merv Priest, whose son, Seb, was outstanding in goal for Ely.
Danny Tavares, a skilful attacking player, also caught the eye for Rangers, who matched Bellamy’s boys for 108 minutes on a wet and windy night at Station Road, Wenvoe.
The decisive moment of the cup clash came three minutes into the second half of extra time when City substitute Henry Smith was fouled in the penalty area and Cameron Coxe scored from the resulting spot-kick.
Ely players had given everything in their defiant resistance, staying organised and decisive even when energy levels were falling.
Coxe (2) and James Waite (2) were the scorers for Cardiff after Nick Lai had put Ely in front.
More than 200 spectators were at the Wenvoe ground to watch a strong Bluebirds team launch their bid to win this competition for the first time since 2006.
Holders Swansea City, who have lifted the Welsh Youth Cup for seven successive seasons, have a bye into the last 32 along with the other semi-finals from 2016-17. They are Llandudno and Newport County plus Cambrian and Clydach
The majority of first round ties are scheduled to be played this Sunday (1.30pm) and the 28 winners will join those four clubs in the next stage.
There was a touch of fortune about Ely’s goal when Kenton Lammy’s free-kick hit Lai and deflected past goalkeeper George Ratcliffe after eight minutes.
Coxe made it 1-1 after flowing build-up play just after half-time, while it took Cardiff until the 108th minute to take the lead.
They netted three times in nine minutes with Coxe (penalty, 108), Waite (109) and Waite (118) making sure they moved into the last 32 of the competition.
The next test for manager Bellamy and his players is the Academy Under-18 fixture against Queens Park Rangers at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel on Saturday (Noon).
Cardiff City under-19: G Ratcliffe, C Davies, T Jones, C Young, J Bodenham, K Patten, C Coxe, S Bowen, I Davies, S Spence, J Waite. Subs: A Madden, W Burwood, H Smith, K Proctor, A Sharif.
Ely Rangers: S Priest, J Griffiths, L Angove, N Lai, I Clements, R Morgan, K Lammy, T Masenda, M Osman, D Tavares, J Woodruff. Subs: L Allen, L Bowen, J Peterson, M Edwards, H March.
Welsh Youth Cup first round ties (to be played this Sunday, 1.30pm): Penybont FA v Carmarthen Town, Brickfield Rangers v Airbus UK Broughton, Afan Lido v Ynysgerwyn, Prestatyn Town v Porthmadog, Aberystwyth Town v Ffostrasol Wanderers, Conwy Borough v Caernarfon Town, Port Talbot Town v Haverfordwest County, Bala Town v Bangor City, Llangynwyd Rangers v Briton Ferry Llansawel, Caerau Ely v Undy Athletic, Taffs Well v Merthyr Town, Risca United v Caerleon, Caldicot Town FC v Cardiff Academicals, Aberbargoed Buds v Villa Dino Christchurch, Llantwit Fardre v Barry Town United, Newtown v Brecon Northcote, STM Sports v Bridgend Street, Caersws v The New Saints, Cardiff Metropolitan v Ton Pentre, Llanfair United v Flint Town United, Monmouth Town v Aber Valley, Coedpoeth United v Cefn Druids, Pontardawe Town v Ammanford AFC, Connah’s Quay Nomads v Rhydymwyn, Garden Village v Llanelli, FC Nomads of Connah’s Quay v Holywell Town, Ely Rangers v Cardiff City, Rhyl v Llanberis (to be rearranged, postponed because of waterlogged pitch on Wednesday).