Bluebirds striker Ibrahim Meite went close to earning Cardiff City’s under-23 development team a dramatic win against Sheffield Wednesday in South Yorkshire.
The teams were locked at 1-1 at Middlewood training ground when the 22-year-old Meite went for goal from a free-kick 30 yards out and the ball cannoned off the bar.
Substitute Meite’s close call came after 85 minutes of a hard-fought Professional Development League match played this afternoon.
How has that not gone in? Joe West with his trademark whipped corner but Connor O'Grady can't quite bundle the ball over the line pic.twitter.com/FYpLQ7dzTM
— Sheffield Wednesday Youth (@WednesdayYouth) August 27, 2018
Londoner Meite, born in Roehampton to parents from Ivory Coast, is a promising young striker signed by Cardiff manager Neil Warnock from Harrow Borough a year ago.
He had a spell on loan at Crawley Town, scoring twice in 19 appearances, and is now back with the Bluebirds’ under-23 group.
Defender Ciaron Brown scored for City’s goal at Wednesday to put his team ahead, reacting first to score after two efforts were blocked.
Jamie Veale’s free-kick was parried by home goalkeeper Cameron McCulloch and Brown pounced on the loose ball. His first shot was blocked, but he would not be denied and forced the ball home after 22 minutes.
Cardiff’s Jack McKay cut the ball back for Jacob Evans and he went close to scoring their second, while Cardiff goalkeeper Matt Hall made a good save to deny Wednesday.
Paul McKay, Jack’s brother, headed narrowly wide as Cardiff pressed for a second goal, but they were rocked by a home equaliser during first half injury time.
Ciaran Brennan was the scorer and the teams went in at half-time with the score 1-1.
The young Bluebirds included 17-year-old forward London-born Greg Adinna, who is on trial from Barnet, among their substitutes and he went on after an hour.
Cardiff used three of their four substitutes available with back-up goalkeeper Warren Burwood the only unused player.
Cameron Coxe headed just over for Cardiff before Meite’s free-kick hit the bar.
The next match for Cardiff City’s under-23 team is against Leeds United at Cardiff International Sports Stadium on Monday, September 3 (2pm).
Sheffield Wednesday: Cameron McCulloch, Ciaran Brennan, Joe West, Alex Hunt (Josh Dawodu 60), Connor O’Grady (Liam Shaw 60), Liam Williams, Ben Hughes, Liam Waldock, Preslav Borukov, Conor Grant, Jordan Lonchar (Charles Hagan 75). Subs not used: Dan Wallis (gk), Isaac Rice.
Cardiff City: Matthew Hall, Ryan Pryce, Dan Martin, Paul McKay (Asri 90+3), Ciaron Brown (Ibrahim Meite 60), Jack Bodenham, Laurence Wootton, Jamie Veale, Jack McKay, Jacob Evans, Cameron Coxe (Greg Adinna 60). Sub not used: Warren Burwood (gk).