Lifelong City fan Paul Evans takes a look at the latest rough diamonds bursting through the Academy ranks.
Cardiff City were granted Academy status in 2004/05 and for the first time since then we now have a side that is in contention at the top of their league. City are currently in third position in the ten team league with twenty points from their ten matches – that puts them just a point behind Spurs and eight behind leaders Leicester who they face in their next home match on 14 November.
Last Saturday City leapfrogged above Coventry City Under 18s by beating them 3-1 at Treforest and the team that day contained virtually all of the regular starters from this season – here are a few words on those who started against Coventry;-
Jordan Santiago (age 18) – Canadian born keeper in his second season for our Under 18s and looks a far more assured and confident performer than he did last year. Has been well protected by his back four in the games I have seen, but has impressed when called into action – was an unused substitute in the League Cup match with Dagenham and Redbridge in August.
Kye Edwards (18) – Although mainly used as a central defender previously, he has been playing at right back at times this year and has done a good, solid job in his new position – another one who was on the bench without getting on for the Dagenham game.
Alex Evans (17) – Was a regular at centre half for the Under 18s last season when, by rights, he should have been turning out for the Under 16s – an Impressive central defender who has weighed in with three goals this season.
Stephen Last (18) – Regular starter at centreback this season and has formed a decent partnership with Evans. He was lucky to receive only a yellow card against Coventry though when he brought down an attacker who was in on goal with a great chance to level the match up at 2-2..
Jon Meades (17) – Has been converted into a left back this season after being used as a wide midfield player previously. His midfield roots show with his use of the ball – although he sometimes tries to play a bit too much football in wrong areas of the pitch, the quality of his distribution from the back is a definite plus point in the team. Another one who was an unused substitute against Dagenham, Meades captains the team if Aaron Wildig is not available.
Luke Cummings (18) – Right sided player who has been used in midfield recently after playing most of his football at City as a full back. Did very well in the 2-1 win over Reading last month, he also scored a hat trick in the 5-2 friendly win over Swindon last week.
Zac Evans (18) – Holding player who formed a very impressive central midfield trio with Wildig and Ibby Farah against Coventry. Was out injured for most of last season, but had already got experience of playing for the reserve team by then and was another of our youngsters who sat on the bench against Dagenham without featuring.
Aaron Wildig (17) – Captain of the team and the only player in the squad with playing experience for the first team in competitive football. Although he hasn’t made a big impact in his first team appearances yet, he is a very impressive performer at Under 18 level and has four goals to his name so far – will probably feature less and less at this level over the coming months given what Dave Jones was saying about him last week.
Ibby Farah (17) – Impressed as a holding midfielder last season, but is now being used in a more forward position where he is charged with making runs in support of the lone striker. Still shows an ability to be a true box to box player though as he does his bit defensively while chipping in with goals in each of the last two home games in the league.
Billy Taylor (18) – Made an impact when scoring for the first team in last year’s pre season game at Merthyr but has often been used as a substitute since then. Can play either wide right or wide left and, like many other wingers, tends to blow a bit hot and cold, but City’s best spell against Coventry came when his ability to take on and beat defenders was well to the fore.
Nat Jarvis (18) – Playing as a lone striker is hard work for a senior player, but it must be even tougher for a youngster yet Jarvis makes a good job of it most weeks. Has come on well this season and has six goals to his name – another unused sub in the Dagenham game.
Others who have featured this season include
Steffan Jones (17) – Although normally a centreback, has done a fine job recently when coming on as a sub to play as a target man type striker and has been rewarded with well taken goals against Reading and Coventry.
Mamadou Diallo (16) – A midfield player who has been a regular starter but was an unused sub against Coventry. Sometimes looks a bit lightweight but he has time on his side - I believe we picked him up after he was released by West Ham’s Academy.
Leigh Smith (17) – Can play up front, but has tended to be used as a left sided midfielder in a 4-5-1 system this year – has scored a couple of times this season.
The Under 18s play on Saturday mornings with kick off times tending to be either at 11 or 11.30 and have been playing at Treforest this season although my understanding is that they will be using the pitch at the Atheltics Stadium at Leckwith again when some issues with the pitch there have been resolved.
Admission to games is free and with the side winning matches this year whilst trying (and often succeeding) to play good football, the Academy team are well worth a look at if you find yourself at a loose end on a Saturday morning.
