Ben Margetson, the son of former Bluebirds and Wales goalkeeper Martyn, scored Cardiff City’s winner in their 1-0 Professional Development League under-18 win at Queens Park Rangers.
Coach Craig Bellamy’s young players are running into a crucial period of the season. They’ve earned four successive victories in all competitions and have two big cup ties coming up.
City have been drawn away against Hull City in the FA Youth Cup and they travel to Taffs Well in the Welsh Under-19 Cup.
Bellamy took his team to QPR’s Sipson Lane ground fun London for their fourth successive and Margetson’s winner kept Cardiff top of PDL South Division Two.
The 18-year-old scored after 25 minutes when he headed past goalkeeper Dan Middlehurst into the bottom left corner.
Cardiff produced a solid, all-round team display, but had Dan Griffiths sent off with three minutes left.
Ryan Reynolds, with a glancing header, and Dan Griffiths, whose shot was deflected wide, led City’s early charge, while the R’s had Nathaniel Carlyle and Nathaniel Orafu booked during those exchanges.
Margetson’s goal gave the Bluebirds the lead, while Isaak Davies had two shots blocked on the QPR line.
Cardiff continued to dominate with a Davies close range shot saved by Middlehurst, while George Ratcliffe, in goal for the visitors, had to have treatment on the pitch after a collision.
The best chance for Rangers came in the last 10 minutes when Carlyle’s shot flew wide, while Cardiff were reduced to 10 players in the closing stages when Griffiths was dismissed.
That didn’t stop City attacking and captain Sam Bowen raced clear of the home defence, but did not make the most of his opportunity.
Cardiff City: George Ratcliffe, Connor Davies, Ben Margetson, Ryan Reynolds, Joel Bagan, Sam Bowen (capt), Jac Davies (Sam Parsons 65), Keenan Patten, Isaac Davies, Dan Griffiths, Kieron Evans. Subs: Jordan Duffey (gk), Trystan Jones, Sam Parsons, Eli King, Ryan Kavanagh.