Port Talbot Town F.C. v Cardiff City XI
Fri Aug 05, 2011 10:03 pm
Starting XI
Squad:
1. Jordan Santiago
2. Adedeji Oshilaja
3. Josh Powell
4. Joe Ralls
5. Alex Evans
6. Ben Nugent
7. Jesse Darko
8. Gavin Rae
9. Natanial Jarvis
10. Ibrahim Farah
11. Jordan Carter
Cardiff XI had an away tie against Port Talbot, although the Port Talbot Town were favourites for this game, they were aware Cardiff XI would be no pushovers. Port Talbot Town which start there season on the 13th August in Welsh Premier, have a squad which have played regular competitive football, compared to the young Cardiff Development team.
The only change from the regular Academy line out was Gavin Rae making an appearance in order to maintain fitness in search for a club
Port Talbot started the game looking very nervous, there was some mistakes in honesty and the Port Talbot team could have been deservedly punished however were holding on. With Cardiff XI continually placing pressure on the Port Talbot defence in the openning stages of the game, the Port Talbot keeper always looked comfortable and never really tested. The Cardiff full backs started pushing up into midfield and winning the battle in the air. Nice inter link play between Farah, Evans and Carter led to a wonderful shot which just wide of the post.
But it was only a matter of time till city find the net, when Port Talbot went on the offensive, and the backline pushed up to provide cover for the midfield, only to lose the ball to the Cardiff defence, which immediately went on the offensive. A lovely cross was met by Carter who headed into the net, within just five minutes of the game. The atmoshphere lit up, with 200-300 bluebird fans outsinging the home support. At that time, I was glad that the stupid trumpet by the Port Talbot fans wasnt being played anymore
Cardiff were hoping that this would spu them on and allow them to grab some more goals however this was not the case, and some poor play from Cardiff were allowing the Port Talbot forwards and risking the Cardiff lead. Port Talbot almost made one of these opportunties count however unfortunately for them found Santiago in superb form making a low save. Cardiff at this point were certainly not looking like a a team compared to the openning stages of the game. However, it was only a matter of time till Port Talbot equalised, when they caught the Cardiff defence napping, with roughly 25 minutes on the clock with a lovely shot on the bottom corner. The number 9 for Port Talbot, being the main player for them, who won everything in the air, and was too physical for the Cardiff youngsters.
With less than 10 minutes on the clock Port Talbot scored again, in closing stages it was all about Cardiff defending, and that they did, and Cardiff looked comfortable, with neither side looking to score before half time.
Half Time: 2-1 Port Talbot
After the restart, Cardiff caught the Port Talbot defence napping and forced a corner kick. Which, after a short goal mouth scramble, was forced away for a throwing. Cardiff mainly playing in the Port Talbot half started to dominate the game, creating chances after chances. Testing the goal keeper long range, and near post, but just missing that killer instinct. A lovely pass by Farah created a one on one chance with the keeper, only for the linesman rule Cardiff offside for the fifth time in the game, all of which were questionable.
With changes made in the second half, adam smith making an immediate impact scored a close range goal within the area and making it 2-2. Minutes later, the same player hitting the post. City continually piled pressure, where Jarvis even hit the post , it just didnt seem to be Cardiff's day.
With the final moments of the game, it did look like Cardiff could steal it, with another one on one chance with the keeper, only for the shot aimed directly at the keeper who made a comfortable save.
Full time score 2-2.
Squad:
1. Jordan Santiago
2. Adedeji Oshilaja
3. Josh Powell
4. Joe Ralls
5. Alex Evans
6. Ben Nugent
7. Jesse Darko
8. Gavin Rae
9. Natanial Jarvis
10. Ibrahim Farah
11. Jordan Carter
Cardiff XI had an away tie against Port Talbot, although the Port Talbot Town were favourites for this game, they were aware Cardiff XI would be no pushovers. Port Talbot Town which start there season on the 13th August in Welsh Premier, have a squad which have played regular competitive football, compared to the young Cardiff Development team.
The only change from the regular Academy line out was Gavin Rae making an appearance in order to maintain fitness in search for a club
Port Talbot started the game looking very nervous, there was some mistakes in honesty and the Port Talbot team could have been deservedly punished however were holding on. With Cardiff XI continually placing pressure on the Port Talbot defence in the openning stages of the game, the Port Talbot keeper always looked comfortable and never really tested. The Cardiff full backs started pushing up into midfield and winning the battle in the air. Nice inter link play between Farah, Evans and Carter led to a wonderful shot which just wide of the post.
But it was only a matter of time till city find the net, when Port Talbot went on the offensive, and the backline pushed up to provide cover for the midfield, only to lose the ball to the Cardiff defence, which immediately went on the offensive. A lovely cross was met by Carter who headed into the net, within just five minutes of the game. The atmoshphere lit up, with 200-300 bluebird fans outsinging the home support. At that time, I was glad that the stupid trumpet by the Port Talbot fans wasnt being played anymore
Cardiff were hoping that this would spu them on and allow them to grab some more goals however this was not the case, and some poor play from Cardiff were allowing the Port Talbot forwards and risking the Cardiff lead. Port Talbot almost made one of these opportunties count however unfortunately for them found Santiago in superb form making a low save. Cardiff at this point were certainly not looking like a a team compared to the openning stages of the game. However, it was only a matter of time till Port Talbot equalised, when they caught the Cardiff defence napping, with roughly 25 minutes on the clock with a lovely shot on the bottom corner. The number 9 for Port Talbot, being the main player for them, who won everything in the air, and was too physical for the Cardiff youngsters.
With less than 10 minutes on the clock Port Talbot scored again, in closing stages it was all about Cardiff defending, and that they did, and Cardiff looked comfortable, with neither side looking to score before half time.
Half Time: 2-1 Port Talbot
After the restart, Cardiff caught the Port Talbot defence napping and forced a corner kick. Which, after a short goal mouth scramble, was forced away for a throwing. Cardiff mainly playing in the Port Talbot half started to dominate the game, creating chances after chances. Testing the goal keeper long range, and near post, but just missing that killer instinct. A lovely pass by Farah created a one on one chance with the keeper, only for the linesman rule Cardiff offside for the fifth time in the game, all of which were questionable.
With changes made in the second half, adam smith making an immediate impact scored a close range goal within the area and making it 2-2. Minutes later, the same player hitting the post. City continually piled pressure, where Jarvis even hit the post , it just didnt seem to be Cardiff's day.
With the final moments of the game, it did look like Cardiff could steal it, with another one on one chance with the keeper, only for the shot aimed directly at the keeper who made a comfortable save.
Full time score 2-2.