New Mexico United 1-1 Cardiff City: Omar Bogle enjoys slice of redemption in pre-season friendly
Friday 19th July 2019
The 25-year old came off the bench to curl home a superb freekick
Omar Bogle's sublime freekick spared Cardiff City's blushes as they were held to a 1-1 draw by New Mexico United in the second game of their pre-season tour of North America.
Bogle came off the bench to curl home midway through the second half, after Ken Akamatsu had previously given the hosts the lead after just two minutes.
The 25-year old's moment of magic lit up a contest that saw the Bluebirds struggle to get out of second gear in the opening exchanges, although they did create chances.
Bobby Reid tapped an effort onto the post, before Josh Murphy had a very strong penalty shout waved away, but it was ultimately forgotten man Bogle who produced the quality needed to make a breakthrough.
Fellow substitute Curtis Nelson could have won it late on, but could only divert his downward header onto the crossbar.
Having spent the last season-and-a-half out on loan, this will have felt like a small piece of redemption for the former Grimsby Town star, and will give his boss plenty to ponder, particularly within the context of a striker search that has become all the more pronounced in light of Kenneth Zohore's imminent departure.
Kenneth Zohore looks set to move on this summer (Image: Getty Images)
Indeed, the surprise high-profile departures of Zohore and Bruno Manga arguably overshadowed Cardiff's preparations for this contest.
And, while it's important not to read too much into these sorts of games, this performance will have done little to ease any concerns over City's transfer dealings this summer.
The loss of star centre-back Manga in particular has been hard to take for many Bluebirds fans, and his absence allowed under-23s star Ciaron Brown to be handed a chance to impress from the off in the blistering New Mexico heat.
The youngster couldn't be blamed for the hosts' opener after just two minutes, but Warnock will nevertheless have been unimpressed by the defensive horror show that unfolded.
An early corner sparked chaos inside the penalty area, with Joe Ralls guilty of giving away possession inside the area, allowing Akamatsu to weave his way through and curl it past Neil Etheridge.
Reid whistled an effort past the post as Cardiff sought an instant response, but it was an otherwise disjointed opening 15 minutes from the visitors.
Their failure to get out of second gear in the opening exchanges was nearly punished by Akamatsu again, with the Japanese winger once again taking advantage of some slack defending to work space for a shot, only to slip at the crucial momemnt.
The hosts were enjoying themselves, with star striker Kevaughn Frater leading the way on a resplendent surface that was a million miles away from the pitch experienced in Cardiff's previous game at San Antonio.
The pace of the pitch arguably contributed to Cardiff's early difficulties, with the first 45 minutes littered with mis-placed City passes.
Cardiff did have chances, though.
A great save from Ben Beaury was all that prevented Reid from restoring parity just after half an hour, getting down brilliantly to palm away the forward's low angled drive.
Reid was denied again just minutes later, tapping a teasing Nathaniel Mendez-Laing cross onto the post.
When Josh Murphy was denied a second penalty in as many games just before the break, this had all the hallmarks of being one of those days for Warnock's side.
It got worse after the break as Danny Ward, no doubt hoping to state his own case for replacing the outgoing Zohore, went down following a clash of heads.
The former Rotherham forward appeared okay, but was quickly replaced by Bogle, who made the desired impact just a few minutes later, stepping up to curl a brilliant freekick into the top corner of the net from the edge of the area.
Bogle nearly squeezed in another just minutes later, but his low shot from the tightest of angles was just about kept out by Beaury.
Cardiff could have snatched it late on, with Nelson powering Greg Cunningham's cross into the ground from point-blank range only to see it bounce off the crossbar and away.
A winner would have been harsh on the hosts, who after putting in an impressively spirited performance that will have left Warnock with plenty to digest ahead of Cardiff's final tour game against Real Valladolid out in Edmonton, Canada.
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