“ Cardiff City Today “
Sat Jul 09, 2022 2:05 pm
Cardiff City began their pre-season schedule with a hard-fought 3-2 win over League 1 Cambridge United at the Cardiff International Sports Stadium.
James Collins gave the hosts the lead after 10 minutes, before Harvey Knibbs levelled just before the break, in an opening 45 that saw new signings Andy Rinonhota, Mahlon Romeo and Jamilu Collins all handed a chance to impress.
Both sides named an entirely new XI for the second half, but Cardiff were forced into a change just five minutes after the restart when Ebou Adams, on his debut, was forced off with a suspected shoulder injury.
Max Watters then popped up moments later to restore the hosts' lead, before Joel Bagan added a third with a superb strike 12 minutes from time.
Saikou Janneh pulled one back for the visitors, but Cardiff held on.
As well as a chance to see their heroes, this was also an opportunity for fans to catch a glimpse of the new home shirt, which made its first outing in the sunshine following its official unveiling earlier in the day.
There was much to ponder for Morison, who despite an immense effort in the transfer window is still likely to be on the look out for further additions before the close of the window, with a striker likely to be near the top of his wishlist.
It seems increasingly unlikely James Collins will be in a Cardiff shirt by the time time the curtain raises on the new season, with Derby County understood to be leading the chase for his signature. But, in fairness, he made the most of his opportunity to impress by handing his side the lead.
A neat lay-off from the striker allowed Rinomhota to burst through down the left, before squaring to a waiting James Crole, whose deflected effort fell kindly for Collins inside the box, leaving him with a simple finish.
Cambridge responded reasonably well, enjoying plenty of possession in around the edge of the Cardiff box, but couldn't muster up the penetration needed to test Dillon Phillips in the City goal.
Cardiff continued to have the better chances. Gavin Whyte, another whose future in the capital looks uncertain, curled an effort narrowly over the bar, while Rinomhota thought he'd doubled Cardiff's lead after finding the net with delightful low drive from 20 yards, only for his effort to be chalked off for a freekick to the visitors.
But after plenty of huffing and puffing in the scorching sunshine, Cambridge did find a breakthrough just before half-time. A pinpoint cross from deep from Joe Tarpey found Knibbs from the back post, and he made no mistake in powering his header past Phillips, who was rooted to the spot.
Cardiff were then dealt a further blow just after the break when Adams was forced off with a suspected shoulder injury.
The midfielder received lengthy treatment on the sidelines before eventually making his way back down the tunnel, looking visibly upset while clutching an ice pack.
It's not yet clear how serious his injury is at this stage.
Max Watters went some way to improving the mood, firing into the side-netting before then restoring his team's lead, slotting home from close-range from a marvellous Tom Sang cross.
At the other end, Janneh then stung the palms of Ryan Allsop, one of three other new recruits to receive their first run out in Cardiff blue, with Vontae Daley-Campbell and Ollie Tanner also given an opportunity to make their mark in the second half.
Tanner in particular looked lively down the right hand side as Cardiff continued to assert themselves, and a third goal arrived on 78 minutes. A brilliant sweeping move teed up Bagan on the left-hand side of the penalty area, and he was on hand to belt the ball home.
Watters would have added another were it not for the legs of goalkeeper Will Mannion, with Mark Harris unable to capitalise on the rebound.
Cambridge set up a nervy finish late on after Janneh raced away to score, but it was too little too late as Cardiff held on to mark the start of their pre-season with a win.
City continue their pre-season campaign at home to Newport County on Tuesday night, before hitting the road to take on Cheltenham Town next weekend.
Cardiff City first half: Phillips; Romeo, McGuinness, Denham, Jamilu Collins; Leahy, Wintle, Rinomhota, Whyte; James Collins, Crole
Second half: Allsop; Daley-Campbell, Ng, Nelson, Bagan; King, Adams (J. Colwill 51), Sang; Harris, Watters, Tanner
Subs n/u: Alnwick, Luthra, Semenyo, Benjamin, Wigley,
Cambridge United first half: Holden; Tarpey, Okedina, Jones, Dunk, Digby, Simper, Tracey, Knibbs, Worman, Ironside.
Cambridge United second half: Mannion; Williams, Jobe, Taylor, Haunstrip, O'Neil, May, Yearn, Lankester, Janneh,
James Collins gave the hosts the lead after 10 minutes, before Harvey Knibbs levelled just before the break, in an opening 45 that saw new signings Andy Rinonhota, Mahlon Romeo and Jamilu Collins all handed a chance to impress.
Both sides named an entirely new XI for the second half, but Cardiff were forced into a change just five minutes after the restart when Ebou Adams, on his debut, was forced off with a suspected shoulder injury.
Max Watters then popped up moments later to restore the hosts' lead, before Joel Bagan added a third with a superb strike 12 minutes from time.
Saikou Janneh pulled one back for the visitors, but Cardiff held on.
As well as a chance to see their heroes, this was also an opportunity for fans to catch a glimpse of the new home shirt, which made its first outing in the sunshine following its official unveiling earlier in the day.
There was much to ponder for Morison, who despite an immense effort in the transfer window is still likely to be on the look out for further additions before the close of the window, with a striker likely to be near the top of his wishlist.
It seems increasingly unlikely James Collins will be in a Cardiff shirt by the time time the curtain raises on the new season, with Derby County understood to be leading the chase for his signature. But, in fairness, he made the most of his opportunity to impress by handing his side the lead.
A neat lay-off from the striker allowed Rinomhota to burst through down the left, before squaring to a waiting James Crole, whose deflected effort fell kindly for Collins inside the box, leaving him with a simple finish.
Cambridge responded reasonably well, enjoying plenty of possession in around the edge of the Cardiff box, but couldn't muster up the penetration needed to test Dillon Phillips in the City goal.
Cardiff continued to have the better chances. Gavin Whyte, another whose future in the capital looks uncertain, curled an effort narrowly over the bar, while Rinomhota thought he'd doubled Cardiff's lead after finding the net with delightful low drive from 20 yards, only for his effort to be chalked off for a freekick to the visitors.
But after plenty of huffing and puffing in the scorching sunshine, Cambridge did find a breakthrough just before half-time. A pinpoint cross from deep from Joe Tarpey found Knibbs from the back post, and he made no mistake in powering his header past Phillips, who was rooted to the spot.
Cardiff were then dealt a further blow just after the break when Adams was forced off with a suspected shoulder injury.
The midfielder received lengthy treatment on the sidelines before eventually making his way back down the tunnel, looking visibly upset while clutching an ice pack.
It's not yet clear how serious his injury is at this stage.
Max Watters went some way to improving the mood, firing into the side-netting before then restoring his team's lead, slotting home from close-range from a marvellous Tom Sang cross.
At the other end, Janneh then stung the palms of Ryan Allsop, one of three other new recruits to receive their first run out in Cardiff blue, with Vontae Daley-Campbell and Ollie Tanner also given an opportunity to make their mark in the second half.
Tanner in particular looked lively down the right hand side as Cardiff continued to assert themselves, and a third goal arrived on 78 minutes. A brilliant sweeping move teed up Bagan on the left-hand side of the penalty area, and he was on hand to belt the ball home.
Watters would have added another were it not for the legs of goalkeeper Will Mannion, with Mark Harris unable to capitalise on the rebound.
Cambridge set up a nervy finish late on after Janneh raced away to score, but it was too little too late as Cardiff held on to mark the start of their pre-season with a win.
City continue their pre-season campaign at home to Newport County on Tuesday night, before hitting the road to take on Cheltenham Town next weekend.
Cardiff City first half: Phillips; Romeo, McGuinness, Denham, Jamilu Collins; Leahy, Wintle, Rinomhota, Whyte; James Collins, Crole
Second half: Allsop; Daley-Campbell, Ng, Nelson, Bagan; King, Adams (J. Colwill 51), Sang; Harris, Watters, Tanner
Subs n/u: Alnwick, Luthra, Semenyo, Benjamin, Wigley,
Cambridge United first half: Holden; Tarpey, Okedina, Jones, Dunk, Digby, Simper, Tracey, Knibbs, Worman, Ironside.
Cambridge United second half: Mannion; Williams, Jobe, Taylor, Haunstrip, O'Neil, May, Yearn, Lankester, Janneh,
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Re: “ Cardiff City Today “
Sat Jul 09, 2022 4:58 pm
That Leahy guy had a decent game, think he was the one with no shirt number. Sang also had a very good game when he came on. Phillips is a good keeper, but sometimes today I thought if Oxford pressed a bit harder we would have found ourselves caught out in possession a few times. Didn't learn anything to new, but its the first pre-season game. Will imagine there will be a lot of analysis of players position and such before our game against Newport.
Re: “ Cardiff City Today “
Sat Jul 09, 2022 5:14 pm
Robbiebluebird wrote:That Leahy guy had a decent game, think he was the one with no shirt number. Sang also had a very good game when he came on. Phillips is a good keeper, but sometimes today I thought if Oxford pressed a bit harder we would have found ourselves caught out in possession a few times. Didn't learn anything to new, but its the first pre-season game. Will imagine there will be a lot of analysis of players position and such before our game against Newport.
Lucky we were playing Cambridge then
Re: “ Cardiff City Today “
Sat Jul 09, 2022 6:09 pm
We learnt hell of a lot in my opinion.weve bought a squad full of players who look comfortable in possession and can play football.very pleasing to watch.we are though still short of a centre back and two strikers.
Re: “ Cardiff City Today “
Sat Jul 09, 2022 7:06 pm
skiprat wrote:We learnt hell of a lot in my opinion.weve bought a squad full of players who look comfortable in possession and can play football.very pleasing to watch.we are though still short of a centre back and two strikers.
Those are the 3 missing links for me too mate. Imo the centre back should be positionaly sound s d a good organiser.