FA CUP MATCH FACTS: CARDIFF VS COLCHESTER
Club News
1st January
Cardiff City vs Colchester United
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Date: Friday 2nd January 2015, 7:45pm
Cardiff City welcome Colchester United to South Wales for their first match of 2015, and the first third round tie of this season's FA Cup. Tony Humes' side defeated Gosport Borough and Peterborough United to reach round three.
LISTEN LIVE ON CARDIFF CITY PLAYER
Tickets for this match are still available. Please call 0845 345 1400 or buy tickets online now!
FA CUP MATCH FACTS
- Freddie Sears is the current top scorer of Colchester United, with 12 goals in all competitions this season
- Cardiff City will be playing their first Cup tie under the management of Russell Slade
- Peter Whittingham played in the FA Cup Final of 2008 for the Bluebirds, he celebrates 8 years at the Club later this month
- The U's last reached the 4th Rd in 2005/06
- Forward Rhys Healey will be watching this match from the stands, as he currently plays on loan for Colchester from City
KEY OPPOSITION PLAYER: Freddie Sears
Former West Ham United forward Sears has been in fine form at the Weston Homes Community Stadium this term. The winning goal for the Hammers at the age of 18 against Newcastle United shot Sears into the limelight in 2008. Limited playing time saw Freddie leave Upton Park in 2012 and since playing consistently at League 1 level, he has netted 38 times in all competitions for Colchester United, including 12 so far this term.
ONE TO WATCH: George Moncur
Another former West Ham Academy graduate and son of former Hammer John, Moncur agreed a permanent deal with the U's in November 2014 after a successful loan spell. His late winner against Peterborough secured Tony Humes' side their third round spot. He has scored three times this season, and is likely to begin the match on the right side of a four man midfield.
RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS)
Cardiff City: WWDLLD
Last time out: Cardiff City 2-4 Watford - Sunday 28th December 2014, Sky Bet Championship
Cardiff City fell to a 4-2 defeat to Watford at Cardiff City Stadium in their final match of 2014. Adam Le Fondre had nodded City into the lead in a promising opening period, as he diverted Peter Whittingham’s free kick past Heurelho Gomes. However, Watford sprang into life just before the break to hit City twice in quick succession. Adlène Guedioura’s strike was followed up by Odion Ighalo’s close-range header as the Hornets grabbed the half-time advantage. In the second half, City’s hopes of salvaging anything from the game were thwarted when Guedioura stepped up again to smash a thunderous effort past Marshall from 30 yards. Gabriele Angella’s powerful header then secured the points for the Hornets, before Kenwyne Jones’s late consolation.
Cardiff City: Marshall, Brayford, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, John, Gunnarsson (Ralls, 61), Whittingham, Adeyemi (Harris, 61), Noone, Le Fondre (Macheda, 77), Jones. Subs Not Used: Moore, Fabio, Connolly, Turner.
LWLWLDColchester United:
Last time out: Crawley Town 0-0 Colchester United – Sunday 28th December 2014, Sky Bet League 1
Tony Humes’ side were unable to find a way past Dean Saunders’ Crawley Town despite intense pressure throughout this League 1 clash. The U’s hit the woodwork in this match on three separate occasion, George Moncur striking the post in the first half before Freddie Sears struck the post and crossbar in the second period for Colchester.
Colchester United: Walker, Clohessy, Gorkss, Eastman, Gordon (Kpekawa, 78), Moncur, Hewitt (Watt, 75), Fox, Szmodics, Sears, Massey. Subs Not Used: Eastmond, Lewington, Healey, Bonne, Lapslie.
LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING
2007/08: Saturday 15th March, Championship: Colchester United 1-1 Cardiff City
Johnnie Jackson's late equaliser denied Cardiff all three points, ending Colchester's run of five straight defeats. Paul Parry had earlier given the Bluebirds a one-goal lead with his ninth of the season but the U's struck back through Jackson following Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's sending off to seal a point. This draw came just one week after City's FA Cup Quarterfinal win over Middlesbrough.
Cardiff defeated the U's 4-1 in the alternate fixture in 2007, Peter Whittingham, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Stephen Thompson were on target, with Adam Virgo's own goal also aiding City in victory.
Colchester United: Gerken, Ifil, Heath, Virgo, White (Vernon, 84), Duguid, Hammond, Jackson, Elito (Wordsworth, 87), Lisbie, Platt. Subs Not Used: Bankole, Balogh, Izzet.
Cardiff City: Enckelman, Blake, Johnson, Loovens, Capaldi, Whittingham (Sinclair, 66), Rae, Ramsey (Scimeca, 77), Ledley (Thompson, 78), Hasselbaink, Parry. Subs Not Used: Oakes, Purse.
Tickets for this match are still available. Please call 0845 345 1400 or buy tickets online now!
