MATCH PREVIEW: SHREWSBURY V CARDIFF CITY

Match Previews

Shrewsbury Town vs Cardiff City
Venue: The New Meadow
Date: Saturday, 18th July 2015, 2pm kick-off.

Russell Slade's Cardiff City side travel to Shrewsbury Town on Saturday afternoon for their second pre-season match ahead of the 2015/16 campaign.


THE OPPOSITION

Micky Mellon celebrated his first season in charge at the New Meadow by leading Shrewsbury Town back to the third tier at the first attempt, finishing second in the table on 89 points, five behind eventual Champions, Burton Albion. The 43-year-old Scot has had a busy summer so far, introducing eight new signings to the Club.



Forward James Collins, in his second spell at the Club, top scored for Salop in the 2014/15 season with 17 goals and could be partnered in attack on Saturday by new loan signing Liam McAlinden, who recently joined on a six month loan deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Micky Mellon has also introduced two defensive signings in Matt Tootle and Mat Sadler, moving to the New Meadow from Crewe and Rotherham respectively. Shrewsbury have also picked up three new midfielders during the summer months in former Dagenham & Redbridge captain Abu Ogogo, creative Luton man Shaun Whalley and Martin Woods, who signed on a free from SPL side, Ross County. Junior Brown (ex-Mansfield Town) and Darren McKnight (formerly with Barnsley) complete the new crop of Shrews to date.

While the Shrews were in Shropshire Cup action at Market Drayton last week, Saturday's match is their official pre-season opener.


CLUB CONNECTIONS



The traveling Bluebirds support are likely to be reunited on Saturday with a familiar face in Shrewsbury Town captain, Liam Lawrence. The Republic of Ireland international made 13 appearances for Cardiff during a loan spell from Portsmouth in 2011/12, netting what turned out to be his only goal for City in a 1-0 win over Burnley in April 2012. Salop boss Mellon convinced Lawrence to join the Club back at the start of the 2014/15 season, and the creative midfielder was instrumental in their promotion winning season, playing 33 times.

Further connections include winger Paul Parry, and Simon Haworth, who agreed to join the Midlands side in a voluntary striking coach capacity in 2014. While Cardiff City Academy graduates Joe Jacobson and Aaron Wildig have also spent time with Shrewsbury Town since leaving the Welsh Capital. Jacobson now plying his trade at Wycombe Wanderers, while Wildig left the New Meadow in the summer to join Morecambe on a permanent deal.



MEMORABLE MEETING



2000/01 - Saturday, 28th April, Division Three.
Result: Cardiff City 3-1 Shrewsbury Town - Ninian Park. Att. 12,188.

The 2000/01 campaign was arguable Scott Young's best in a Cardiff City shirt. Before his days as caretaker and assistant manager, 'Youngy' hit his purple patch in front of goal back in 2000, netting ten times in the league (12 in all competitions) as the Bluebirds secured promotion from Division Three - including two goals against the Shrews on an incredible day at Ninian Park. 2000/01 top goal-scorer and Bluebirds legend Robert Earnshaw also firing home on the day.

Cardiff City: Walton, McCulloch, Young, Gabbidon, Evans, Perrett, Boland, Brayson, Earnshaw, Fortune-West. Subs: Low, Bonner, Bowen, Legg, Weston.

Shrewsbury Town: Dunbavin, Wilding, Tretton, Drysdale, Peer, Rioch, Tolley, Redmile, Murray, Edwards, Rodgers. Subs: Hanmer, Jagielka, Lowe, Jemson, Aiston.



DON'T MISS A MOMENT

TICKETS: Purchases can be made on the gate, though we do advise purchase through the Cardiff City Ticket Office - large queues are expected on the gate. Full ticket details >>>AWAY DAYS: SHREWSBURY

LISTEN: Supporters can listen in live on Cardiff City Player HD* from 1:50pm, with Mark Denham and Ashley James sharing all the action.

WATCH: Extended highlights of our second pre-season friendly, against Shrewsbury Town, will be available to subscribers of Cardiff City Player HD*.

SOCIAL: Live updates from the New Meadow will come via our official Twitter account, @CardiffCityFC.

*Search ‘FLI Player’ on the App Store or Google Play Store to download the Cardiff City Player HD App, with content available to subscribers 24/7.