Match report for Taff's Well vs Cardiff City
Cardiff City started their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 victory over Taff’s Well.
The Bluebirds fielded two teams per half in the game as Neil Warnock looked to experiment with several squad players making their City debut.
Cardiff fielded four new signings in what was a strong side against the Wellmen. The away side kicked off the first half with debutant Nathaniel Mendez-Laing looking lively and the new City winger had the first chance of the evening. His low shot was just wide of the Well’s goal. It didn’t take long until the Bluebirds scored the first goal of the game. Great work from Matty Kennedy on the right led to the winger eventually delivering a ball to Anthony Pilkington, who volleyed superbly into the top right corner. The keeper did get a small touch but it wasn’t enough to prevent City’s first goal of pre-season. Pilkington was withdrawn on 13 minutes following a knock, with young prospect James Waite taking his place.
City enjoyed a good spell of possession with new midfielder Loïc Damour displaying a dominant role in the centre of the park. The Frenchman was key in his box-to-box role.
Taff’s Well demonstrated increased pressure as the game progressed.A dangerous free-kick was whipped into City’s box and Ricky Hodges’ deflected effort forced a fine save from new shot stopper Neil Etheridge.
Both fullbacks for City were superb in denying the Welsh league side space on the wing throughout the first half. Joe Bennett and Cameron Coxe showed their attacking capabilities and were defensively sound for the Championship outfit.
Mendez-Laing was next to test the Taff’s Well goal with a shot that went just wide. The new signing also showcased his promising ability with good runs and passing.
Kennedy was extremely lively in the latter stages of the half. The winger produced a powerful left footed shot on 45 minutes, which was saved well by the opposition.
City made nine changes at half time, with only Etheridge & Coxe maintaining their place in the team as the Wellman restarted the game.
The Bluebirds were dominant in possession once again after the restart despite increased pressure from Lee Bridgeman’s side. Ibrahim Meite produced exciting runs and skill as he looks to impress Warnock in this pre-season opener and went close on a number of occasions In the second period.
Both Stuart O’Keefe and Craig Noone saw missed efforts in the second period as they looked to get City’s second. O’Keefe had a powerful shot blocked while Noone had an acrobatic attempt go just wide of a goal as well as a curling effort go just over with time running out.
With both teams still pressing for a goal, the referee blew his whistle, the game finishing 1-0 to the Bluebirds. Over 2,000 supporters in attendance as Cardiff City and Taff’s Well put on an enjoyable display, raising a considerable amount of money for charity in the process.
FINAL SCORE: TAFF'S WELL 0-1 CARDIFF CITY
Taff’s Well: Gould, Thomas, Mohsin, Hodge, McDonnall, Toghill, Evans, W. Jones, Burnett M. Jones, Junior Mdwezo. Subs: Johnson, Howard, Shaw, Fofana, Read.
Cardiff City First Half: Etheridge, Coxe, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett, Ralls, Damour, Kennedy, Mendez-Laing, Pilkington (Waite), Ward.
Cardiff City Second Half: Etheridge (Byrne), Young, Manga, Connolly, Abbruzzese, O’Keefe, Waite (Humphries), Noone, John, Meite, M. Harris.
Subs Not Used: Weymans.
