Pre-Season Match Report | Cheltenham Town 1-2 Cardiff City
Goals from Mark Harris and Max Watters gave the Bluebirds a comeback victory against Cheltenham Town in our third pre-season friendly fixture of the summer.
In a first half of few opportunities, the hosts came close to a chance on goal through Dan Nlundulu, though Curtis Nelson was able to intervene inside the area.
At the other end, Tom Sang fired a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar, whilst Ryan Wintle and Mahlon Romeo saw shots blocked.
Three minutes before the break, Town took the lead through Liam Sercombe. A quickly-taken free-kick allowed the midfielder to find space inside the area and neatly slot home.
City went close to a leveller through Jack Leahy, who saw a powerful effort tipped onto the crossbar by Shaun MacDonald, though it was the hosts who went in ahead at the interval.
Eli King opened the second half with a strike on goal, though his effort rose over the Cheltenham crossbar.
Minutes before the hour mark, the Bluebirds earned a penalty after a smart run from Mark Harris. The Welsh international chased the ball into the box and was clattered by MacDonald, winning a clear spot-kick.
Harris picked himself up to fire the ball home and level the score; moments later, City boss Steve Morison made eleven changes, introducing a new side for the final thirty minutes.
Max Watters looked to make an instant impact after being introduced from the bench, latching onto Joel Bagan's cross after 66 minutes. However, the striker's header was easily held by MacDonald.
New recruits Romaine Sayers and Callum O'Dowda displayed good link-up play inside the Cheltenham box to work an opportunity, with Sawyers' effort forcing a save from the Town keeper.
With the game heading for a draw, the Bluebirds snatched victory with two minutes to play. A deep cross from Bagan was met by Cédric Kipré, who forced a knock-down which fell to Watters. The striker made no mistake with the finish, giving City a win in the summer sunshine.
Cheltenham Town:MacDonald , Long (Blair 76'), Williams, Bradbury, Freestone, Sercombe, Nlundulu (Brown 61'), Chapman, Adshead (Perry 76'), Lloyd (May 76'), Gyamfi (Horton 65').
Subs not used: Harris, Raglan, Hutchinson, Ebanks, Guinan.
Cardiff City: Alnwick (Phillips 60’), Romeo (Campbell 60’), Nelson (Ng 60’), McGuinness (Kipré 60’), Collins (Bagan 60’), Wintle (Rinomhota 60’), King (Ralls 60’), Sang (Sawyers 60’), Whyte (Ojo 60’), Leahy (O'Dowda 60’), Harris (Watters 60’).
Subs not used: Denham, Crole
