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Sam
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gashead eric
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Date: 24/07/2013 7:45 pm Attendance: 1358 Venue: The New Lawn
Rovers edged out in thrilling Cardiff contest
Cardiff City Home
Premier League new boys Cardiff City did just enough to edge out Forest Green in a thrilling pre-season meeting at The New Lawn, writes Richard Joyce.
There was drama from start to finish as David Hockaday’s charges pushed last season’s Championship title winners all the way in a pulsating evening of football that saw the Welsh outfit bring an array of stars to Nailsworth.
The Bluebirds showed their class all evening with some brilliantly taken goals but Rovers never allowed Malky Mackay’s side the opportunity to run away with it in the club’s sixth pre-season outing.
Anthony Barry returned to the starting line up wearing the captain’s armband while visitors Cardiff used two different elevens in what was their first pre-season match since they began their preparations for life in England’s top division.
And it was one of their new summer signings, Andreas Cornelius, who headed them in front after a fine Cardiff move saw Kevin McNaughton’s cross turned in by the Welsh teams new £8.5 million signing.
Rovers’ response saw them take the game by the scruff of the neck and they almost levelled with James Norwood and Dale Bennett going close, but Cardiff showed their superior quality by doubling their lead against the run of play when Nicky Maynard rose highest to head in.
The visitors were at risk of running away with it, but Norwood’s fine individual strike saw Rovers deservedly get back into the game on the stroke of half time.
An entire new Cardiff eleven started the second half with the likes of Craig Bellamy and England international Fraizer Campbell set to offer Rovers defence a new challenge.
And that challenge grew even harder just a couple of minutes in to the new half when Jamie Turley felled Joe Mason on the edge of the box and Peter Whittingham stepped up confidently to slam home a penalty.
Yet again though Forest Green forced their way back into contention and it came courtesy of a fantastic flowing move.
Matty Taylor’s turn and pass fed the on rushing Danny Wright who made no mistake when it came to finishing coolly past Scotland international shot-stopper David Marshall.
Bellamy then went close with a launched effort while Sam Russell made two formidable stops to deny the lively Craig Noone from distance.
He couldn’t deny the attacker from rocketing a tremendous strike past him minutes later though as the former Brighton & Hove Albion man’s perseverance delivered him a quality final product.
Taylor’s work rate at the forefront of Rovers attack was superb all evening, and the front man netted the goal he deserved quarter of an hour from the end.
Excellent footwork from the former Oxford United youngster saw him wriggle free from the Cardiff defence and he slotted an excellent finish past Marshall.
Simon Lappin’s speculative strike flew narrowly over the crossbar late on to conclude an entertaining evening of football which left plenty of encouragement for both managers.
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taffibach
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TizzyDog
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