Report: Fans turn out for pre-season opener
A young Bluebirds side began pre-season preparations with a 3-0 win away to Taff’s Well at a capacity-packed Rhiw’r Ddar on Friday night.
A brace from Rhys Healey and a goal from substitute trialist Scott McLean gave the Bluebirds an ideal start to their pre-season campaign.
It was a first half of dominance from City, whose first clear cut opportunity came eight minutes into the first period; Healey’s free kick at this juncture was palmed away to safety by Wellmen ‘keeper Stephen Hall.
The visitors nearly broke the deadlock after 13 minutes when Jamie Veale’s delightful corner found the head of Ciaron Brown, whose header was cleared off the line to keep the scores level.
The Bluebirds’ first half dominance was finally rewarded after 20 minutes. Veale’s cross found team mate Healey, who fired home from two yards into an empty net to give the visitors a deserved lead.
City nearly went two ahead moments later, but for some fine goalkeeping from Wellmen shot stopper, Hall. The ‘keeper first denied Bluebirds centre back Brown’s darting header and then immediately palmed away Jack McKay’s effort to keep the score line at 1-0.
The visitors then squandered a good opportunity from the spot, ten minutes before the break. Healey was too-hot-to-handle in the build-up to the penalty being awarded and was bought down by Lloyd Toghill; the striker couldn’t capitalise though, Hall’s stunning save ensuring it remained 1-0 at the break.
The Bluebirds made wholesale changes at half-time, with only Lee Camp, Healey and McKay retaining their places. City began second half proceedings as they left off, though, and doubled their lead two minutes after the restart. Second half substitute trialist Ryan Pryce found Healey, who cut inside and slid the ball under the goalkeeper for his second of the game
Taff’s Well had their moments in the second half, though the Bluebirds added a third shortly before the final whistle. Scott McLean found the top right-hand corner of the net from a Laurence Wootton cross to complete proceedings on an evening that raised valuable funds for Velindre Cancer Centre and Rookwood Hospital.
Highlights available to view now on Cardiff City TV...
The Bluebirds’ senior and U23 sides will now head to Cornwall to step up pre-season preparations. Follow the full tour, throughout the week, via cardiffcityfc.co.uk and Cardiff City TV.
