Match Report | Bristol Rovers 0-2 Cardiff City
The Bluebirds’ final pre-season game before the start of the 2024/25 campaign ended in a 2–0 victory over Bristol Rovers.
Two sublime strikes from Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ralls secured victory for City.
The first chance of the match came the way of the Bluebirds, as Ollie Tanner burst past left-back Clinton Mola and drove into the box, before firing inches wide. At the other end, the hosts replied with an opportunity of their own, with Promise Omochere turning in the area, but striking wide.
Some brilliant build-up from Erol Bulut’s men then saw summer recruit Chris Willock break into the box. The winger’s cutback just evaded Yakou Méïté, before Tanner had a close-range effort saved by goalkeeper Josh Griffiths. City striker Méïté was next to go close, heading Callum O’Dowda’s cross goalwards, forcing Griffiths to tip onto the bar.
With 28 minutes on the clock, the Bluebirds took the lead, as a fantastic strike from Ramsey found the top corner from distance. City continued to look dangerous going forward and went close to swiftly doubling the advantage, this time from a set-piece. An inch-perfect delivery from the skipper Ralls was headed goalwards by Dimitrios Goutas, but kept out by Griffiths.
In the second half, Méïté continued to cause problems for the hosts’ defence, as he headed Perry Ng’s cross goalwards, forcing another save from Griffiths. In the 56th minute, the Bluebirds doubled the lead with another brilliant goal, Captain Ralls curled a stunning strike into the top corner.
Substitute Rubin Colwill went close to making an instant impact with a thunderous strike towards goal, which flew just past the post. With ten minutes left, midfielder Ralls played a shrewd ball through for Cian Ashford, who was denied by goalkeeper Griffiths.
A positive performance and two brilliant goals saw the Bluebirds end pre-season with victory. City begin the 2024/25 Sky Bet Championship campaign by hosting Sunderland on Saturday, August 10th, 12.30pm KO.
FINAL SCORE: BRISTOL ROVERS 0–2 CARDIFF CITY
Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Senior (Hunt 64’), Moore (Taylor 80’), Wilson, Mola, Sinclair (Shaw 73’), Ward (Lindsay 64’), Omochere (Thomas 64’), Hutchinson (McCormick 64’), Conteh (Garrett 64’), Bilongo. Subs not used: Hall, Taylor.
Cardiff City: Horvath, Ng, Chambers (Bagan 64’), Goutas, O’Dowda (Giles 84’), Siopis, Ralls © (King 84’), Ramsey (Colwill 64’), Tanner (Conte 72’), Willock (Ashford 64’), Méïté (Kanga 72’). Subs not used: Alnwick, Dennis, Gbadehan, Kpakio, T. Davies.