Pre-Season Match Report | Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 Cardiff City
Cardiff City’s 2023/24 pre-season campaign closed with a goalless draw against Wycombe Wanderers in Joe Jacobson’s Testimonial Match.
The left-back came through the ranks at City’s Academy and has over 300 league appearances for the Chairboys; his achievements were recognised with a guard of honour prior to kick-off.
Manager Erol Bulut named a strong starting XI, which included summer signings Dimitrios Goutas, Aaron Ramsey, Karlan Grant and Iké Ugbo.
City almost took the lead inside two minutes, as Sheyi Ojo picked up the ball and drove towards the box, before having an effort tipped wide by goalkeeper Max Stryjek. In another attack, midfielder Ryan Wintle tried his luck from distance, firing over the woodwork.
The hosts grew into the contest and forced a chance through Brandon Hanlan, who cut inside in the box, only to be denied by a fine block from Greek international Goutas.
A further attack for the Chairboys saw Hanlan lead a break forward, but Ojo produced a fantastic tackle to relieve the danger.
Before the break, the Bluebirds went close to taking the lead through Ramsey, who, on his first start since rejoining City, almost found the net with an audacious flick from Grant’s cross.
The hosts also had a chance before the interval, with Hanlan finding Dale Taylor in the box, whose deflected effort was caught by Ryan Allsop.
At the start of the second period, the Chairboys had an opportunity to fire at goal with a free-kick on the edge of the area. With Jacobson stepping up, the left-back fired just over the woodwork.
City replied with a dangerous attack, as Grant found space on the left to cross to the back post, with Ugbo heading just wide.
In his testimonial match, Jacobson was substituted on the hour-mark, with an ovation from all corners of the ground. City’s Grant then went close to opening the scoring, driving towards the box and forcing Stryjek into a save with a powerful effort at goal.
At the other end, Jack Grimmer found space on the edge of the area to fire a dangerous strike towards goal, which Jak Alnwick tipped over the bar.
Substitute Kion Etete went close to making an instant impact, as the ball fell kindly to the striker from Wintle’s corner, only for Richard Keogh to make a fine block.
In the final five minutes, substitute Tjay De Barr almost capitalised on a mistake at the back for the Bluebirds, but Goutas made a fantastic goal-line clearance, which ensured the contest ended goalless.
FINAL SCORE: WYCOMBE WANDERERS 0—0 CARDIFF CITY
Wycombe Wanderers: Stryjek, Grimmer, Jacobson © (Forino 59’), Breckin (Scowen 76’), Leahy (Woodhouse 89’), Boyes (Low 66’), Keogh, Hanlan (Vokes 76’), Potts (Young 76’), Taylor (McCleary 59’), Vincent-Young (De Barr 76’).
Subs not used: Shala.
Cardiff City: Allsop (Alnwick 54’), Ng (Romeo 70’), Goutas, Simpson (Benjamin 82’), O’Dowda (Collins 70’), Wintle, Adams (Rinomhota 61’), Ramsey © (Robinson 61’), Ojo (Evans 70’), Grant (Tanner 70’), Ugbo (Etete 70’).
