Pre-Season Report | Cardiff City 1-1 Cambridge United
Cardiff City remain unbeaten in their 2023/24 pre-season campaign, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Cambridge United in a behind closed doors friendly.
Callum Robinson put the hosts in front in the second half, only for Cambridge to equalise in stoppage time through Gassan Ahadme.
Erol Bulut made several changes to the team started the first half against TNS, with the likes of Rubin Colwill and Ryan Allsop coming in for Callum Robinson and Jak Alnwick.
It was the Bluebirds who fashioned out the first chance of the game. Sheyi Ojo picked up the ball on the wing before dinking a cross into the box and onto the head of Kion Etete, but the striker could only fire at the keeper.
Over on the other wing, City were a danger too. Perry Ng played a neat ball round the corner to Kieron Evans, but his effort rose over the bar.
Ojo once again tried his best to open the scoring as he carved open some space on the edge of the box for a shot, but the ball trickled narrowly wide of the post.
The visitors hardly threatened Ryan Allsop’s goal, but at the other end, the Bluebirds couldn’t find a goal to put themselves ahead at the break.
While not having a clear cut chance on goal during the first half, Cambridge started the second half well and had the ball in the back of the net within a few minutes, only for the referee to rule it out for a foul in the area.
On the hour mark, the Bluebirds made eleven changes, with the likes of Mahlon Romeo, Andy Rinomhota, Joel Colwill and Robinson entering the fray.
With 15 minutes remaining, City took the lead. Ollie Tanner progressed well down the wing, before smartly cutting the ball back towards the penalty spot.
The ball landed at the feet of Robinson, who tapped home from close range.
With the Bluebirds looking good for their third win in pre-season, they were dealt a sucker punch in stoppage time.
A ball from deep found Gassan Ahadme lurking at the far post, who managed to turn the ball narrowly past Jak Alnwick, as Erol Bulut’s side had to settle for a draw.
The Bluebirds will next face Bristol Rovers on Tuesday in another behind closed doors friendly.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 1-1 CAMBRIDGE UNITED
Cardiff City (First 60 minutes): Allsop, Ng, McGuinness, Simpson, Bagan, Wintle, Ralls ©, R. Colwill, Ojo, Evans, Etete.
Cardiff City (Final 30 minutes): Alnwick, Romeo, Benjamin, King, T. Davies, Adams, Rinomhota, Tanner, Robinson, J. Colwill, Watters.
Cambridge United (First half): Stevens, L. Bennett, R. Bennett, Beckett, Dunk, Digby, Hoddle, Brophy, Lankester, Barton, Okenabirhie.
Cambridge United (Second half): Mannion, Scales, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew, Thomas, Simper, Janneh McConnell, Yearn, Ahadme.
