Pre-Season Report | City 2-0 Penybont
Cardiff City began their 2023/24 pre-season campaign with a 2–0 win over Penybont at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Mark McGuinness headed the Bluebirds in front in the first-half, before Ollie Tanner added a second goal with ten minutes left on the clock.
In Erol Bulut’s first match in charge, the City boss named a strong starting XI, before making ten changes at half-time, as the City squad earned invaluable minutes on the pitch.
The Bluebirds forced an early chance through Isaak Davies, who found space in the box to fire at goal, only to be denied by a fine block from Penybont defender Josh Yorwerth. In another opportunity, Kion Etete struck a dangerous low effort from the edge of the box, which goalkeeper Alex Pennock tipped wide. The Bluebirds took the lead from the resulting corner, as McGuinness found the net with a towering header in the 12th minute.
Bulut’s men instantly looked for a second goal and went close two minutes later, as a threaded ball from Callum Robinson sent Etete through, only for defender Mark Little to produce a fine last-ditch tackle. City looked dangerous from set-pieces and struck the woodwork halfway through the first-half, with Etete heading onto the post, leading to Davies having a close-range effort saved by Pennock.
Some intricate build-up saw the Bluebirds create two chances in short succession, as left-back Joel Bagan raced through, whose lifted effort over Pennock was just wide. In another attack, Robinson found space in the area and attempted a chip over Pennock, who was on-hand to make the save. Just before the break, Rubin Colwill had a powerful effort blocked, as City went into the interval with a 1-0 lead.
The Bluebirds made a bright start to the second period, with Kieron Evans cutting inside from the left and finding Perry Ng, whose tame effort was saved by Alex Harris. On the hour-mark, the Cymru Premier outfit had an opportunity through new signing Chris Venables, who struck just wide from the edge of the area. City replied with a chance for Rubin Colwill, who drove forward and fired a powerful effort wide of the post.
Bulut’s side doubled the advantage with 79 minutes on the clock, as Evans’ dangerous cross from the left found Tanner at the back post, who headed into the bottom corner to ensure a winning start to pre-season.
The Bluebirds continue the 2023/24 pre-season campaign by welcoming The New Saints to Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday evening (04/07), 7.30pm KO.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 2–0 PENYBONT
Cardiff City - First Half: Alnwick, Romeo, Bagan, McGuinness, Wintle, Ralls ©, Etete, Ojo, Simpson, Davies, Robinson (R Colwill 32’).
Cardiff City - Second Half: Turner, Tanner, Denham, Adams, Campbell (Benjamin 70’), King, Evans, R Colwill (J Colwill 70’), Rinomhota, Watters, Ng.
Penybont: Pennock (Harris 46’), Little (Borge 63’), Owen (Jefferies 70’), Davies (Carson 86’), Harling (Griffiths 63’), Reffell (Evans 63’), Yorwerth, Clutton (Jones 46’), Reynolds, MacDonald (Kircough 38’), Venables (Trialist 63’).
